Ati-atihan festival – the mother of all festival

History of the ati-atihan festival

A 13th century (c.1200 A.D.) event explains the origins of the festival. A group of 10 Malay chieftains called Datus, fleeing from the island of Borneo settled in the Philippines, and were granted settlement by the Ati people, the tribes of Panay Island. Datu Puti, Makatunaw's chief minister made a trade with the natives and bought the plains for a golden salakot, brass basins and bales of cloth. For the wife of the Ati chieftain, they gave a very long necklace. Feasting and festivities followed soon after.

Some time later, the Ati people were struggling with famine as the result of a bad harvest. They were forced to descend from their mountain village into the settlement below, to seek the generosity of the people who now lived there. The Datus obliged and gave them food. In return, the Ati danced and sang for them, grateful for the gifts they had been given.

The misoln was originally a pagan festival from this tribe practicing Animism, and their worshiping their anito god. Spanish missionaries gradually added a Christian meaning. Today, the Ati-Atihan is celebrated as a religious festival.

The Ati-Atihan Festival is a feast held annually in January in honor of the Santo Niño (Infant Jesus), concluding on the third Sunday, in the island and town of Kalibo, Aklan in the Philippines. The name "Ati-Atihan" means "to be like Aetas" or "make believe Ati's." Aetas were the primary settlers in the islands according to history books. They too are the earliest settlers of Panay Island where the province of Aklan is situated.

The Ati-Atihan, a feast in honor of the Santo Niño, is celebrated on the second Sunday after Epiphany. Catholics observe this special day with processions, parades, dancing, and merrymaking. The Santo Niño has long been the favorite of Filipinos and devotion to it has been intense ever since an image was first presented to Juana, Queen of Cebu, in 1521.

The festival consists of tribal dance, music, accompanied by indigenous costumes and weapons, and parade along the street. Christians and non-Christians observe this day with religious processions. It has inspired many other Philippine Festivals including the Sinulog Festival of Cebu and Dinagyang of Iloilo, both adaptations of the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival.

The people are joining the "sadsad".

Kalibo’s way of celebrating the ati-atihan

VIVA KAY SEÑOR STO.NIÑO!

Repeated shouts of "Viva kay Santo Niño!" and placards carried around with the same slogan make it known to everybody that this profane merriment is the participants' raucous way of honoring the Santo Niño.

The pounding of bass drums and the rhythmic tinkling of metal and stone on bottles reverberate in the air during the celebration. Monotonous and pulsating, the music blasts a while then stops to wait for a response from others. Drums beat continuously and everyone talks and shouts,

HALA BIRA, PUERA PASMA!

By midmorning, small groups gather in their respective neighborhoods. They are prodded by drums as they dance their way to the town center. They grow in numbers as different groups from outlying areas merge into one as they get closer to the center of town. Sometimes the crowd thins as a few drops out to worship in silence and offer themselves to their own gods. But they always come back to rejoin the group to disappear in the gyrating mob. The dancing never stops.

All week long, celebrants arrive by land, sea, and air. As inter-island boats dock, they are greeted by pseudo-New Guinea tribal drummers. Tourists are ferried across rice fields and coconut plantations to Kalibo hotels while others are accommodated in private homes and public buildings. Others camp on the beach. By weekend all accommodations are gone although there seems to be no need for them as nobody bothers to sleep anyway.

There is music everywhere and the rowdy crowd often finds it inside improvised halls dancing all night long. The steady beat of drums can sometimes be heard late in the night as a lone drummer is suddenly inspired to pick up the rhythm. Or perhaps it is only the drum in his own head that one hears as alcohol begins to numb the senses.

Activities before and after the ati-atihan

9 DAYS NOVENA

Faithful pay homage to the Señor Santo Niño de Kalibo for a nine-day devotional novena in the Cathedral Parish of Saint John the Baptist, marking the start of the religious celebration of the glorious Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan festival.

PAEAPAK

A unique age-old Christian tradition where a Catholic priest or a lay minister rubs all parts of a devotee’s body with the image of the miraculous Señor Santo Niño de Kalibo. It attracts devotees from all faiths worldwide for it is believed to heal both body and soul.

