|
The
pintados (painted ones), inhabitants of the Visayan
islands as described by the first Spaniards to set eyes
upon them, would use sharp metal instruments previously
heated over fire. This is the scene from history that
the Pintados-Kasadyahan Festival pays tribute to, which
were testaments to their courage and heroism.
The Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival is a merry-making event
lasting a whole month, highlights of which include the
Leyte Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals, the Pintados
Festival Ritual Dance Presentation and the "Pagrayhak''
Grand Parade. These festivals are said to have began
from the feast day of Señor Santo Niño, held every June
29th. The Leyteños celebrate a religious festival in a
unique and colorful way. Since the Visayans are
experienced in the art of body tattooing, men and women
are fond of tattooing themselves.
The Pintados festival of Tacloban City is a Filipino
festival with its own unique flavor. This Pintados
festival recalls Pre-Spanish history of the native
Leytenos from wars, epics and folk religions. The most
expected aspect of the Pintados festival are the festive
dancers, painted from head to toe with designs that look
like armor to resemble the tattooed warriors of old.
During the course of the Pintados festival, dancers
whose bodies are painted in an amazing array of colors
fill the streets of Tacloban city. At first sight, they
may seem outrageous as grown men pour into the streets
decorated in such dazzling colors as luminous blue or
neon green. But as one gets used to this and sees the
dances depicted, one gets a glimpse of the history of
the people that once lived on the islands of Leyte so
long ago. |
