Ati-Atihan Festival In Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines Ati-Atihan Festival
Photo by Sirenna

Ati-Atihan Festival

The Ati-Atihan Festival is an annual event that takes place in the Municipality of Kalibo, capital of Aklan Province. Kalibo is a neighboring town around 2½ hours travel by bus or van from the port town of Caticlan.

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World-famous Ati-Atihan Festival

The Ati-Atihan is a week-long celebration to honor the Feast of the Santo Niño or the Holy Infant Jesus. The Ati-Atihan is held every third Sunday of January. The Santo Niño has always been a favorite of Filipino Catholic devotees since the early days when the Philippines was still under the rule of Spain.

The celebration of the Feast, however, has turned into a mixture of native and foreign rituals. The locals observe this special day with processions, parades, dancing and merrymaking. Celebrants parade through the streets of Aklan dressed in outlandish costumes and painted faces, dancing and weaving their way through crowds of happy observers. During this time of the year, most of Boracay visitors and tourist also go to Kalibo to participate in the fun and merriment.

Local Customs and Tradition

Sirenna's comments updated on Oct 4, 2005, in VirtualTourist: This is a week long traditional festival celebrated on the 3rd week of January in honour of the 'Santa Niño' (Holy Infant Jesus). Hoards of people dressed in fabulous, flamboyant costumes dance through the streets, faces blackened with soot, and marching musicians play drums and xylophones.

The highlight of the festival occurs on the last day, when groups representing different tribes compete. Costumes, including the headdress, are made of abaca fibers, shells, feathers, bamboo, plant leaves, cogon, sugar cane flowers, beads, trinkets and an assortment of pieces of glass, metals and plastics.

Much drinking and merrymaking goes on in the streets, and you'll be offered drinks on every street corner. Bring your camera, but take good care of it as there is always a risk of theft in a large crowd. Kalibo is an hour and a half away from Boracay, take a bus or taxi from Caticlan.

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