History and Legend of Ati-atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan

It's the Sto Nino month once again this time of year so I'm sharing pictures of the Ati-atihan festival in Kalibo in 2004 (using a borrowed Pentax digital camera from an officemate. 'twas only a few months later when I bought my first digicam: the Canon Ixus IIs)

The Ati-atihan Festival is a centuries old tradition of Aklanons commemorating the arrival of the 10 datus from Borneo.

What was once a legendary celebration whose story, handed down through oral tradition, was later turned by the Spanish colonizers into a religious festival honoring the Sto Nino. It's present form is a mixture of religious celebration, hedonistic revelries and bacchanalian festivities. What sets apart this festival from the Sinulog of Cebu is that people can be part of the grand parade of colors and not merely spectators and kibitzers.




The legend of the Ten Datus from Borneo is generally accepted by modern historians but the story of the barter of Panay with Datu Puti, leader of the ten Bornean datus on board balanghays, gave Marikudo, the local chieftain, a golden salakot in exchange for occupying the land, is now debunked due to claims that the Ati people, up to this time, are basically gatherers of the land and do not engage in land possession.

Modern historians also argue that if the indeed the golden salakot was really given, it would have been just a gift and not a barter in exchange for "land titles."

So many things I learned about history taught me by my teachers that are no longer accepted yet I still see many of them being passed around like the hoaxes of Kalantiaw, Maragtas and so many others. I wish to find the time to post them here.

By the way, if you don't have the time and money to catch a plane for the upcoming Dinagyang in Iloilo, why not set out on a journey to my hometown, Paete, to witness another celebration in honor of the Sto Nino where people douse each other with water particularly those wearing red.

The festivity, called Salibanda, held on the last Sunday of January, ends with a fluvial procession on the shores of Laguna de Bay. This celebration, like almost everything else, reeks with fanaticism bordering on idolatry having lost the true spirit of celebration.

Also Recommend protecting your expensive cameras from water or better bring waterproof ones :)