Cultural History of Festivals and Rituals in small Philippine Islands

This book explores the cultural history of festivals and rituals in small Philippine islands, highlighting how these celebrations embody the intertwined narratives of faith, identity, and community life. Using a historical-ethnographic approach, it traces the evolution of rituals from precolonial indigenous practices to Spanish-influenced fiestas and contemporary adaptations shaped by tourism and digital media.Through case studies of islands such as Batanes, Siquijor, Romblon, and Biliran, the work reveals how festivals serve as living archives of cultural memory (Assmann, 2011; Connerton, 2019), while also showcasing community resilience and creativity in responding to change (Esteban, 2022; Reyes, 2023). Oral histories, archival sources, and ethnographic fieldwork provide rich insights into symbolic performances, sacred traditions, and collective celebrations.Ultimately, the book underscores that festivals and rituals are not only expressions of joy and devotion but also anchors of identity and cultural continuity for small island communities in the Philippines, ensuring that heritage remains vibrant amid globalization and modern transformations.