Aklanon

Aklanon refers to the people and language of Aklan, a province on Panay Island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. The Aklanon are a Visayan ethnolinguistic group native to Aklan, with most residents identifying as Roman Catholic, a result of centuries of Spanish influence. Communities of other faiths are present, reflecting the country’s religious diversity.

The Aklanon language is a member of the Visayan language family. It is spoken by the majority of people in Aklan and by communities in nearby areas. Aklanon is closely related to other Western Visayan languages such as Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a but retains distinctive vocabulary and pronunciation. It uses the Latin alphabet and is employed in local education, media, and everyday communication; many speakers are bilingual in Filipino (Tagalog) or English.

Culturally, the Aklanons preserve traditional crafts, music, and coastal and agricultural livelihoods. The Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival is a prominent cultural event in the province, featuring street dancing, drum performances, and participants painted in ochre as part of a celebration associated with Santo Niño devotion. Daily life in Aklan also emphasizes family and community traditions, which reflect the broader Panay Island heritage within the Philippines.