The Mayaw-mayaw festival is a stylized dance based on an ancient ritual during the pre-Spanish time that is still practiced today in Pinabacdao by local farmers, schools, civic groups and barangays.

It is a celebration of thanksgiving highlighted by a dance and drama contests, cultural presentations and street dancing competition.

Mayaw is basically a pagan sacrificial rite. It is performed by a "tambalan" or "tamyawan" in Waray at a request of a client. It is said that a "tambalan" is a person that is in contact with the spirit world and is possessed of healing powers derived from such contact. He is supposed to have the power to communicate with good or bad spirits.

The mayaw is always accompanied by the beating of drums with the sounds of bamboo flutes and other locally designed musical instruments.

;font-size: medium;">The municipality of Pinabacdao is located in Samar. It is the center of rice production of the province.

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photos/source/reference: Mayaw-mayaw festival file photo from pia.gov.ph