The Ati-Atihan Fiestas
The Ati-Atihan Festival is a feast held in honor of the Santo Niño held annually in January in different towns of the Philippine's province of Aklan. The most known is the fiesta in Kalibo, but there are others like Makato or Ibajai.
A 13th century (c.1212 AD) event explains the origins of the festival. A small group of Malay datus, fleeing Borneo, were sold some land by the Ati people, the original inhabitants of Panay Island. The new arrivals celebrated the event at a great feast by painting themselves black to look like them.
The Ati are still distinguishable today by their dark skin and curly hair, and the name "Ati-Atihan" translates as "To be like an Ati". It is considered to be, "The Mother of all Philippine Festivals" which was eventually copied by other similar celebrations across the Philippines.
Enough wise words - let's fiesta! Click on the pictures to enlarge or the videoclips to listen and see the people dancing.
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| The Ati people live high up in the mountains of Panay. During the year they aren't seen often in the lowlands. They come down from the valleys during the annual Santo Niño Ati-Atihan festivals and sell their goods such as necklaces, earrings, homemade medicine and more. | |
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| During the period of collonialism the Spanish priests knew very well how to join inigenous fiestas and religious celebrations. This is why the Santo Niño Ati-Atihan festivals always start wit a mass. When the final "Amen" is pronounced, the hot rythms of the drums start to transform the visitors in a vibrating batch of bodies. | |
Ati-Atihan Faces |
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Ati-Atihan Images |
Ati-Atihan Videos |
 The MAHARUKA dancers. |
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to see this movie. The MAHARUKA dancers in action. |
 A young MAHARUKA dancer. |
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to see this movie. The MAHARUKA dancers and drummers in action. |
 A young CALANGCANG girl |
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to see this movie. The CALANGCANG dancers and drummers in action. |
 Gambling kids. |
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to see this movie. A girlie group in action. |
Our live coverage from Makato's Ati-Atihan from Tuesday 2007-01-15 |
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