Part of a tour offered in Loay, Bohol, Philippines is a visit to an Ati tribe relocation site along the banks of the Loboc River. The tour starts near the Clarin Bridge in Loay town where guests board a floating restaurant that will take them on a cruise on the Loboc River. They make a stopover at the Ati Tribe Village halfway through the cruise. This river tour is operated by Rio Verde Floating Restaurant.

I have been on this tour for more than four times already. The Ati tribe entertain tourists in exchange for tips. Let me share to you the ways on how they do it.

As the floating restaurant nears the Ati village, tourists are welcomed by the sound of drum beating. The drums are pretty basic and made from indigenous materials. Yet the tribal beat is truly inviting.

Ati men on drums

Many tourists are enamored with the Ati's adorable kids. They do draw the most tips from visitors. Although I have discussed with some of my friends how these kids are possibly abused by the lucrative tourism industry in Bohol. Abused in the sense that they are deprived of their childhood in exchange for trying to earn a living for their families.

Ati kids entertaining tourists

The Atis also like to show off their exotic pets to tourists. Most are iguanas or some other exotic lizards.

Ati girl holding up an iguana

Mostly for a show, the Ati tribe of Bohol also display their weaponry. They consist mostly of bamboo and stone spears and bows and arrows.

Ati warriors pose for tourists