Aklan
Encyclopedia
Aklan is a province
of the Philippines
located in the Western Visayas
. Its capital is Kalibo
. It is located at the northwest portion of Panay Island
, bordering Antique Province
to the southwest, and Capiz Province to the east. Aklan faces the Sibuyan Sea
and Romblon Province to the north.
ruled by the chieftain Datu
Dinagandan which traded with its neighbouring islands.
Towards the end of the 14th century, Datu Dinagandan moved the capital from what is now Batan
. In 1433, Datu Kalantiaw's grandson and successor, Datu Kalantiaw III, was said to have formulated a set of laws known today as the Code of Kalantiaw
. Well respected scholarly long-term Philippine resident historian William Henry Scott
, proved these "laws" to be a total fabrication. In 1437, the short-lived dynasty of Datu Kalantiaw ended when Datu Kalantiaw III was killed in battle with the tribes of Datu Manduyog, the legitimate successor of Datu Dinagandan. When Datu Manduyog became the new chieftain, he moved the capital to Bakan (now known as Banga
).
Several datus succeeded Datu Manduyog until the Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi
landed in Batan in 1565 and claimed the island for Spain
. Datu Kabanyag was the chieftain at that period and had his capital in Libacao
.
In 1942, the Japanese
invaded Aklan during World War II
and in 1945, combined Filipino and American
army along with Aklanon guerrillas liberated Aklan during the war in the Pacific.
Aklan finally became a separate province through Republic Act No. 1414 signed by President Magsaysay
on April 25, 1956, separating Aklan from Capiz
. The original towns were Altavas, Balete, Batan, Banga, Buruanga, Ibajay, Kalibo, Lezo, Libacao, Madalag, Malay, Makato, Malinao, Nabas, New Washington, Numancia, and Tangalan, then all part of the province of Kalibo.
This law was authored by Congressman Godofredo P. Ramos and the province was inaugurated on November 8, 1956. Ramos became the first congressman of Aklan, he was succeeded by José B. Legaspi. The third congressman, serving until the declaration of martial law in 1972, was Rafael B. Legaspi. José Raz Menez was appointed the first governor of Aklan by President Magsaysay and he served until December 30, 1959. In 1960, Godofredo P. Ramos became the first elected governor but upon resigning to run for Congress he was succeeded by the vice governor, Virgilio S. Patricio. In 1964, José B. Legaspi succeeded Patricio and he held office for two consecutive terms from 1964 to 1971.
Aklan occupies the northern third of the island of Panay
and is bordered by the provinces of Iloilo
from the south, Capiz
from the east and Antique from the southwest. It also faces the Sibuyan Sea
from the north. The province includes the island of Boracay
which is located at its northwestern tip.
The province boasts high geographic diversity, ranging from white sandy beaches, mangrove
s and mountainous landscapes. It also boasts the river Akean
, which appears unique due to its "boiling or frothing" appearance.
are located in the province. Examples include endangered animals
such the Philippine Spotted Deer (Cervus alfredi)
, the Visayan warty pig (Sus cebifrons)
, and the Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopides panini)
. As of 2007, conservation efforts are being made by the Aklan State University
and the DENR
with varying success.
The province of Aklan is designated as a first class province.
Aklan is famous for Boracay
, a resort island located one kilometre north from the tip of Panay
. It is known for its white sandy beach
es and is considered as one of the more prominent destinations in the Philippines. Because of this, there is frequent air travel to the province's airports in Kalibo and Caticlan
. Kalibo International Airport is about ten minutes from the main plaza. Kalibo Airport serve direct flights to and from Taipei , Shanghai and Incheon, South Korea through international flights served by Zest Air, Mandarin Airlines, China Airlines and Philippine Airlines. More air links will soon be offered with Singapore, Hong Kong, and Beijing direct flights in the pipeline establishing and cementing Kalibo's reputation as the international gateway to the Western Visayas region.
