Editing Aklan (section)

===Festivals===
The province is known for its festivities which includes the [[Ati-Atihan festival]] in Kalibo.<ref name="AklanGovPH-Kalibo">{{cite web|title=Vibrant Kalibo|url=http://aklan.gov.ph/tourism/kalibo/|website=Province of Aklan (official government website)|access-date=26 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318005617/http://aklan.gov.ph/tourism/kalibo/|archive-date=18 March 2016}}</ref> Originally, the festival was to celebrate the treaty between the Ati and the Malayan tribes who settled in the Island. The Ati live in the mountain regions and the Malay people in the flatlands or close to the water. The festivity begins on the dry season, at which time the Ati come down from the mountains to trade and celebrate with the Malayan tribes. When the Spaniards settled in the region and converted the Malays to their Christian religion, they asked the Malays to celebrate this festivity to coincide with the [[Santo Niño de Cebú|Feast of the Santo Niño]] (Holy Child) which is usually held during the third week of January.

==== Ati-Atihan Festival ====
{{Main|Ati-Atihan festival}}
[[File:Parade-Goers At Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival, Philippines.jpg|thumb|Participants in the Ati-Atihan Festival parade]]
The [[Ati-Atihan Festival]] is a feast held annually in honor of the [[Santo Niño de Cebú|Santo Niño]] (Infant Jesus), held on the third Sunday of January in the town of [[Kalibo]], Aklan, Philippines, on the island of [[Panay]]. It originally came from [[Batan, Aklan]], then adopted later by some neighboring towns. The name ''Ati-Atihan'' means "to be like Atis" or "to make believe Atis", the local name for the [[Aeta]] aborigines who first settled in Panay Island and other parts of the archipelago.

The festival consists of tribal dance, music, accompanied by indigenous costumes and weapons, and parade along the street. Christians and non-Christians observe this day with religious processions. It has inspired many other Philippine Festivals including the [[Sinulog Festival]] of [[Cebu City]] and [[Dinagyang]] of [[Iloilo City]], both adaptations of the Kalibo's Ati-Atihan Festival, and legally holds the title "The Mother of All Philippine Festivals", being the oldest festival in the Philippines and in spite of the other Sinulog and Dinagyang festivals' claims of the same title.

The costumes worn at the festival is patterned after the African tribal design like those seen at the [[Rio Carnival]] in [[Rio de Janeiro]], [[Brazil]].

A 1200 A.D. event explains the origins of the festival. A group of 10 [[Malay race|Malay]] chieftains called ''[[Datu]]s'', fleeing from the island of [[Borneo]] settled in the Philippines, and were granted settlement by the [[Ati (tribe)|Ati]] people, the tribes of [[Panay Island]]. Datu Puti made a trade with the natives and bought the plains for a golden salakot, brass basins and bales of cloth. They gave a very long necklace to the wife of the Ati chieftain. 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 festivity was originally a pagan festival from this tribe practicing Animism, and their worshiping their [[anito]] god. [[Spain|Spanish]] missionaries gradually added a Christian meaning. Today, the Ati-Atihan is celebrated as a religious festival.

In 2012, the [[National Commission for Culture and the Arts]] (NCCA) and the ICHCAP of [[UNESCO]] published ''Pinagmulan: Enumeration from the Philippine Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage''. The first edition of the [[UNESCO]]-backed book included the ''Ati-atihan Festival'', signifying its great importance to Philippine intangible cultural heritage. The local government of Aklan, in cooperation with the NCCA, was given the right to nominate the Ati-atihan Festival in the [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists]].

The people attend masses for the ''Santo Niño'', and benefit dances sponsored by government organizations. The formal opening mass emphasizes the festival's religious event. The procession begins with a rhythmic drumbeats, and dances parading along the streets. The second day begins at dawn with a rosary procession, which ends with a community mass, and procession. The phrase "Hala Bira! Pwera Pasma!" is originally associated with the Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Festival as the revelers and devotees keep on going with the festivities all over the town from morning to the wee hours of the next morning, rain or shine, for one week or even more. They believe that the miraculous Child Jesus will protect them from harm and illness. The highlight of the festival occurs on the third Saturday of January, when groups representing different tribes compete for tourists' attention and prizes. The festival ends with a procession of thousands of people carrying torches and different kinds of images of the Santo Niño on the third Sunday. The contest winners are announced at a masquerade ball which officially ends the festival.

==== Bariw Festival ====
Bariw Festival is a unique festival showcasing the skills of every Nabasnon in weaving bags, mats and hats made of ''bariw'' leaves – the prospering livelihood in the municipality. It is highlighted by the dance performance of local talent and ingenuity to the beat of the drums and indigenous rhythm celebrated every May 14 of the year.

==== Bugna Festival ====
Bugna Festival is a festival showcasing the different locally produced products and eco-tourism destinations of Tangalan like the marine sanctuary and coral garden, Afga Point, Campo Verde, Jawili Falls, Bughawi beach and reforestation project every May 16 of the year.

==== Kali-Ugyon Festival ====
Kali-Ugyon Festival (''kali'' stands for Kalipayan or happiness and ''Ugyon'' meaning "unity"). This is the festival celebrated in Libacao every December 30 to January 1, costumed in modern and indigenous outfits bringing people together on the streets for merry-making and to drive away evil spirits in the coming New Year.