MUTYA AG LAKAN IT KALIBO ATI-ATIHAN 2013 GRAND PAGEANT FINALE AND CORONATION NIGHT

Eagerly awaited grand finale where equally young and talented finalists in the running to be crowned the Mutya ag Lakan it Kalibo Ati-Atihan 2013. A mix of beauty and brains, twenty-four aspirants will fulfill their dreams in an evening of glamour and star-studded coronation night.

AKLAN FESTIVALS PARADE

A celebration of the diverse, fascinating and captivating Aklan’s ‘One Town, One Festival’ in a street parade of contingent, making this event exciting, where it showcases the different colors and cultures of the 17 towns of Aklan.

KALIBO ATI-ATIHAN TRADE FAIR

Shop for premium quality Aklanon products made from world-class woven piña and other fiber-based crafts such as abaca, raffia and nito.  Marvel at the exhibit showcase of the finest clay materials handcrafted by local artisans, delicacies and ornamental plants.

KALIBO ATI-ATIHAN STREET BAZAAR

A day-and-night street bazaar with a wide array of products by local entrepreneurs for sale at affordable and bargain prices.

SADSAD PANAAD

 ‘Sinaot sa Calle’ of the students and teachers of Department of Education with their faces and bodies covered in soot and accompanied by the festive beating of the Ati-Atihan drums.

AKLAN HIGANTE CONTEST

A parade of Higantes and individuals dressed in giant ecological tourism-themed images. Through the years, the most beautiful and impressive Higantes designed by the municipalities of Aklan, make their way in the Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival.

SADSAD PAGPASAEAMAT KAY SR. STO. NINO

The true spirit of devotion to Señor Santo Niño de Kalibo by socio-civic groups, balikbayans, religious and people from all walks of life.

DAWN PENITENTIAL PROCESSION

Praying of the rosary by devotees and pilgrims before the Ati-Atihan festival music rises into a crescendo.

TRIBAL, MODERN, BALIK-ATI AND INDIVIDUAL ATI-ATIHAN CONTEST

Street dancing contest comes alive with tribe members dress up in their vibrant and colorful costumes, their bodies and faces painted with soot as they dance to the unique Ati-Atihan beat of the drums.

  

HORNADA

The rhythmic beating of the drums, loud and lively dancing of Ati-Atihan tribes to pay tribute to the Señor Santo Niño de Kalibo.

TRANSFER OF SANTO NINO IMAGE AND PILGRIMS’ MASS

 “Musyon ga Santo Niño ag ga Ati-Ati Kita”
Concelebrated Pilgrims’ Mass offering where devotees, guests and tourists flock in solidarity with Ati-Atihan tribes as they take part in the highest form of Catholic workship, the High Mass celebration.

RELIGIOUS PROCESSION AND DANCE

 “Pagsapoe, Pagpaeapak, Pagpangamuyo ag Pagpasaeamat kay  Santo Niño, Pag Bendisyon ni Santo Niño, Paghatud kay Santo Niño”
Praise dancing of Ati-Atihan tribes and visitors for hours together with beautifully adorned Señor Santo Niño de Kalibo ‘caros’ and devotees carrying Santo Niño image and bamboo torches. 

PAGPADUNGOG

The finale and last hurrah of the weeklong Ati-Atihan festival. Winners of the Ati-Atihan contest give their ‘last’ energy as they receive their prizes from Kasafi and the local government of Kalibo.

THE SADSAD FESTIVITY

SADSAD SA KALYE

“Sadsad Sa Kalye” is a dynamic mass presentation expressing the beliefs, views, visions and aspirations of the Janiuaynons based upon tradition, historical experiences, and culture of the people of Janiuay. It is a street-dancing affair buoyed by the kaleidoscopic prism of cultured grace and fineness that reflects the embodiment of all that are beautiful in man’s body and soul. “Sadsad” is a native word meaning dance.

Ati-Atihan festival is known to be the merriest day of the whole celebration. Groups dress up in tribal costumes and parade the streets of Kalibo while dancing. People usually follow the street dancers while carrying bamboo torches and sculptures and image of the Child Jesus. and Ati-Atihan also known as Sadsad Festival in modern time.

