HALAH BIRA!!!!!!!!!!!!!HALAH BIRA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HALAH BIRA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    The Ati-Atihan Festival of Aklan is called the Mother of All Filipino Festivals.  Kalibo has been known for its Ati-Atihan before all the other neighboring provinces started theirs. The name of the festival means "pretending to be like an Ati." The Ati, also known as Negritos, are an indigenous people who have distinctively black skin and curly hair. In the year 1212 AD, ten datus from Borneo landed on Panay island (whereAklan is located) and amicably purchased land from the native king Marikudo. They had a feast to celebrate. Today, celebrants of the Ati-atihan Festival paint their faces with black soot. Locals who perform in the parade also wear colorful elaborate costumes. It can be compared with Mardi Gras in other parts of the world.

                   On account of the historical influence of the Catholic church, the Ati-Atihan festival is said to honor the Santo Niño (Christ Child). In fact, the name of Kalibo means "one thousand," which is the number of people who were baptized in a single day by early Spanish missionaries.

               A shout associated with the Ati-Atihan Festival is Hala Bira! Every Filipino knows this phrase, but not its origin. In the 17th century, Moro raiders from the south were attacking Panay. The defenders of the island used artillery with the battle cry Hala bira("Hit them!"). The gunpowder blackened their faces and after the fight they looked like the black-skinned Ati. The Santo Nino is credited with saving the locals  from the Moros.

Prayer to the Santo Niño de Kalibo

       

O Señor Santo Niño de Kalibo, behold us prostrate at your feet imploring Your blessing and assistance. We firmly believe in Your goodness, Your love, and Your mercy. We also know that the more we honor You, the more You will bless us. Remember that You have told us to ask, to seek, and to knock at the door for Your Infinite Mercy. So it is with the greatest confidence that we kneel before You today. Teach us how to ask that we may receive; show us to see that we may find. Be pleased to listen while we knock. O Señor Santo Niño, and open Your loving heart to our trustful supplication.

(Pray 3 times the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. Ask  Señor Santo Niño the favor you want to obtain in this Novena)

O Miraculous Señor Santo Niño, prostrate before Your sacred image, we beseech You to cast a merciful look on our troubled hearts. Let Your tender hear so inclined to pity, be softened by our prayers, and grant us the grace for which we ardently implore You. Take from us all unbearable affliction and despair, all trials and misfortunes with which we are laden. For Your sacred infancy's sake hear our prayers and send us consolation and aid, that we may praise You, with the Father and the Holy Spirt, forever and ever. Amen.

History of Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo

       

   A 13th century (c.1200 A.D.) event explains the origins of the festival. A group of 10 Malay chieftains called Datus, fleeing from the island of Borneo settled in the Philippines, and were granted settlement by the Ati people, the tribes of Panay Island. Datu Puti, Makatunaw's chief minister made a trade with the natives and bought the plains for a golden salakot, brass basins and bales of cloth. For the wife of the Ati chieftain, they gave a very long necklace. Feasting and festivities followed soon after.

        Some time later, the Ati people were struggling with famine as the result of a bad harvest. They were forced to descend from their mountain village into the settlement below, to seek the generosity of the people who now lived there. The Datus obliged and gave them food. In return, the Ati danced and sang for them, grateful for the gifts they had been given.

        The misoln was originally a pagan festival from this tribe practicing Animism, and their worshiping their anito god. Spanish missionaries gradually added a Christian meaning. Today, the Ati-Atihan is celebrated as a religious festival.