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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 Niņo, 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
Niņo. Three days of parades lead up to the main
procession that starts in the church on Sunday
afternoon. The parades are colorful and vibrant, much
like the Mardi Gras carnival in Brazil. |