Farming is the basic livelihood in the interior while fishing is the basic livelihood in the coasts. Poorer residents also migrate seasonly to other provinces and islands, particularly Negros, to work mostly in plantations. Some of these migrants include child labor
.
, who are part of the Visayan ethnic group. Other inhabitants include the Negrito
, locally known as the Ati
and the Sulod, a lesser known tribal group located at the hinterlands of Panay. Other Visayans are also present such as the Karay-a
, the Hiligaynon
and the Capiznon
.
and Buruanganon is spoken in Buruanga, Aklan
. Other regional languages used include;
and Lent
are regarded with high importance. Meanwhile, Christian icons such as the Santo Niño are regarded as cultural symbols of the people. Animism
, however, is still practised by the Ati
.
native beliefs about the aswang
and the babaylan
are still prevalent among the people. Kulam
or witchcraft
, locally known as "amulit" is still feared by many residents.
in Kalibo. 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 Feast of the "Santo Niño" (Holy Child) which is usually held during the third week of January.
, Roman Aguirre, have produced several notable literary works in the province.
Provinces of the Philippines
The Provinces of the Philippines are the primary political and administrative divisions of the Philippines. There are 80 provinces at present, further subdivided into component cities and municipalities. The National Capital Region, as well as independent cities, are autonomous from any provincial...
of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
located in the Western Visayas
Western Visayas
Western Visayas, one of the regions of the Philippines, is designated as Region VI. It consists of six provinces; Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo and 16 cities making it the region with the highest number of cities. Iloilo City is the regional center...
. Its capital is Kalibo
Kalibo, Aklan
Kalibo is the capital of the province of Aklan, in the northwest of Panay Island, Philippines. It is a First Class Municipality in the Western Visayas Region practically located at the center of all coastal municipalities of Aklan province...
. It is located at the northwest portion of Panay Island
Panay Island
Panay is an island in the Philippines located in the western part of the Visayas. Politically, it is divided into five provinces: Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo, all in the Western Visayas Region. It is located southeast of the island of Mindoro and northwest of Negros, separated by the...
, bordering Antique Province
Antique province
Antique is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is San Jose and is located at the western portion of Panay Island, bordering Aklan, Capiz, and Iloilo to the east. Antique faces the Sulu Sea to the west....
to the southwest, and Capiz Province to the east. Aklan faces the Sibuyan Sea
Sibuyan Sea
The Sibuyan Sea is a small sea in the Philippines that separates the Visayas from the northern Philippine island of Luzon.-Description:It is bounded by the island of Panay to the south, Mindoro to the west, Masbate to the east, and to the north Marinduque and the Bicol Peninsula of Luzon Island.The...
and Romblon Province to the north.
History
Aklan is considered to be the oldest province in the country and is believed to have been established in the 12th century by settlers from BorneoBorneo
Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is located north of Java Island, Indonesia, at the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia....
ruled by the chieftain Datu
Datu
Datu is the title for tribal chiefs, sovereign princes, and monarchs in the Visayas and Mindanao Regions of the Philippines. Together with Lakan , Apo in Central and Northern Luzon, Sultan and Rajah, they are titles used for native royalty, and are still currently used in the Philippines...
Dinagandan which traded with its neighbouring islands.
Towards the end of the 14th century, Datu Dinagandan moved the capital from what is now Batan
Batan, Aklan
Batan is a 4th class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2007 National Statistics Office recorded population, Batan has a population of 29,243 people in 6,422 households.-Political subdivision:...
. In 1433, Datu Kalantiaw's grandson and successor, Datu Kalantiaw III, was said to have formulated a set of laws known today as the Code of Kalantiaw
Code of Kalantiaw
The Code of Kalantiaw was a legendary legal code in the epic story Maragtas. It is said to have been written in 1433 by Datu Kalantiaw, a chief on the island of Negros in the Philippines. It was actually written in 1913 by Jose E...
