Cultural Heritage

Binatbatan Festival traces its roots from the abel weaving industry of Vigan which has been in existence even before the Spaniards came to colonize the Philippines. It comes from the word batbat, a pair of bamboo stick used to separate cotton pods that come from a tall tree called kapas sanglay. The word "kapas" from kapas sanglay means "cotton" in Ilocano.

Street dancers of the Binatbatan Festival joyfully and cheerfully wave their "batbat," some simulate the method done by abel-weavers in separating the cottons as they gracefully perform the process artistically with the beat of the drums and lyres rolling around the historic streets of the heritage city of Vigan. Viva Vigan's week-long celebrations have both religious and common significance. It begins on the first of May, when the entire nation observes Labor Day and Vigan recalls its own Isabelo de los Reyes, who established the nation's first league of work.

The catholic dedicated additionally recalls on this day St. Joseph, supporter holy person of specialists. The principal day remembrance is trailed by the Binatbatan Festival festivities, which incorporates a road moving rivalry. Binatbatan moving is associated with Vigan's abel Iloco make. The move portrays how cotton cases are beaten with bamboo sticks to discharge the cotton lighten called batbat from its seed.






Reference/s:

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