36 tribes join Kalibo Ati fest
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – At least 36 Ati tribes participated in the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival grand parade yesterday, according to the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Management Board (KAMB).
KAMB, headed by Mayor Raymar Rebaldo, said all participating groups should “adhere to the age-old tradition that made Kalibo Ati-Atihan famous - dance steps and drumbeat must be Kalibo’s original and not copied from other festivities.”
In the Balik Ati/Aboriginal Tribal Group, the participants were Kinantu-ing, Bolingon Balik-Ati, Tribu Ilanyanhon, Lilo-anong Ati nga Mananggiti, Mobonians, Pinaeabi, Tribu Isalacan and Maninikop
The participating groups for the Tribal Big Group were Tribu Tiis-Tiis, Dajan-on Tribe, Manhanip Tribe, Kabog, Black Beauty Boys and Maharlika Tribe.
“And like the Malay settlers, visitors, tourists and pilgrims have found a home in Aklan every 3rd week of January where the beating of the drums and bagtoes and the sound of the lire kept enticing them back to this Ati-Atihan town,” Rebaldo added.
There were 7 tribes in the Tribal Small Group – Tribu Niñolitos, Tribu Dagatnon, Tribu Linabuanon, tribu it Panay, D’Kamanggahan Tribe, Morongga Tribe, Tribu and Tribu Tipon-Tipon.
In the Modern Big Group, there were eight participants - Samurai Blue Japan, Mego, Kamaeos, Aeang-aeang, Tribu Magbaeata, Footslugger, Abernano and Scorpio 11-19.
The Modern Small Group had five participants – Bugs, D-Emagine, Enigma, Ngok-ngok and Butterfly Brigade.
Gorilla, Recycled V, The Tribe, The Modern, King of Carnival, Anipse Alagat, Mananggiti nga Ati, Absurongsong, Bamboo Girl, Mother of Festival-Kalibo Ati-Atihan and the Peacock the Manok-Manok Queen completed the Individual Participant category.