Sagada's Traditional Burial the Hanging Coffin way

The Hanging Coffins of Sagada | Image Credits : Tripzilla

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Sagada hanging coffins are a gem that one can only reach through an exhausting trek. 

During the Pre-Hispanic era, relatives and loved ones of the deceased would travel the beaten path in order to place the coffin inside the Lumiang Cave. 

Prior to that, a 5-day pre-burial ritual was required during which the body was preserved using smoke.

The hanging coffins of Sagada may be awkwardly placed but for ancient Igorots, the bizarre tradition was meant to put their loved ones closer to heaven. 

Sadly, even dangerous heights have failed to stop some tourists from doing bad deeds. Reports said that the bones within the hanging coffins were stolen either as souvenirs or for other purposes God only knows.

Video Credits: Gareth Likigan

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Perhaps its about time for the local government to employ all efforts to preserve these unusual yet marvelous reminders of our past. Sagada hanging coffins are not just a tourist spot but also vanguards of history that highly deserve protection.

Interesting facts about the Hanging Coffins of Sagada:

• Igorot tradition only permitted those who died from natural causes to be placed inside the hanging coffins. Those who either died as infants or from illnesses were believed to bring bad luck if enclosed in the coffins.

• The ancient Igorots hung the coffins first using difficult techniques that are left to our own imagination. Once the coffins were properly suspended, the bodies wrapped in cloth would then be placed inside them.

• The person who would get a drop of blood while the wrapped body of the deceased were being passed towards the coffin was considered the luckiest. The blood symbolizes good fortune.

Source: FilipiKnow