Origin
Aklanon is the descendants of the Austronesian-
speaking immigrants who came to the
Philippines during the Iron Age. The word “Aklanon”
History is a Spanish term for the people of Aklan province.
The Aklanon pronounce the name of their province
as “Akean,” which derives from akaean, a place that
boils and bubbles, referring to the river that appears
to boil or bubble (akae-akae) in the summer.
Location
Aklan lies on the northeastern part
of Panay island, which has three
other provinces: Capiz, Iloilo, and
Location Antique.
Language
The Aklanon belong to a larger group called
Visayan, and their language is a subclassification of
the Visayan language. The Aklanon language, called
Akeanon or Inakeanon, substitutes the phonetic
sound “e” for “l,” pronounced with a rolling “r” sound.
Language
Language
Language
Land Area/ Territory of Aklanon Tribe
The total land area of Aklanon is 1,821.42 km²
( 703.25 sq mi) or the total area of hectares is 59%
or 106,795 hectares are classified as A & D while
Land Area 41% or 74,994 hectares are classified as Forestland,
and includes the island of Boracay which is located
at its northwestern tip.
Custormary Laws of Aklanon Tribe
Often unwritten and passed down orally through
Customary generations. They encompass social norms, family
relations, and community governance, reflecting
Law values such as respect, cooperation, and harmony.
Key aspects of Aklanon customary laws include
• Marriage practices
• Inheritance rights, and
• Conflict resolution.
Custormary Laws of Aklanon Tribe
The traditional social hierarchy consisted of five classes: datu,
Customary timawa, oripun, Aeta, and outsiders from across the seas.
Datu - referred to both the social class and the headman who
Law belonged to this class.
Timawa - He had a retinue of personal vassals.
Oripun - The two upper classes were economically supported
by the commoner class
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Livelihood of Aklanon Tribe
The Aklanon people, rely on agriculture,
fishing, and traditional crafts for their
Livelihood livelihoods. Key agricultural products
include rice and corn, while fishing supports
both sustenance and the economy. The
local craft industry thrives on abaca fiber,
producing items like slippers and woven
fabrics such as pina.
Arts and Craft of Aklanon Tribe
The traditional weaving method of piña is
called pili, or sinuksuk. This is a floating weft technique for
embellishing piña fabric accomplished after the cloth
weaving and before it is cut and sewn into a gown.
Arts & Crafts Pina Weiver – is known as the top
producers of pina fabric of the
Philippines. It is use to make barong
tagalog.
AKLANON CLOTHINGS MADE of PINA FABRIC
The traditional weaving method of piña is called pili, or sinuksuk. This is a
floating weft technique for embellishing piña fabric accomplished after the cloth
weaving and before it is cut and sewn into a gown.
Arts & Crafts
Arts and Craft of Aklanon Tribe
Tam-o (Fil. pusô) is the art of weaving palm
leaves into sculptured shapes.
Arts & Crafts The eaki tam-o, the masculine rice pouch,
which is esquinado (with angular corners), and
the bayi tam-o, the female rice pouch, which
resembles a pair of hands clasped together.
Tam-o (Fil. pusô) is the art of weaving palm
leaves into sculptured shapes.
eaki tam-o bayi tam-o
Arts & Crafts
Pottery - The Aklanon are skilled in creating
beautiful clay pots, which are use for cooking and
storage.
Arts & Crafts
Traditions of Aklanon Tribe
The traditional weaving method of piña is
Traditions called pili, or sinuksuk. This is a floating
weft technique for embellishing piña fabric
accomplished after the cloth weaving and
before it is cut and sewn into a gown.
Traditions
Santo Nino
The Aklanon Tribe are known by their
devotion to the Santo Nino or child Jesus.
Aklanon also practice processions during
religious holidays such as the Salubong.
Traditions
Ati-Atihan festival -
Celebrated in the 3rd Sunday of January
(Kalibo). The name ati-atihan means “to imitate
the Ati people”. They also have a street parade
known as Sadsad, which is also what locals call
their way of dancing where the foot is
momentarily dragged along the ground in tune
to the beat played by the marching band. It has
inspired other Philippine festival such as
dinugyang of Iloilo and sinulog in Cebu. Thus, it
other of all Philippine Festivals”. is known as
the “ M
Traditions
Nabas Bariw Festival - May 12-15.
This festival is to commemorate the
Feast Day of St. Isidore the farmer, the
towns patron saint
Traditions
Bugna Festival (May 16) -
launched in 2007, bugna in
tangalan is held annually
showcasing the different locally
made products. “Bugna” is the local
term “Blessings”
Traditions
Kali-Ugyon Festival – a coined
word combining Kalipay (happiness) and hili-
ugyon (unity) is held every December 31 –
January 1 of each year in Libacao, Aklan
where local folks and tourist clad with
customized native apparel dancing on the
streets in merry-making to drive away evil
spirits as the New Year comes.
Beliefs and Practices
The early Aklanon believe in many Gods.
Bululakaw lived in the island’s sacred mountain
called Madya-as. A chief goddess was believed to
reside in the mountain of the nearby island of Negros
Occidental. She was called Laon, after whom Mt
Kanlaon is named. There were mediators to the
gods, also said to be the first priests: Bangutbanwa,
who prayed for good harvests and an orderly
universe; Mangindalon, who interceded for sick
persons and prayed for the punishment of enemies;
and Soliran and Solian, who performed marriage
ceremonies. Manunubo was the good spirit of the
sea.