During the festival, Ati-Atihan participants smear black body paint on their skin and wear a colorful costumes as a remembrance of the pact between the Atis and the Malays. The yearly festival celebration held in Kalibo still symbolizes the unity that was formed between the two distinctly different tribe.

The sayaw ritual

Scene of a yearly celebration in honor of Sto. Nino held every third week of January, popularly known worldwide as Ati-Atihan. So called because Aklanons, domestic and foreign tourists, wipe soot on their faces and done ethnic paraphernalia and masquerade around town as Negritos and make merry and dance in the streets to the beat of ambulant ethnic troubadours. A sea of humanity in cadence with black soot “ati” performing rituals, all in …. A combined word of “Pasalamat Pinaagi sa Sayaw” (a thanksgiving through dance).

Mutya ag lakan it Kalibo ati-atihan Festival

TWENTY-FOUR FINALISTS FOR THE MUTYA AG LAKAN IT KALIBO ATI-ATIHAN 2013 HAVE BEEN CHOSEN.

They will compete in the grand pageant night on january 11, 2013, according to festival organizer kalibo sto. Nino ati-atihan foundation, inc. (kasafi). The finalists were selected from 40 contestants for the 3rd edition of the Kalibo Ati-Atihan beauty pageant scheduled to take place in Gov. Augusto B. Legaspi Sports and Cultural Center here. Out of 21 aspirants, the 12 beautiful Mutya it Kalibo Ati-Atihan finalists selected are Riza Lucing (New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan, 18), Lailani Sualog (Poblacion, Malay, Aklan, 18), Rosalie Arcenio (Camanci Norte, Numancia, Aklan, 16), Sherame Jardeleza (Estancia, Kalibo, Aklan, 19), Ma. Theressa Vanessa Dela Cruz (Poblacion, Kalibo, Aklan, 23) and Merrie Joy Montalbo (Dongon West, Numancia, Aklan, 17). Other finalists are Jane Escalona (Bulwang, Numancia, Aklan, 21), Evelyn Teston (Tigayon, Kalibo, Aklan, 17), Harchelyn Joy Agudon (Poblacion, Kalibo, Aklan, 18), Ivy Charresse Vega (Poblacion, New Washington, Aklan, 16), Karla Jane Gallardes (Poblacion, Balete, Aklan, 22) and Janine Marie Pedrosa (Calimbajan, Makato, Aklan, 21). The 12 Lakan it Kalibo Ati-Atihan finalists, out of 19 aspirants, are David Matthew Bunganay (Camanci, Batan, Aklan, 16), Edross Taay (Tigayon, Kalibo, Aklan, 19), Clyde Vincent Briones (Estancia, Kalibo, Aklan, 21), Charrls Cris Dagohoy (New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan, 20), Joseph Ibadlit (Laguinbanua West, Numancia, Aklan, 21) and Satinder Pal Ghai (Ibajay, Aklan, 19). Other finalists are Jasper Cahilig (Balusbos, Malay, Aklan, 16), Ryan Jay Rampola (Polo, Banga, Aklan, 19), Riedgbelle Jhecz Maglaqui (Tinigao, Kalibo, Aklan, 19), Jan Vic Basia (Poblacion, Kalibo, Aklan, 17), Aaron Jay Fernandez (Feliciano, Balete, Aklan, 20) and Jy Lee Kevin Tang (Dumga, Makato, Aklan, 20). Kasafi chairman Albert Menez said preliminary competitions will be held in Boracay Garden Resort on December 15 for the Swimsuit and Swimwear and on December 21 in Kalibo Pastrana Park for the candidates’ talent performance. The finale competition and the crowning of Mutya ag Lakan it Kalibo Ati-Atihan will take on January 11, 2013.

Ati-atihan folksong literature

The word Aklanon has two meanings. It may refer to the natives of Aklan and to their language.
Aklanon literature refers to all kinds of literary works in any languages written by Aklanons, either published or unpublished.

But it can also refer to the kind of literature written by Aklanons in their native language.
In this paper, unless stated, Aklanon literature refers to the kind of literature written by Aklanons in their own language.

