ATI-ATIHAN

Being an archipelago, the Philippines has many advantages and one of these is to have an array of festivities. The country has cultural, indigenous influence or non religious and religious festivals in all three major islands: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

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One of the most popular and colorful festival across all the Philippine islands, the Ati Atihan festival of the Visayas.

The Ati-Atihan festival is an annual celebration in honor of the the Holy image Santo Niño (infant Jesus) in Kalibo, the capital city of Aklan. It is the mother of all festivals in the Philippines. The very first Ati Atihan festival was held to seal a pact between two races, the Malays from Borneo and Panay island’s Atis. The Malays painted their faces and arms with black soot to look more like their hosts to show gratefulness for the warm welcome. This festival has been observed since then in Kalibo to commemorate the peace treaty that happened years ago. Ati Atihan festival participants paint their entire body black and finish with colorful and artful face paint. They also wear festive costumes and there are loud tribal music and lots of street dancing. Because of its ultimately fun merry making and very festive atmosphere, it has also been called the “Mardi Gras of the Philippines”.  Expect that the locals will serve their best food and drinks. Aklan is known for its seafoods and who wouldn’t love to eat fresh lobsters and crabs by the sea? Boracay also becomes the venue for huge concerts for local Philippine bands to add to the celebration of Ati Atihan.

Written By: Beth Javines