"Cotton Pods and Bamboo"

Many Festivals are celebrated in the home of Vigan such as the Kannawidan Festival and the Longganisa Festival to name a few. And each of these Festivals are deeply rooted in their history and culture, including the one that involves cotton pods and bamboo sticks. In this blog I will be doing a little explanation on the Binatbatan Festival, it’s roots, it’s purpose, and the activities done during the time of the celebration.

Binatbatan Festival is celebrated on May 11, 2021, in the time of the Viva Vigan Festival Arts. It got its name from the Iluko term “batbatin”, the process of separating cotton balls from the seeds of the local fruit tree, Kapas Sanglay, or from the word, “batbat”, a pair of bamboo sticks used to separate the cotton pods from what I found. It’s roots traces back to the Abel Weaving Industry that existed long before the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines and where the Abel Iloko, a woven cloth distinct in the Ilocos Region, is made. During the Festival, you’ll see it hanging around Vigan, especially in Calle Crisologo, and on the Binatbatan Street Dancers. Speaking of which, the Binatbatan Street Dancing is when the people dress themselves with the native woven cloth and dance in the streets to commemorate the Abel Iloko hand-loom weaving industry. The people even imitate the motions of making the hand-wooven cloth during the dancing. Another thing that happens is the Binatbatan Street Dancing Competition. As the name implies, it’s where people compete on which group of dancers performed the best during the span of the contest. The reason why they do is to maintain the popularity of the whole tourism industry of the northern region. And to promote awareness of the historic value of the city in hopes to preserve and strengthen the resolve to protect the heritage site and the many stories behind it all.

In short, Binatbatan Festival is celebrated to commemorate the hand-loom weaving industry. It got its name from the word “batbatin”, the process of making Abel Iloko, or “batbat”, the pair of bamboo sticks used to separate the cotton pods. It features Street Dancing and Street Dancing Competitions during the span of the Festival and the reason why they do is to maintain popularity of the tourism industry and promote awareness of the historic value of the city.


Cites/Sources:
Viva Vigan Binatbatan Festival of the Arts – generosepomelo

Binatbatan Festival - Ilocos Sur Events (localphilippines.com)

Viva Vigan Festival of the Arts | Vigan.ph

Binatbatan Festival (slideshare.net)

[Vigan] ► Binatbatan Festival: A Festival of Cottons and Fabric - EDMARATION #TownExplorer • TRAVEL BLOG

Come and Join the Binatbatan Festival in Ilocos Sur | Travel to the Philippines

Agoda Official Site | Free Cancellation & Booking Deals | Over 2 Million Hotels

Comments

  1. Esh1 June 2022 at 07:27

    Maintaining the popularity and awareness on the historic value of our city even amidst the pandemic shows the genuine love we have for our locality and that is truly beautiful. Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete

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