By Nathan Allen

To Honor Santo Niño…

This religious festival is to honor the Santo Niño, which is the oldest religious image of Jesus in the Philippines. Devotees believe it to be miraculous.

However, the event is also to celebrate the arrival of the Malays on Panay island, which was sold to them by the indigenous Ati tribe.

The festival is broken up into 3 separate parts: Ati-Ati Street Dancing, Kasadyahan Street Dancing, and the search for Miss Dinagyang. Performers must wear costumes created from native materials. Each tribal dance includes drumming – much of which is done live.

(More photos)

The dancers really give it their all…sometimes, the performances made me smile. Other times, the intensity humbled and overwhelmed me. I felt so proud. Often, these are high school kids competing, and I couldn’t help but imagine all the hard work that goes into their costumes and routines.

The passion and dedication of these young performers really shines throughout the festival!

So Many Fiestas in the Philippines…

Dinagyang is one of many colorful festivals, or fiestas in the Philippines. If you include town fiestas all over the country, the number is likely over 10,000 each year! Christmas celebrations are the largest, and unbelievably, the festivities extend all the way from September to January! No, it’s not a white Christmas, but it very well could be the longest in the world:)

Dinagyang is impressive, but it hasn’t blown up in popularity yet. That’s another reason why I love it so much…because other well-known festivals like Sinulog in Cebu are quickly becoming choked with crowds.

I am very tempted to come back to Dinagyang again! Next time I might also visit Gigantes Island – Iloilo province’s very own paradise island a few hours away!

More Information About Iloilo, the “City of Love”

I think Iloilo is one of the most progressive and forward-thinking cities in the Philippines. Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog seems to be well loved, and as far as I can tell, sets a great example for other Philippine leaders.

I was also impressed by the “food culture” there in Iloilo – what a wide variety of sleek, independently-owned restaurants they have! Ilongos seem to have good taste. While visiting, try to stop by the Deco’s or Netong’s at the market, so you can enjoy their signature dishes: Pancit Molo, and Batchoy.

Of course, Iloilo is also known for it’s beautiful churches. be sure to check out the “growing statue” of Jaro Cathedral, and the women saints of Molo Church. Also worth noting are the city’s lovingly restored heritage houses.

Many thanks to my “new family” at Days Hotel for taking great care of me during my stay in Iloilo. As always, I only partner with businesses that strive for excellence, and Days Hotel is no exception:)

Please tell them I said hi!

You can find more information in my Iloilo blog below…enjoy Dinagyang!!

-Nathan Allen

www.idreamedofthis.com

Related Links:

My Iloilo Blog Post

My Miagao Blog Post

My Antique Blog Post

Like my page to follow along with me:)  – Nathan

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The post Dinagyang Festival – A Cultural Explosion in the Philippines appeared first on I Dreamed Of This.

  Words & Photos By Nathan Allen

Legend states that the Hindu mother goddess gave a spear to Murugan, the god of war. With this spear, she helped him destroy an evil demon.

Once a year on the full moon, Tamil Hindus around the world commemorate this during the fascinating Thaipusam Festival. They do so by fasting for 48 hours, and carrying heavy pots of milk on their heads. Others, incredibly, by “spearing” their own skin.

Some even wear heavy, elaborate metal cages that are literally “fish hooked” and chained into their bodies – in up to HUNDREDS of places. Here are more photos of these fascinating rituals…

Nighttime Festival Photos

Singapore’s procession starts quite late on the eve of the full moon.  Devotees gather at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in “Little India”. The first group of worshipers depart carry pots of milk or offerings (paal kudam) on their heads.

For many, this is where the (intentional) suffering begins. Men and women stand and walk in this position for many hours. Friends and relatives join them on the festival route (3kms – 5kms), to offer not just moral support, but physical support as well. As you can see, it’s quite exhausting.

This suffering is seen as a way to pay back the “debts” owed to lord Murugan.

