Indigenous People of Panay

Alicia Magos wrote the important book, The Enduring Ma-Aram Tradition: An Ethnography of a Kinaray-A Village in Antique. Ma-aram is another word for Babaylan. Her current research focuses on the Panay-Bukidnon indigenous traditions and practices. She continues to be a culture-bearer/advocate for the indigenous peoples of Panay.

Indigenous People of Panay
Kinaray-a, Hiligaynon (Ilongo) and Aklanon-Speaking People
by Alicia P. Magos

Excerpt

Western Visayas is known for its yearly grand festivals. Foremost is the Ati-atihan in Kalibo, Aklan, an indigenous festival believed to have originated when the Negritoes and the Bornean Malays celebrated a joint festival after a peaceful talk over the barter of Panay. It later turned into a folk Christian practice honoring the Santo Niño and continues to attract foreign visitors because of its spontaneous audience participation which evokes merriment. It is celebrated in January every year. From the ati-atihan festival, guests proceed to the province of Iloilo which is about three to four hours' land ride from Aklan. There, the guests await the celebration of the Dinagyang which is also a two-day revelry alongside a street dancing on the third day to honor the Sto. Niño.

The province of Antique also has its Binirayan festival celebrating the landing of the Bornean settlers in Malandog, Hamtic, Antique. The Capizeños have their Halaran, a thanksgiving which commemorates the one offered by the Borneans to their god Bululakaw. This, after a peace pact with the Negritos from whom they purchased some lands. There is also the present-day celebration called Masskara of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental to popularize Bacolod as a "City of Smile," hence, the smiling masks used by the participants.

The complete article also contains an article entitled The Last of the Binukots By Hazel P. Villa and an article entitled Chanter of Epic Poetry.

Links accessed 7/19/2009