Bianca Victoria Fulgencio and Ella Bernise Natal
A tree’s beauty lies in its branches, but its strength lies in its roots.
Aklan is known for many things - countless tourist spots, exotic cuisine, one of the richest cultures in the country - and Aklanons should definitely take pride in all of these; but where exactly did all of this, and all of us, come from? This Ati-atihan festival, let us show our appreciation to Aklanons’ very own roots — the Atis.
Artwork by Rhuvic Salvoza
Datu Puti exchanged several items, including a golden sarok and a bit of cloth, to gain ownership of the land. The Atis were then permanently displaced, having to adhere to a nomadic lifestyle. Despite this, one good thing is believed to have come from this exchange - the Ati-atihan Festival, which is said to be brought by the merry-making and feasting that came after the transaction.
The Ati-Atihan Festival is undoubtedly known all over the world, seeing as it has been dubbed as “The Mother of All Philippine Festivals.” Street dancing, drums beating, hearts pounding - the annual celebration is one that is always looked forward to. The stars of the festival, aside from Sr. Sto Nino, are none other than the Atis of Aklan. The actual meaning of ‘Ati-atihan’ is “to be like Atis.” With the spotlight being shone on them, one could assume that people viewed them with such high regard, but in reality, it is quite the opposite.
Today, the Atis are still stuck in a perpetual state of poverty that has led to pejorative stereotypes against them. Once owners of the rich land, some of the Atis are now forced to live in marginal habitats, avoiding contact with those who see them as filthy, disgusting, and uneducated.
Aside from having to cope with the drastic changes in their landscape, the Atis face several other major issues. They do not have any legal tenure to the lands that they should be able to call their own, and instead they are forced to stay in a nomadic lifestyle. Moreover, the Atis also have to deal with educational backwardness. They are unable to improve and enrich their knowledge and literacy because they do not have the necessary resources to pursue their education, seeing as their livelihood options are very limited.
Another concern for the Atis is the preservation of their cultural and linguistic identity. Considering how the present society sees them as unequals and outcasts, the Atis seem to be ashamed of their own language. They do not use it outside of their homes very often, and many fear that their language may soon cease to exist. Lastly, the Atis also face health problems. Factors like natural resource depletion have contributed to an increased rate of malnutrition among their community, which is why the health and well-being of Atis are in need of immediate care.
A tree is only as strong as its roots. The bigger the tree, the deeper the roots that are spread all over, grasping the soil around it and keeping the tree upright and alive. The leaves, the branches, the flowers, and each and every fruit are all held up by these very foundations that are unseen and underappreciated; much like the Atis, who are slowly retreating further into the depths of the forests instead of joining civilization just because of our own preconceived notions that isolate them from the rest of us.
They were once the mighty owners of our precious land. Our history once sat upon their shoulders, yet it seems like they will soon be forgotten if we continue disregarding their value as people in society.