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Ati-Atihan 2011

The famous “Mother of All Festivals,” the Ati Atihan Festival has been celebrated for more than 700 years now and still soaring as the main festivals of the country. This feast is held annually in January in honor of the Santo Nino or the Holy Infant Jesus, concluding on the third Sunday, in the island and town of Kalibo , Aklan. The festival consists of tribal dance, music, accompanied by indigenous costumes and weapons, and parade and partying along the street which is also locally known as “Sadsad”, where everybody is welcome to join the parade and experience the lively and upbeat dancing, music and other cheerful activities.

The word “Ati Atihan” means “to be like an Ati,” and covering the body with charcoals or black grease or body painting to have the appearance of an Ati. Black is the most outstanding colour during the Festival, and “black dancers” identify the Ati Atihan Festival from other Philippine festivals.



HISTORY
Ati Atihan Festival started when a group of Malayan “datus” or chieftains from the neighboring Borneo , found a place of safety and protection when they escaped their tyrant king in their homeland. When they arrived in the island of Panay , where Aklan is located, it was inhabited by the Atis. Diplomatic and courteous as they were, the Bornean datus made a pact with the king of the Aeta, Marikudo, to settle in their land. In exchange for some gifts, specifically a golden hat locally known as “salakut” for Marikudo and an anklet for Marikudo’s wife, the Atis agreed to settle in the highlands leaving the lowlands to the new settlers. To celebrate the new relationship between the Atis and the Malays, they danced and drank day-in-and-day-out. At that time, the Atis were celebrating their good harvest, and so to join in the celebration, the Malays covered their bodies with soot to appear dark-skinned just like the Atis. Hence, the first Ati Atihan Festival was born—which is still going 700 years later.

When the Spaniards came to the Philippines to convert the natives to Catholicism, they performed the native Ati Atihan. Today, the tribal festivity also has its own religious aspect, and some devotees carry images of the Holy Child and dance their petitions to God for the success of their children and their business.

The famous “Mother of All Festivals,” the Ati Atihan Festival has been celebrated for more than 700 years now and still soaring as the main festivals of the country. This feast is held annually in January in honor of the Santo Nino or the Holy Infant Jesus, concluding on the third Sunday, in the island and town of Kalibo , Aklan. The festival consists of tribal dance, music, accompanied by indigenous costumes and weapons, and parade and partying along the street which is also locally known as “Sadsad”, where everybody is welcome to join the parade and experience the lively and upbeat dancing, music and other cheerful activities.

The word “Ati Atihan” means “to be like an Ati,” and covering the body with charcoals or black grease or body painting to have the appearance of an Ati. Black is the most outstanding colour during the Festival, and “black dancers” identify the Ati Atihan Festival from other Philippine festivals.


HISTORY
Ati Atihan Festival started when a group of Malayan “datus” or chieftains from the neighboring Borneo , found a place of safety and protection when they escaped their tyrant king in their homeland. When they arrived in the island of Panay , where Aklan is located, it was inhabited by the Atis. Diplomatic and courteous as they were, the Bornean datus made a pact with the king of the Aeta, Marikudo, to settle in their land. In exchange for some gifts, specifically a golden hat locally known as “salakut” for Marikudo and an anklet for Marikudo’s wife, the Atis agreed to settle in the highlands leaving the lowlands to the new settlers. To celebrate the new relationship between the Atis and the Malays, they danced and drank day-in-and-day-out. At that time, the Atis were celebrating their good harvest, and so to join in the celebration, the Malays covered their bodies with soot to appear dark-skinned just like the Atis. Hence, the first Ati Atihan Festival was born—which is still going 700 years later.

When the Spaniards came to the Philippines to convert the natives to Catholicism, they performed the native Ati Atihan. Today, the tribal festivity also has its own religious aspect, and some devotees carry images of the Holy Child and dance their petitions to God for the success of their children and their business.