Ati-Atihan snake-dancing to be revived

KALIBO, Aklan — The revival of the snake-dancing tradition during the Ati-Atihan festival, which used to be a favorite crowd feature in the 1980s, may be revived in next year’s celebration.

Apol Zaraspe, chairman of the newly-formed Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Management Council Incorporated (KASAMACO), said that he received many requests coming from Kalibo residents for it to be revived after it was stopped for several years.

Snake-dancing is the act of dancing with family members and friends linked to one another through holding one another, shoulder to shoulder, to form a snake-shaped line. This is usually done at the Magsaysay Park during the evening revelry.

In an earlier statement, Albert Menez of the defunct Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Festival Incorporated (KASAFI) said that they did not continue the snake-dancing tradition for several years because the Magsaysay Park has already been crowded with tourists and revelers for it to be executed.

“I am also concerned by women who could be harassed by drunk men during the snake dancing and the security of the event,” he added.