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In Pictures: Mud people of the Philippines

Each year, a group of Filipino villagers cover themselves with mud and pray to Saint John the Baptist.

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A man assists his fellow devotee for the early morning preparation of the "Taong Putik" festival on June 24, 2013, in Aliaga, a town north of Manila, Philippines. The historically significant religious festival is based on paying homage to patron saint John the Baptist.
By Pat Roque
Published On 24 Jun 2013

Aliaga, Philippines – Taong Putik, or “mud people”, is a historically significant festival in the Phillipines, where devotees wear dried banana leaves stuck together by mud, while paying homage to Saint John the Baptist.

“I was cured from sickness and it is very seldom that I got sick, thanks to Saint John the Baptist,” said Ryan Perez, a 38-year-old farmer from the village of Aliaga. Since the area is predominantly Catholic, many people here attribute a lot of what happens in their lives as a part of God’s will.

Origins of the festival remain unknown. According to one local legend, Japanese soldiers during World War II were about to execute people in the village. Right when the soldiers lined people up for execution, the Japanese changed their minds in the midst of a downpour. After being spared from capital punishment, the villagers rolled around on the muddy ground in celebration. The residents attributed this to a miracle by St John the Baptist and vowed to pay homage to him on his feast day.

Devotees soak their costume of dried banana leaves in muddy water before wearing it.
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Devotees, covered with mud and wearing their costumes made of dried banana, grass or coconut leaves, observe the "Taong Putik," or Mud People festival.
Participants offer lighted candles during an early morning outdoor mass.
A worshipper lights a candle as others buy them outside the church compound.
Congregants attend an early morning outdoor mass for the solemn religious ceremony.
A young boy moves while wearing a costume of dried banana leaves.
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A devotee pays homage to patron saint John the Baptist. Origins of the festival remain unknown.
Aliaga is a Catholic community where they revere Saint John the Baptist as a healer.
Band members are also covered with mud. After the procession, devotees participate in a feast.
The mud people festival is also a provincial phenomenon, with many towns and villages celebrating.