News / News Bulletin

Philippines celebrate 'mud people' festival

Sunday, 26 June 2016 5:40 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 26 June 2016 5:41 PM ]

Devotees with their face covered with mud and wearing costume made of banana leaves attend a mass as part of a religious festival in honor of St. John the Baptist, also known locally as the "mud people" festival in Aliaga town, Nueva Ecija province, north of Manila, on June 24, 2016. AFP

There are many cultural and religious festivals in the Philippines throughout the year. Taong Putik, or the 'mud people' festival is one of the most widely known celebrations.

The annual feast takes place in the village of Bibiclat every June . During this time of the year, hundreds of locals and Catholic devotees cover themselves head to toe in mud and wear costumes made from dried banana leaves.

They then walk barefoot towards a church to celebrate the feast day of Saint John the Baptist.

Along the way, they visit houses or ask people for alms in the form of candle or money which they offer to the saints. The annual spectacle has been held in the village since 1945.

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