Philippine Fiesta: The Ati-atihan Festival
The Ati-Atihan, held every third Sunday of January in the town of Kalibo, Aklan , is the wildest among Philippine fiestas. Celebrants paint their faces with black soot and wear bright, outlandish and intricate costumes as they dance in revelry during the last three days of this two week-long festival. The Ati-Atihan, a feast in honor of the Santo Niño, is celebrated on the second Sunday after Epiphany.
A 13th century 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.
Ati-Atihan was originally a pagan festival. Missionaries gradually added Christian meaning. Today, Ati-Atihan is celenbrated in honor of the Christ Child, the Santo Niño. Three
Click here to continue reading
