The Binanog Banog Dance originated from the province of Western Samar, Philippines. The indigenous people of the Waray-Waray ethnicity perform this dance to display the rich cultural heritage of their ancestors. The Waray-Waray people live in the Eastern Visayas region and Binanog Banog represents their indigenous dance. The dance is usually performed during celebrations, festivals, and social gatherings to showcase their cultural identity. The dance is also performed during the Ati-Atihan Festival, an annual festival held in Kalibo, Aklan in honor of the Santo Niño (Child Jesus).
Cultural significance
Binanog Banog is a traditional Waray dance performed during festivals and celebrations to honor the patron saints or as a form of thanksgiving. It is also a way for the people to preserve and showcase their cultural identity. The dance movements typically depict daily activities such as farming, fishing, and other traditional practices of the Waray-Waray people. It features rhythmic movements that symbolize the movements of farmers planting and harvesting crops, and the movements of fishermen paddling their boats and casting their nets. The dance also emphasizes the importance of cooperation, unity, and harmony within the community.