Ati, the Indigenous People of Panay: Their Journey, Ancestral Birthright and Loss
Hollins University Hollins Digital Commons Dance MFA Student Scholarship Dance 5-2020 Ati, the Indigenous People of Panay: Their Journey, Ancestral Birthright and Loss Annielille Gavino Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.hollins.edu/dancemfastudents Part of the South and Southeast Asian Languages and Societies Commons HOLLINS UNIVERSITY MASTER OF FINE ARTS DANCE Ati, the Indigenous People of Panay: Their Journey, Ancestral Birthright and Loss Monday, May 7, 2020 Annielille Gavino Low Residency Track- Two Summer ABSTRACT: This research investigates the Ati people, the indigenous people of Panay Island, Philippines— their origins, current economic status, ancestral rights, development issues, and challenges. This particular inquiry draws attention to the history of the Ati people ( also known as Aetas, Aytas, Agtas, Batak, Mamanwa ) as the first settlers of the islands. In contrast to this, a festive reenactment portraying Ati people dancing in the tourism sponsored Dinagyang and Ati-Atihan festival will be explored. This paper aims to compare the displacement of the Ati as marginalized minorities in contrast to how they are celebrated and portrayed in the dance festivals. Methodology My own field research was conducted through interviews of three Ati communities of Panay, two Dinagyang Festival choreographers, and a discussion with cultural anthropologist, Dr. Alicia P. Magos, and a visit to the Museo de Iloilo. Further data was conducted through scholarly research, newspaper readings, articles, and video documentaries. Due to limited findings on the Ati, I also searched under the blanket term, Negrito ( term used during colonial to post colonial times to describe Ati, Aeta, Agta, Ayta,Batak, Mamanwa ) and the Austronesians and Austo-Melanesians ( genetic ancestor of the Negrito indigenous group ).
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