For several decades now Aklanons have been writing literary pieces in Spanish, Tagalog, Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a. Surprisingly, this writer has discovered that Aklanons have been writing poems in Aklanon since 1568.

In 1925, Gabriel M. Reyes published a novel, Toning. This 35-page novel in Akeanon was published by La Panayana.

In 1926, Peping Tansinko Manyas published a short novel entitled Tagiposuon nga Hueowaran; Baeasahon Nga May Mataeupangdan.

Included in this work are the following poems by Manyas

“Sa Adlaw Nga Kinamatyan nay Doctor Jose Rizal”, dated December 1, 1913;
“Haead Sa Adlaw Nga Kinamatyan Ku Napueo Ag Siyam Sa Akean”, 1913;
“Kaeantahon nga Pilipinhon” (Marcha Nacional Filipina), Sinueat nay G. Jose Palma; Gin Inakeanon nay G. Peping Tansinko Manyas, Musika nay G. Julian Felipe.
“Haead Sa Pahayagang “Ro Akeanon”, April 26, 1913;
“Sa Manga Kadaeagahan; Mga Tubo Sa Akean”, April, 1914;

Also in this book is Manyas’ translation of the Spanish poem by Manuel Laseran entitled: Eugta’ng Nahamut-an (Sinueat nay Manuel Laserna.) Its original Spanish version is also found in this book.

It must be noted that Manyas’ translation is so far the oldest Aklanon translation of the Philippine National Anthem.

In 1957, Tente Undoy published Mga Bilisad-on. This includes 105 maxims in Akeanon. Tente Undoy must be a brother of Roman A. de la Cruz.

We can see some of the old Aklanon poems in the book Contribution of Aklanon Minds to Philippine Literature by Beato de la Cruz. We can also see two Aklanon poems translated into English in the book Hiligayon Literature: Texts and Contexts (1992) edited by Lucila V. Hosillos. These are “Halad Sa Adlaw Nga Kinmatyan” by G.H.M.A. Tagipusuon.

But the oldest Aklanon poem that I have known is The “Song of Balinganga”

The “Song of Balinganga”

Other than the syllabary itself, the most antiquated sample of Old Inakeanon writing that we have so far is the 1911 reproduction made by Capitan Juan Orbista of the 1725 Moysing reproduction of the 1568 Kabanyag reproduction of the original “Song of Balinganga.” According to tradition, the original and the rest of its copies were written on hardwood (amaga) tablets.

Hambae Inakeanon

I

Hambae Inakeanon
Manat saeaysayon
Hanongod sa dato,
Nga si Bangkaay,
Ag anang asawa,
Imaw si Katorong,
Kat sanda nga daywa
Mga bataon pa.

II

Sanda hay nagkita
Sa sangka daeanon,
Daeagang malangya
Miron nga dongganon:
Ag sanglit gaoy eon
Rato nga daeaga,
Pomaeapit dayon
Datong miron kana.

III

Singpit nat dayon
Nga kana omaba,
Agod di gaoyon,
Makapahoway pa.
Dayon na nga abhon
Ay mana eat opa,
Kono, kabog-at na
Kato nga daeaga.

IV

Naghinadya dayon
Miron ag daeaga:
Nagpanaw sa nayon
Kon tawgon Tawaya
Nag-abot panag-on
Sanda nag-asawa,
Nagin malipayon
Pangabohi nanda.

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank the persons who helped me in doing this blog. Great thanks to Paul Leo Quitoviera and Ana Mia Clasiete. Most of all, I would like to thank God for guiding me and giving me knowledge to do this blog.

Thank you!!!

Sample of rubaiyat poem

Ati-Atihan Festival

Welcome to the Ati-Atihan Festival

It is called the Mother of all Festival

Where the fun and joy never stops

While joining the glorious festival

Enjoy the sound of the drums

Drink all the beer and rhums

Eat all the food you can eat

And dance to the beat of the drums

People are shouting “Hala Bira”

Then the others will respond “Pwera Pasma”

To offer thanks and honor Sto.Niño

Let’s all shout “Hala Bira, Pwera Pasma!”