The province is situated in the northwest portion of Panay Island, bordering Antique to the southwest, and Capiz to the southeast.

The festival showcases tribal dancing through the town's main streets to the tune of ethnic music, with participants in indigenous costumes and gear.

[4] Aklan is believed to have been settled in the 13th century by settlers from Borneo, ruled by Datu Bangkaya, with his seat at Madyanos, near present-day Numancia.

[5] The original towns were Altavas, Balete, Batan, Banga, Buruanga, Ibajay, Kalibo, Lezo, Libacao, Madalag, Malay, Makato, Malinao, Nabas, New Washington, Numancia, and Tangalan, then all part of the province of Capiz.

Jose Raz Menez was appointed the first governor of Aklan by President Magsaysay and he served until December 30, 1959.

[citation needed] Aklan occupies the northern third of the island of Panay and is bordered by the provinces of Capiz from the southeast and Antique from the southwest.

The province covers a total area of 1,821.42 square kilometres (703.25 sq mi)[6], and includes the island of Boracay which is located at its northwestern tip.

The province features high geographic diversity, ranging from white sandy beaches, mangroves and mountainous landscapes.

Other inhabitants include the Negrito, locally known as the Ati and the Sulod, a lesser known tribal group living in the hinterlands of Panay.

Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion of the people and Christian festivals such as Christmas and Lent are regarded with high importance.

Other religions in the province include Members Church of God International (MCGI),[10] Iglesia ni Cristo, and Islam.

However, in terms of copra production, Makato ranks number one with 2,770 metric tons per year; next is Balete with 2,669; and Libacao with 2,399.

Aklan is a top producer of abaca,[20] which are dyed and made into cloths or place mats, bags, wall decors and fans.

[19] The piña cloth, considered the "Queen of the Philippine Fabrics", is a prime produce of Kalibo, weaved from its unique crude wooden or bamboo handloom.

A 1.2-kilometre (0.75 mi) limited-access bridge connecting Caticlan to Boracay is also being proposed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as part of its Public-Private Partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects.

The souring agent (called aeabihig) is traditionally either batuan fruits (Garcinia morella) or libas leaves (Spondias pinnata).

[25][26] Binakol, also spelled binakoe, is a Filipino chicken soup made from chicken cooked in coconut water with grated coconut, green papaya (or chayote), leafy vegetables, garlic, onion, ginger, lemongrass, and patis (fish sauce).

The festivity begins on the dry season, at which time the Ati come down from the mountains to trade and celebrate with the Malayan tribes.

The festival consists of tribal dance, music, accompanied by indigenous costumes and weapons, and parade along the street.

Datu Puti made a trade with the natives and bought the plains for a golden salakot, brass basins and bales of cloth.

The first edition of the UNESCO-backed book included the Ati-atihan Festival, signifying its great importance to Philippine intangible cultural heritage.

The local government of Aklan, in cooperation with the NCCA, was given the right to nominate the Ati-atihan Festival in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.

The highlight of the festival occurs on the third Saturday of January, when groups representing different tribes compete for tourists' attention and prizes.

The festival ends with a procession of thousands of people carrying torches and different kinds of images of the Santo Niño on the third Sunday.

It is highlighted by the dance performance of local talent and ingenuity to the beat of the drums and indigenous rhythm celebrated every May 14 of the year.

Bugna Festival is a festival showcasing the different locally produced products and eco-tourism destinations of Tangalan like the marine sanctuary and coral garden, Afga Point, Campo Verde, Jawili Falls, Bughawi beach and reforestation project every May 16 of the year.

This is the festival celebrated in Libacao every December 30 to January 1, costumed in modern and indigenous outfits bringing people together on the streets for merry-making and to drive away evil spirits in the coming New Year.

Three mangrove species are in the World's Red List namely Avicennia rumphiana (Vulnerable), Ceriops decandra (Nearly Threatened) and Camptostemon philippinense (Endangered) are documented in the forest of Ibajay, Aklan.