|
Philippines is an archipelago comprising
of several small islands, located
in south east Asia. People from different
ethnic backgrounds reside in Philippines
with different religious backgrounds.
Festivals and celebrations are an
important aspect of life in Philippines.
offers an insight into Araquio
Festival.
The Araquio Festival is celebrated
mainly in Nueva Ecija a province in
Central Luzon of Philippines. The
Central Luzon is famous for its rice
production. The Araquio festival is
observed in the month of May every
year. The festival starts with the
brilliant parade early in the morning.
The Araquio festival holds a historical
significance behind its celebrations.
This particular festival is celebrated
through out a week. The historical
significance that lies behind this
festival dates back to the Spanish
colonial rule in Philippines. During
the Spanish rule in Philippines log
drawn battles were fought between
the Christians and the Muslims, one
tried to captivate the other. This
particular festival signifies the
end of such battles and the unity
between the two religions.
The festival is observed by both
the Christians and the Muslims. The
participants in the Araquio Parade
put on bright colored clothes and
costumes. Both males and females participate
in the parade; if one wants to distinguish
between the Christians and the Muslims
then he needs to have a sharp eye
sight. The Muslim women wear feather
head dress where as the Christian
women put on sashes which are known
as banda. The Christian men wear dresses
of blue and black colors whereas the
Muslim men wear dresses of bright
red. The parade is also full of brass
band players playing merry making
songs. Several groups, each comprising
sixteen members of which nine are
Christians and seven are Muslims.
One of the Christian performer in
each group dresses as the Queen Reyna
Elena and another as the King Haring,
the rest of the performers serve as
their servants. In the Muslim team
the same procedure is followed. However,
the Muslims are led by only their
Emperor Ordalisa.
The Filipino History records that
the Araquio festival was first celebrated
in Penaranda, approximately 120 to
122 years before. It is usually said
the brass bands, music, songs and
other elements of merry making are
inevitable in this festival. The merry
makings replicate the eternal unity
between the Muslim and the Christians.
The festival is of immense significance
to the Filipinos as it symbolizes
fraternity between two distinct religious
communities.
For more such information on festivals
and their ways of celebrations please
log on to our website,.
|
