Considered to be the pride of Mountain Province, Sagada is a cultural goldmine and a canvas painted with the brilliance and beauty of nature.
Being there was truly wonderful
Though there are a lot of great places to check out in Sagada, the one place that really struck me was the famous hanging coffins. And that’s where this blog is going to be focused on.
When I first heard about the place, I was seriously creeped out and I almost didn’t want to go. But once there, I managed to understand the historical brilliance of Sagada’s most visited place.
I learned that the coffins were all carved and created by the elderly before they pass. If the person was sick or if they’re too weak to work, they will pass the job to their sons or another person they trust. The burial ritual of the Sagada people involves pushing the bodies into these tight places where bones are broken because of the process. Once the body of the deceased is put inside the coffin, its then bought to caves high above the cliffs where they will join millions of their passed ancestors.
According to their tradition, the placement of the coffins signifies how much the deceased was loved. So, the higher the coffin the more people loved and valued that person.
It was also an old belief that placing the coffins in a high place means that they’re putting their loved ones closer to heaven. So, the culture of the Hanging coffins of Sagada is also the search and yearning for eternal peace for the people who have left them.
Located in the dark corners of the Lumiang cave, the Hanging coffins of Sagada is the line between bizarre and fascinating. More impressive than any horror movie you could watch, the place is a fascinating glimpse of ancient times displayed in the province’s interesting culture.
Images from:
www.byahengpinoy.com
http://asucachan.deviantart.com