. Well respected scholarly long-term Philippine resident historian William Henry Scott
William Henry Scott
William Henry Scott , born in Athens, Ohio, was the seventh President of Ohio University from 1872 to 1883 and the third President of The Ohio State University from 1883 to 1895.-Further reading:*...
, proved these "laws" to be a total fabrication. In 1437, the short-lived dynasty of Datu Kalantiaw ended when Datu Kalantiaw III was killed in battle with the tribes of Datu Manduyog, the legitimate successor of Datu Dinagandan. When Datu Manduyog became the new chieftain, he moved the capital to Bakan (now known as Banga
Banga, Aklan
Banga is a fourth-class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. This small town has repeatedly won national competitions for the "Most Beautiful Town" contests in the country. It is the site of the Aklan State University. the mayor was Antonio T...
).
Several datus succeeded Datu Manduyog until the Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi
Miguel López de Legazpi
Miguel López de Legazpi , also known as El Adelantado and El Viejo , was a Spanish conquistador who established one of the first European settlements in the East Indies and the Pacific Islands in 1565. He is the first Governor-General in the Philippines...
landed in Batan in 1565 and claimed the island for Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. Datu Kabanyag was the chieftain at that period and had his capital in Libacao
Libacao, Aklan
Libacao is a 4th class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 25,983 people in 4,962 households....
.
In 1942, the Japanese
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
invaded Aklan during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and in 1945, combined Filipino and American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
army along with Aklanon guerrillas liberated Aklan during the war in the Pacific.
Aklan finally became a separate province through Republic Act No. 1414 signed by President Magsaysay
Ramon Magsaysay
Ramón del Fierro Magsaysay was the third President of the Republic of the Philippines from December 30, 1953 until his death in a plane crash in 1957. He was elected President under the banner of the Nacionalista Party.-Early life:Ramon F...
on April 25, 1956, separating Aklan from Capiz
Capiz
Capiz is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Roxas City and is located at the northeastern portion of Panay Island, bordering Aklan and Antique to the west, and Iloilo to the south. Capiz faces the Sibuyan Sea to the north...
. The original towns were Altavas, Balete, Batan, Banga, Buruanga, Ibajay, Kalibo, Lezo, Libacao, Madalag, Malay, Makato, Malinao, Nabas, New Washington, Numancia, and Tangalan, then all part of the province of Kalibo.
This law was authored by Congressman Godofredo P. Ramos and the province was inaugurated on November 8, 1956. Ramos became the first congressman of Aklan, he was succeeded by José B. Legaspi. The third congressman, serving until the declaration of martial law in 1972, was Rafael B. Legaspi. José Raz Menez was appointed the first governor of Aklan by President Magsaysay and he served until December 30, 1959. In 1960, Godofredo P. Ramos became the first elected governor but upon resigning to run for Congress he was succeeded by the vice governor, Virgilio S. Patricio. In 1964, José B. Legaspi succeeded Patricio and he held office for two consecutive terms from 1964 to 1971.
