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Sinulog
in
honor of
Santo
Niño
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Caracteristics of the
festival The
famous Sinulog festival in Cebu City is held every year on the third
Sunday of
January. The festival is characterized
by
a
very long parade with many groups of persons dressed in colourful costumes,
finding their way through
the
streets while dancing the Sinulog. To
distinguish the festival from the popular
Ati-Atihan Festival on Panay island, |
this festival is characterized by a different dance. This Sinulog dance,
is now the traditional and ritual dance in honor of
Santo Niño. The dance is accompanied by the sound of the drums:
all the time moving two steps forward followed by one
step backward. Though the dance is already very old, the parade is rather
young! 1980 was the first year that the parade was organized. |
Pictures:
© wm
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The
origin
The
Sinulog was already danced by the locals in honor of their wooden statues in the period before the Cebuanos were baptized.
Later on, after the image of the famous Santo Niño was brought to Cebu
and the Catholic faith was established in the region, the dance was made a
part of the yearly fiesta in honor of the Santo Niño.
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While
dancing, people are shouting
petitions and thanksgivings to
the Santo Niño. Shouting is necessary because the pilgrims have to be sure that they
will be heard by the Santo Niño.
“Pit Señor! Señor
Santo Niño, Manoy Kiloy...."
The Sinulog became indeed a dance ritual in honor of Santo
Niño!
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sources:
Sinulog Foundation
Inc. |
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Click
a picture for more information about the specific festival |
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