However, not everybody seemed to be suffering. Many devotees appeared to be in good spirits, laughing and visiting with each other along the way. Perhaps they were just getting started on the route, and exhaustion hadn’t set in yet.

This man is carrying a “kavadi”, a colorful, intricate cage that rests on (or all around) you. He is burdening himself with this weight to assist in the healing of a loved one…or perhaps to repay his own spiritual debts.

This seems to be a simple, unattached kavadi. As you’ll see later, others are much larger, and are often hooked directly into the flesh.

The devotees continue down Serangoon Road until they get backed up waiting to cross Bukit Timah and head downtown. This was a great place to photograph the group as a whole.

I can only imagine how painful it must be to stay locked in this position, carrying these heavy milk pots for hours and hours…

Kavadi Photos in Daylight

The attendees walk through the early morning, and the procession ends at Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on Tank Road. I opted to go home and rest before returning the next day for more photos.

I returned the next morning to a beautiful, but oppressively warm day.

Here you can see a kavadi “cage” that is pierced directly into the skin of this worshiper. Countless chains are “fish hooked” into his chest, and decorative spikes have been pierced through his tongue and cheeks.

I believe even his ears are chained to the kavadi poles on his sides.

The Kavadi Attam “Burden Dance”

As if this burden wasn’t enough to bear already, these men stop along the procession route and dance under the weight of their chained bondage. The soft, traditional voices being played through the speakers are cut, and replaced with thunderous, energetic drumming and singing.

Again, the route is 3km – 5kms, depending on the festival location. In the harsh tropical sun, it’s downright grueling.

However, it is also a colorful, lively affair…the crowd claps and sings along, taking photos and video.  Amazingly, the performers almost seem to enjoy it…

Almost.

Women & Children Join The Procession

Men aren’t the only ones showing their strength and courage. I noted hundreds of women carrying milk pots along the route, and quite a few with pierced tongues and cheeks as well. The woman above even appears to have a pierced forehead…

While there were many children simply walking alongside their parents, a few went the extra mile and carried a burden for themselves. I think they must be 18 or 21 years old to take part in the piercing, however. https://lap.lazada.com/banner/dynamic.php?banner_id=5a7a80633bf5f&theme=1&p=1

This is where the photos get a bit graphic. These are not just fishing hooks – they are massive, industrial-grade meat hooks, pierced and looped through the skin of the back. For what I assume is continual suffering, they are attached to ropes, and kept taught during the entirety of the festival.

It was quite surreal to see so many smiles amidst the suffering. Since they were out in public, part of me wondered if attendees are encouraged to “soften” things a bit by smiling for tourists when they see them. It would make sense, because some uninformed tourists might mistake a festival that brings people closer to God for one of pure torture instead.

Yes, this is religious devotion at its most intense.

This is the front view of the man with hooks in his back – carrying on a conversation like it’s just a normal day…astonishing.

This group was accompanied by a large chariot, which blesses the crowds’ offering plates as it passes by. These plates are filled with fruits and sweets.

Perhaps the heat and exhaustion is just too much for some. Even in a “resting” position, the ropes are pulled tight to continue the devotion.

Those without a “rope puller” often attach heavy fruits to their hooks – the weight adding to the pain and suffering. Presumably this is for more blessings / attention from lord Murugan.

(Continued below…but I do hope you’ll consider following along with me)

What an honor to be a guest, and witness such intense cultural traditions.

More Info About Thaipusam

Of course, Tamil people originated from the state of Tamil Nadu, India, so the Thaipusam Festival is not just restricted to Singapore…it takes place anywhere there is a sizeable Tamil Hindu population.

I learned that in Tamil, “Thai” means month, and “pusam” means star. The festival always takes place during the full moon in the month of Thai, which falls in January / February.

Photography is permitted, assuming you are respectful and avoid interrupting the procession.

