Ati Atihan Festival

Month : NA
Place : Panay, Philippines
Famous For : Traditional Festival
Attractions : Black Facepaint, Ladyboys, Loud Drums, Gyrating Females, Bullfights, Beauty Peagents, Snake Dance

Ati Atihan Festival is a traditional festival observed on the island of Panay in Philippines. It's held every year during the month of January in the town of Kalibo in the province of Aklan on the island of Panay, Philippines. The Ati Atihan Festival is a two week long celebration but the real essence of this observation lies in last three days. The dates of Ati Atihan can change depending on what town you are in.

Major Attractions

The Ati Atihan Festival was started when a group of Malay Datus, fleeing from nearby Borneo, bought land from the local Panay people, the original inhabitants of Panay Island. The Malay Datus celebrated their purchase by holding a massive feast and painting themselves black to look like the islanders. The inhabitants of Philippines have a tradition of astounding hospitability from their end. They have an expression for this festival which sums up their devotion to strangers : "No-one should drink alone". The main attractions of the festival includes everyone wearing black face paint, Ladyboys, very loud drums, gyrating females, very late nights, bullfights, beauty peagents the cross of Chinese and Voodoo cultures, the Snake Dance, live exorcisms, 70% Gin. Infactm during the Ati Atihan festival, anything goes in the Philippines.