Municipalities
|
Batan, Aklan Batan is a 4th class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2007 National Statistics Office recorded population, Batan has a population of 29,243 people in 6,422 households.-Political subdivision:... Buruanga, Aklan Buruanga is a 5th class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 15,077 people in 2,758 households. It is located at the most western tip of Panay Island. It is a coastal town bounded on the north by Malay; on the south by the... Ibajay, Aklan Ibajay is a municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 42,742 people in 7,918 households.-Under the Spanish - "Panay Y Bayjay":... |
Kalibo, Aklan Kalibo is the capital of the province of Aklan, in the northwest of Panay Island, Philippines. It is a First Class Municipality in the Western Visayas Region practically located at the center of all coastal municipalities of Aklan province... Lezo, Aklan Lezo is a 5th class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 12,393 people in 2,494 households.-Barangays:In the Philippines, Lezo is politically subdivided into 12 barangays.* Agcawilan... Libacao, Aklan Libacao is a 4th class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 25,983 people in 4,962 households.... |
Madalag, Aklan Madalag is a 4th class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 17,441 people in 3,067 households.Madalag was formerly an arrabal and part of Libacao... Makato, Aklan Makato is a 4th class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 22,777 people in 4,342 households.... Malay, Aklan The Municipality of Malay is a first class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 32,110 people in 4,747 households.... |
Malinao, Aklan Malinao is a 4th class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. It is located on Panay Island, geographical location 122° 10' to 122° 19' East, 11° 40' to 10° 35' North. It has an area of 186.01 km²... Nabas, Aklan The Municipality of Nabas is a 4th class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. It is located before the town of Malay and Buruanga Peninsula at the northwest tip of Panay Island... New Washington, Aklan New Washington is a municipality in the province of Aklan particularly famous for being the native town of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, former Archbishop of Manila... |
Numancia, Aklan -History:Numancia is one town in Aklan that has great historical significance. Its name was derived from a Spanish Yacht, which happened to pass by from Manila... Tangalan, Aklan Tangalan is a 5th class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 17,606 people in 3,317 households.Tangalan was formerly an arrabal of Makato, Aklan... |
Geography
Panay
Panay may refer to*Panay Island*Panay *Panay, Capiz*Panay River*Panay Gulf* USS Panay *Panay incident...
and is bordered by the provinces of Iloilo
Iloilo
Iloilo is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of Panay Island and is bordered by Antique Province to the west and Capiz Province and the Jintotolo Channel to the north. Just off Iloilo's southeast coast is Guimaras Province,...
from the south, Capiz
Capiz
Capiz is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Roxas City and is located at the northeastern portion of Panay Island, bordering Aklan and Antique to the west, and Iloilo to the south. Capiz faces the Sibuyan Sea to the north...
from the east and Antique from the southwest. It also faces the Sibuyan Sea
Sibuyan Sea
The Sibuyan Sea is a small sea in the Philippines that separates the Visayas from the northern Philippine island of Luzon.-Description:It is bounded by the island of Panay to the south, Mindoro to the west, Masbate to the east, and to the north Marinduque and the Bicol Peninsula of Luzon Island.The...
from the north. The province includes the island of Boracay
Boracay
Boracay is an island of the Philippines located approximately south of Manila and 2 km off the northwest tip of Panay Island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. Boracay Island and its beaches have received awards numerous times. Boracay was awarded in the "Travelers' Choice...
which is located at its northwestern tip.
The province boasts high geographic diversity, ranging from white sandy beaches, mangrove
Mangrove
Mangroves are various kinds of trees up to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and subtropics – mainly between latitudes N and S...
s and mountainous landscapes. It also boasts the river Akean
Akean
Akean is a river on Panay in the Visayas. The name of the river is where the term Aklan came from, and is derived from the word akae, which means to boil or to froth. Because of the swiftness of the river current, the water of the Aklan river seems to boil or froth. Akean therefore means "where...
, which appears unique due to its "boiling or frothing" appearance.
Fauna
Several endemic species in the PhilippinesPhilippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
are located in the province. Examples include endangered animals
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
such the Philippine Spotted Deer (Cervus alfredi)
Philippine Spotted Deer
The Visayan Spotted Deer , also known as the Philippine Spotted Deer, is a nocturnal and endangered species of deer located primarily in the rainforests of the Visayan islands of Panay and Negros though it once roamed other islands such as Cebu, Guimaras, Leyte, Masbate, and Samar...
, the Visayan warty pig (Sus cebifrons)
Visayan warty pig
The Visayan Warty Pig, Sus cebifrons, is a critically endangered species of pig. The Visayan warty pig is endemic to two of the Visayan Islands in the central Philippines, and is threatened by habitat loss, food shortages and hunting - these are the leading causes of the Visayan Warty Pig's status...