Where to Stay

Little India is actually a great place to find more affordable hotels in Singapore. There is a colorful “backpackers district” there, but of course, Singapore has options at all price points. If you’re looking for an modern, extravagant hotel, you can find that as well. Check out Booking.com:

Despite the (seemingly) brutal ritual, the participants and organisers were all in great spirits. They were very kind to me (and all guests), offering free water, juice, and snacks. I have to give it up to the police as well…it must be difficult running such a massive, cultural  festival through the heart of gleaming downtown Singapore, and on a workday no less.

It was masterfully done, and a joy to attend.

To those who still say Singapore has no culture, I offer this post…and many more to come:) This is part of the reason I love this country so much. You can simply walk through the city – and leave feeling like you’ve traveled the world.

– Nathan Allen

www.idreamedofthis.com

Thanks for reading, and feel free to share!

More Of My Singapore Photography

Dynamic Street Photography in Singapore

Festive Street Photography in Singapore’s Chinatown

Street Photography in Singapore’s “Little India”

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The post Thaipusam: A Deeply Religious Flesh-Piercing Festival in Singapore appeared first on I Dreamed Of This.

 By Nathan Allen

After the positive response from my recent series “Manila in Black and White“, I decided to use the B&W format to capture the beauty of life in the Philippine countryside.

In my mind, it’s perfect. A timeless format for these timeless landscapes.

I captured the following images with my little Sony RX100III.

A Story in Pictures – Life In The Provinces.

As I walked toward the sea, I noticed these 3 men…and wondered how many generations their families have been fishing here.

This is one of my favorite shots. A few fishing boats have been pulled off the beach, and I found this one resting on the pavement under some dramatic storm clouds.

Sto. Domingo is known for it’s black sand beaches, and here I found a local fisherman casting his line directly from the shore. A black sand beach lends itself perfectly to striking black and white photography, I realized.

These regions of Bicol are often hit by typhoons coming in from the open waters of the Pacific. In fact, I was near here, in Legazpi, when typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines. I volunteered for repacking relief goods afterward.

(continued below)

Farms, Rice Fields & The Countryside

I found this little guy while walking through a rice field. He is already black and white, so I suppose he feels perfectly at home without color:)

There are so many beautiful tropical plants and fruits in the Philippines. Here I captured some bright young papaya contrasted against the dark rice seedlings growing behind it.

Around the Barangay

In the Philippines, a neighborhood is called a “barangay”. The community is quite tight-knit, and for the most part, everybody looks out for each other.

This picture of an old Spanish church was actually taken from a moving car. I guess I was pretty lucky. With a fast lens and the right shutter speed settings, you can also capture some truly candid photos this way!

Here is a nice slice of everyday provincial life. I assume this is a lola (grandmother) walking with her grandson in the rain. Small pathways like this often lead through barangays in the provinces.

As a photographer, I am always fascinated by the colorful clothes hanging out to dry in the Philippine sun. I guess I love the splash of color against the lush green background of coconut trees. Of course, the shot below is black and white, but the shirts were all white anyway, so it was perfect…

(Again, all of these photos were taken with a Sony RX100III pocket camera. That link above is for Amazon, but you can find it in the Philippines and Singapore HERE. I am not partnered with Sony, but using those links will help me create more content like this)

Home In Time For Dinner

There is nothing like real home cooked food in the Philippines. For me, the deeper in the provinces I go, the better the food tastes. Family is expected to eat meals together whenever possible…I always enjoy seeing how these traditions are preserved.

The image above shows a typical indoor kitchen, but I think meals are generally cooked in a connecting outdoor or “open air” kitchen (pictured below).

In this series, I tried to provide a unique and artistic glimpse into provincial Filipino life – I hope I achieved this, and I certainly hope you enjoyed. Please feel free to share, and join me for more adventures on FB!

– Nathan Allen

(Updated January 18, 2021)

www.idreamedofthis.com

Like my page to follow along with me  – Nathan

Click the camera image below to read more about the Sony RX100III featured in this article…

Goodbye, Gopro…I Finally Review the TG-4 Underwater Camera in the Philippines

Have something to add?  Please leave a comment! 

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