LAMILAMIHAN FESTIVAL

Lami-Lamihan Festival is a yearly festival celebrated in Lamitan,

Basilan during 2nd or 3rd Week of April, showcases the traditional

Yakan customs and traditions, music and dances, and traditional

crafts. Natives dressed in colorful attires participate in horse races,

parades and a lot more.

The legendary figure Pedro Javier Cuevas known as Datu

kalun to the Yakans, escapee from the San Ramon Penal Farm

who through bravery and leadership subjugated Yakan

chieftains and consolidated their forces into one, way

back in 1878 and continued his reign up to 1899, founded

Lamitan in 1886.

Lami-Lamihan was born out of his reign. The meeting of

Yakan chieftains – a blend of conference and merry –

making was termed Paglami-Lamihan. Incidentally, Lamitan

is derived from this term.

Fr. Stoffel wrote that “The town of Lamitan was named by the first Spaniards

 from Isabela who explored this area. When the Spaniards arrived the Moros

 were celebrating a native festival. The Explorers inquired the name of the

place and the Moros thought they were inquiring about, and the replied Paglami-

Lamihan. The Spaniards, misunderstanding their answer, thereafter called the

place “Lamitan”.

The Lami-Lamihan festival highlights the preservation of the yakan

culture heritage, customs, traditions, history, and showcasing the unique

and world-renowned colorful Yakan cloth and cultural presentations.

Witness the famous Yakan war dance (Tumahik) performed by

the natives, an event reminiscent of a glorious past when

differences were oftentimes settled by personal combat; observe

the graceful movements of the local beauties dancing to the

 pulsating beat through the accompaniment of the primitive

agaong, kulintangan, gabbang and kuliang; enjoy the sight of

an annual ethnic games; hear the unique blend of beatings of

different musical instruments played by the natives; watch

the graceful Yakan dance ensemble; witness the authentic Yakan

wedding and see other interesting visual scenes.

The consistent observance of the foundation of Lamitan jibes with the

 national policy on upholding the rich cultural heritage of our people

 has already earned the recognition of the Department of Tourism and

has been included in the list of Philippines Festivals and Events Calendar.