, and the Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopides panini)
Tarictic Hornbill
The Tarictic Hornbill is a hornbill found in rainforests on the islands of Panay, Negros, Masbate, and Guimaras, and formerly Ticao, in the Philippines...
. As of 2007, conservation efforts are being made by the Aklan State University
Aklan State University
The Aklan State University is an educational institution in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. Its main campus is located in the town of Banga in Aklan, with four other campuses across the province...
and the DENR
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Philippines)
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for governing and supervising the exploration, development, utilization, and conservation of the country's natural resources.-History:The Department of Environment and Natural...
with varying success.
Economy
Aklan is famous for Boracay
Boracay
Boracay is an island of the Philippines located approximately south of Manila and 2 km off the northwest tip of Panay Island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. Boracay Island and its beaches have received awards numerous times. Boracay was awarded in the "Travelers' Choice...
, a resort island located one kilometre north from the tip of Panay
Panay
Panay may refer to*Panay Island*Panay *Panay, Capiz*Panay River*Panay Gulf* USS Panay *Panay incident...
. It is known for its white sandy beach
Beach
A beach is a geological landform along the shoreline of an ocean, sea, lake or river. It usually consists of loose particles which are often composed of rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles or cobblestones...
es and is considered as one of the more prominent destinations in the Philippines. Because of this, there is frequent air travel to the province's airports in Kalibo and Caticlan
Godofredo P. Ramos Airport
Godofredo P. Ramos Airport , also known as Caticlan Airport, is an airport serving the general area of the town of Malay, located in the province of Aklan in the Philippines...
. Kalibo International Airport is about ten minutes from the main plaza. Kalibo Airport serve direct flights to and from Taipei , Shanghai and Incheon, South Korea through international flights served by Zest Air, Mandarin Airlines, China Airlines and Philippine Airlines. More air links will soon be offered with Singapore, Hong Kong, and Beijing direct flights in the pipeline establishing and cementing Kalibo's reputation as the international gateway to the Western Visayas region.
Farming is the basic livelihood in the interior while fishing is the basic livelihood in the coasts. Poorer residents also migrate seasonly to other provinces and islands, particularly Negros, to work mostly in plantations. Some of these migrants include child labor
Child labor
Child labour refers to the employment of children at regular and sustained labour. This practice is considered exploitative by many international organizations and is illegal in many countries...
.
Ethnic groups
The main inhabitants of the province are the AklanonAklanon people
The Akeanon or Aklanon people are part of the wider Visayan ethnolinguistic group, who constitute the largest Filipino ethnolinguistic group.-Area:Aklanons form the majority in the province of Aklan in Panay....
, who are part of the Visayan ethnic group. Other inhabitants include the Negrito
Negrito
The Negrito are a class of several ethnic groups who inhabit isolated parts of Southeast Asia.Their current populations include 12 Andamanese peoples of the Andaman Islands, six Semang peoples of Malaysia, the Mani of Thailand, and the Aeta, Agta, Ati, and 30 other peoples of the Philippines....
, locally known as the Ati
Ati (tribe)
The Ati is a Negrito ethnic group in Panay, which is located in the Visayas , the central portion of the Philippine archipelago...
and the Sulod, a lesser known tribal group located at the hinterlands of Panay. Other Visayans are also present such as the Karay-a
Karay-a
The Karay-a, are part of the wider Visayan ethnolinguistic group, which constitute the largest Filipino ethnolinguistic group. The name of this group was derived from the word iraya, which means "upstream". Karay-a people speak Kinaray-a language...
, the Hiligaynon
Hiligaynon people
The Hiligaynon are the indigenous inhabitants of the large coastal plain of East Panay island. Over the years, intermigrations and intramigrations have contributed to the diaspora of the Hiligaynon to different parts of the country. Now, the Hiligaynon form the majority in Iloilo province, Capiz...
and the Capiznon
Capiznon
Capiznon is an Austronesian language spoken in Western Visayas in the Philippines. Capiznon is concentrated in the province of Capiz in the northeast of Panay Island....
