Search

The hanging coffins of Sagada in the Philippines

The hanging coffins of Sagada in the Philippines

The people of Sagada follow a unique burial ritual in which the dead are buried in coffins which are tied or nailed to the side of cliffs. These “hanging coffins“ can be found in various locations like China, Indonesia, and the Philippines. This culture buried their dead on cliffs for centuries because they believed that they will be closer to heaven and that the younger generations will benefit spiritually from this ritual. 

In the Lumiang Burial Cave, located on a hilltop called Echo Valley, lay a stack of coffins which enclose some of the oldest Igorot ancestors who have laid their dead. They were dressed in family colors and prints because they wanted the dead to be recognized by their ancestors in the next life.

The hanging coffins of Sagada | Flickr
The hanging coffins of Sagada | Flickr

 

The Igorot tribe feared to be buried in the ground because water would eventually seep into the soil ant their bodies would rot faster.

The coffins were made smaller than the actual size of the human body because they wanted the body to assume a “fetal position” – a preferred technique by ancient Igorots who believed that in that way they will bring peace to the departed’s soul. Igorot tradition only permitted those who died from natural causes to be buried in this way. If someone was ill or died as an infant, it was believed that it could bring only a bad luck to the tribe.

The bizarre tradition was to put their loved ones closer to heaven. | Flickr
The bizarre tradition was to put their loved ones closer to heaven. | Flickr

 

It is claimed that this practice is over 2,000 years old. The coffins were carved by the elderly before they die because of their belief that a person should leave the world in the same position that she or he entered it.

Close view of one of the coffins. | Flickr
Close view of one of the coffins. | Flickr

 

Although this is a fascinating burial custom, there are many questions about this ritual that are still unanswered. However, this burial tradition is slowly dying because younger generations have adopted modern ways of life and they are influenced by the Christian beliefs so there are very few who choose to follow this burial tradition today. 

Source : The Vintage News

Akhyari Hananto

I began my career in the banking industry in 1997, and stayed approx 6 years in it. This industry boost his knowledge about the economic condition in Indonesia, both macro and micro, and how to More understand it. My banking career continued in Yogyakarta when I joined in a program funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB),as the coordinator for a program aimed to help improve the quality of learning and teaching process in private universities in Yogyakarta. When the earthquake stroke Yogyakarta, I chose to join an international NGO working in the area of ?disaster response and management, which allows me to help rebuild the city, as well as other disaster-stricken area in Indonesia. I went on to become the coordinator for emergency response in the Asia Pacific region. Then I was assigned for 1 year in Cambodia, as a country coordinator mostly to deliver developmental programs (water and sanitation, education, livelihood). In 2009, he continued his career as a protocol and HR officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya, and two years later I joined the Political and Economic Section until now, where i have to deal with extensive range of people and government officials, as well as private and government institution troughout eastern Indonesia. I am the founder and Editor-in-Chief in Good News From Indonesia (GNFI), a growing and influential social media movement, and was selected as one of The Most Influential Netizen 2011 by The Marketeers magazine. I also wrote a book on "Fundamentals of Disaster Management in 2007"?, "Good News From Indonesia : Beragam Prestasi Anak Bangsa di dunia"? which was luanched in August 2013, and "Indonesia Bersyukur"? which is launched in Sept 2013. In 2014, 3 books were released in which i was one of the writer; "Indonesia Pelangi Dunia"?, "Indonesia The Untold Stories"? and "Growing! Meretas Jalan Kejayaan" I give lectures to students in lectures nationwide, sharing on full range of issues, from economy, to diplomacy Less
View all posts

Terima kasih telah membaca sampai di sini