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Ati-Atihan, Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines
The Ati-Atihan Festival is celebrated starting on the 2nd week of January until the 3rd week in Kalibo, Aklan in honor to Santo Niño - the child Jesus.
The highlight of the event is the parade where the participants join in the street dancing with their faces and parts of their bodies covered in charcoal dust swaying with the rhythm of drum beats. Together, they shout in unison "Hala Bira!" which gives an eerie yet vibrant atmosphere to the spectacle.
The whole town joins in the celebrations, sharing food and drinks, until it is masked in merriment. The Ati-Atihan Festival is an observance of the time when the tribal groups of the locality got to meet with the Spanish conquistadores who brought with them the Christian faith.
Ati-Atihan means to join the Ati people - the tribal inhabitants of the locality during the arrival of the Spaniards. This celebration is widely known across the Philippines as many towns have festivals which have similarities to the Ati-Atihan Festival.
Apart from the time of cheer of the festival, the Ati-Atihan is also the venue for devotees to thank for a bountiful harvest, an answered prayer, and protection from life's adversities. Some also ask for guidance and healing. The participants dance in frenzied movements in colorful warrior-like costumes together with followers of the Santo Niño praying with rosaries hoping to absolve themselves from sins.
The trail of the devotion and parade ends at the doors of the church where the participants kneel in prayer and hear mass presided by the local priest. The devotees are once again one with God in peace and harmony.