.
Languages
The most prominent languages in the province are Akeanon (Aklanon Proper), Malaynon and Buruanganon. Akeanon is spoken by a majority of the people, while Malaynon is spoken in MalayMalay, Aklan
The Municipality of Malay is a first class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 32,110 people in 4,747 households....
and Buruanganon is spoken in Buruanga, Aklan
Buruanga, Aklan
Buruanga is a 5th class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 15,077 people in 2,758 households. It is located at the most western tip of Panay Island. It is a coastal town bounded on the north by Malay; on the south by the...
. Other regional languages used include;
- AtiAti (tribe)The Ati is a Negrito ethnic group in Panay, which is located in the Visayas , the central portion of the Philippine archipelago...
- HiligaynonHiligaynon languageHiligaynon, often referred to as Ilonggo, is an Austronesian language spoken in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines.Hiligaynon is concentrated in the provinces of Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Capiz but is also spoken in the other provinces of the Panay Island group, including Antique,...
- Kinaray-aKinaray-a languageKinaray-a is an Austronesian language spoken mainly in Antique Province in the Philippines. It is also spoken in Iloilo province, the south of Capiz Province, and certain villages in Mindanao that trace their roots to Antique Province or Kinaray-a speaking areas of Iloilo and Capiz Provinces...
- CapiznonCapiznonCapiznon is an Austronesian language spoken in Western Visayas in the Philippines. Capiznon is concentrated in the province of Capiz in the northeast of Panay Island....
Religion
Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion of the people and Christian festivals such as ChristmasChristmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
and Lent
Lent
In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer – through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial – for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and...
are regarded with high importance. Meanwhile, Christian icons such as the Santo Niño are regarded as cultural symbols of the people. Animism
Animism
Animism refers to the belief that non-human entities are spiritual beings, or at least embody some kind of life-principle....
, however, is still practised by the Ati
Ati (tribe)
The Ati is a Negrito ethnic group in Panay, which is located in the Visayas , the central portion of the Philippine archipelago...
.
Culture
Despite the prevalence of ChristianityChristianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
native beliefs about the aswang
Aswang
An Aswang is a mythical creature in Philippine folklore. The aswang is an inherently evil vampire-like creature and is the subject of a wide variety of myths and stories, the details of which vary greatly...
and the babaylan
Babaylan
Babaylan is a Visayan term identifying an indigenous Filipino religious leader, who functions as a healer, a shaman, a seer and a community "miracle-worker"...
are still prevalent among the people. Kulam
Kulam
Kulam is a Tagalog word meaning "hex or "curse"." Often, the same word is used as a term for witchcraft.-Usage and Related Terms:Kulam is actually a Tagalog noun which literally means bewitchment or hex....
or witchcraft
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
, locally known as "amulit" is still feared by many residents.
Festivals
The province is known for its festivities which includes the Ati-Atihan FestivalAti-Atihan Festival
The Ati-Atihan Festival is a feast held annually in January in honor of the Santo Niño , concluding on the third Sunday, in the island and town of Kalibo, Aklan in the Philippines....
in Kalibo. 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 Feast of the "Santo Niño" (Holy Child) which is usually held during the third week of January.
Literature
Aklanons are known for their literature, which includes the epic of Kalantiao. Certain Aklanons, such as Melchor F. CichonMelchor F. Cichon
Melchor F. Cichon has retired as Head librarian and concurrently Head of the Readers Services Section of the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Miag-ao, Iloilo. He was also a lecturer in management at the College of Management...
, Roman Aguirre, have produced several notable literary works in the province.
External links
- Aklan Directory
- The Official Website of the Provincial Government of Aklan
- The Official Website of the Municipality of Malinao, Aklan
- The Official Website of Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival
- The Official Website of Philippine Department of Tourism
- The Website of Ati-atihan Festival in San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California
- Aklan News Online
- The Province of Aklan Additional Tourism Resource