Katagman Festival - Iloilo Events

Katagman Festival

May 3 | OtonIloilo

 

Katagman Festival is a yearly celebration in Oton, Iloilo which celebrates the ancient Ilonggo culture as Katagmans. Merrymakers in the Katagman Festival dancve to the beat of traditional instruments adorned with golden eye and nose piece or deathmask, a replica of the golden mask dug in Oton in 1973.

 

The mask is part of the ancient burial custom and was used to ward off and protect the deceased from evil spirits and for guidance in he afterlife. The original deathmask is currently enshrined at the National Museum in Manila.

 

The festival is celebrated with a theatrical dance competition as the highlight followed with minor events such as garden show, porma-balas, and motor boat race among others.

 

Read more on how the people of Oton celebrate the Katagman Festival.