Monday, January 16, 2006

Ati Atihan!

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Boom Boom Boom Boom Boom Boom Boom!

That’s how is started, the next thing I know it was 2 days later, and I had danced a lot, seen a festival of the likes I had never experienced before in my life, and had a fabulous time.

Legend has it that over 800 years ago Malaysians, from what is now Borneo, came on boats to the Island of Panay (the island I live on) to find a new place to live. Of those that came, their were10 tribes. They had a meeting with, the then currant inhabitants of Panay, the Ati. What happened next was the “Barter of Panay.” The Ati agreed to leave most of the island to the Malaysians and head to the mountains, for no more than a golden hat and necklace for the tribal chief. Before they left they had a celebration of epic proportions.

That is what Ati Atihan celebrates. There are tribal competitions, with dancing and drums. And I mean DRUMS, all day and all night, DRUMS DRUMS DRUMS. You can’t help but feel the rhythm inside you. There are other festivals in the area that celebrate the same thing, but Ati Atihan is unique. Firstly it is the original, second the others you just watch, at Ati Ati, you participate. You sat sat. You Dance around behind a band of drummers all through the city and square with thousands of other people just grooving to the drums. It’s like a nine hundred year old traditional rave. It is fun.

The whole celebration lasts a week, yet the biggest days are the last 3. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I went for Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday morning. Next year I go all week. Being there is like mixing State Street in Madison on Halloween, with Mardi Gra, with a rave. There are costumes of all sorts, crazy people, beautiful people, drunk people, happy people, and on and on and on.

It was a people watching paradise, I hope you’ll agree………… Image hosted by Photobucket.com

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And lastly my friend Eric, groving with two Baklas (dragqueens).....hehehe
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4 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Lloyd, are you sure your not in San Franscico?? And what is with the first guy with the pickle in his nose?!

Great pictures!

2:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

lookin at these amazing pictures makes me miss panay a lot more. anyways i met ur parents during their trip in vegas and they gave me ur blogsite. i also emailed u in ur yahoo acct.. =)


josie

10:09 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hi lloyd. josie here again.. the email was angelvxen@hotmail.com

=)

8:47 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

pink purse diaper guy is my favorite. Would have loved to be there with ya buddy. I love the contrast in the festival, those who are dressed up and those in blue jeans and a t-shirt

9:03 AM  

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