The History of Ati Atihan Festival: How It Began and Why It Matters
The Ati-Atihan Festival is a famous cultural festival in the Philippines, held annually on the 3rd Sunday of January in Kalibo City, Aklan Province, Western Visayas. Also, One of the oldest and most popular cultural festivals in the Philippines The festival celebrates Santo Niño (Holy Son of Jesus). Its origins date back to the 13th century when the Aetas, the indigenous people of the Philippines, are said to have settled in Aklan. The festival features street parties, colorful costumes, dancing, and live music. Participants wear elaborate and colorful costumes made of feathers and beads. Celebrations usually last several days and attract thousands of visitors from all over the country and around the world. One of the festival's highlights is a group of colorfully costumed performers dancing to the beat of drums and other instruments, mimicking the movements of the Aeta people who are said to have welcomed Malay settlers to the island. It's a street dance contest. All in al