The custom of burying the dead differs between cultures. The most common and generally applied method in societies is to bury the dead under the tomb or sarcophagus in a way that is not visible. However, in some societies, very unusual and frightening methods can also be applied. One of these is the tradition of hanging coffins in some societies in China, Indonesia and the Philippines. Coffins hung on the slopes of steep cliffs are an interesting tradition that has been practiced for centuries.
Hanging coffins in China are located 33 to 165 feet above the ground. In fact, the height of these coffins can sometimes reach up to 328 feet. The oldest coffin is one of those found in eastern Fujian, dating back 3,000 years. It is known that the locals living in this region have continued the tradition of hanging coffins for many years. Usually, these coffins are located in secluded, almost inaccessible valley slopes or caves.
The Reason for Hanging the Dead on High Places
The Igorot tribe, a mysterious community, put the dead people in handmade wooden coffins and hang them on steep cliffs instead of burying them in the ground. These people are known as the Sagada people of the Philippines, who also lived in China. The reason for the emergence of this tradition, where and how it came from is not known exactly. But there are various assumptions about the origin of the tradition. One of them is that by hanging the dead high, they think that they will be closer to heaven. Another is to hang the dead high to prevent them from being harmed by wild animals and natural disasters. According to some, this tradition was applied to keep the soil suitable for agriculture.
It is known that the tradition of hanging the dead in mountainous and high places is a tradition that has lasted for more than 2000 years. This tradition still continues today. There are hundreds of coffins hanging on the steep cliffs of the valley, which is considered sacred, around Sagada. The elders of the town prepare their own coffins by carving them from hardwood before they die. If he is too old or sick to make his own coffin, his relatives prepare it. Coffins with animal figures engraved on their covers can weigh up to 150 kilos.
After the death of the person, the funeral ceremony is held for 5 days. The body of the deceased then undergoes various mummification processes. After this process, the prepared corpse is shrouded and placed in the coffin. Some of the bones of the dead are broken in order to be placed in coffins smaller than their height. The prepared coffins are circulated in the town with applause and it is believed that this ceremony will bring good luck to the funeral. It is believed that it will bring good luck if the blood of the deceased is smeared on the bearers during the transport. After this process, the coffins are placed on the slopes of the steep cliffs with the help of wooden piers and ropes. If the coffin of one of the relatives of the deceased is located in this area, the newly arrived coffin is placed on or near him.
Although hanging coffins is still a practice among the Sagada people, many people today practice normal burial. It is known that the last hanging coffin burial was held in 2010. In addition to the coffins hanging on the slopes of the steep cliffs, there are also many coffins at the cave entrances. It is possible to see the coffins, which are thought to be about 500 years old, at the entrance of Lumiang Cave. Human bones can be seen from the coffins that have been damaged over time. These coffins, which create extremely interesting images, are visited by tourists.
Unusual Methods Applied to Funerals in Societies
It is known that the first creature to practice religious rituals while burying the dead and bury them was the Neanderthal man, who lived 250 thousand years ago. These rituals differed in societies, but continued to be practiced for generations. Some of the religious ceremonies practiced are quite strange. Some of these strange methods are as follows;
In India, women in ancient times were buried or cremated alive with their deceased husbands.
Hittites‘However, if the deceased was a king, only his flesh was burned, his bones were cleaned and oiled, and he was buried in a special container with perfumes.
living in indonesia Toraja tribe, He takes the dead out of the grave and dresses them up. A similar tradition is observed among the natives of Madagascar. They also take the deceased from the grave in order to satisfy the longing, change their shroud and bury them back.
in the Sumerians If the deceased is a king or a member of the royal family, a human sacrifice was made for that person. At the same time, the relatives, soldiers, wife, concubines or animals of the deceased were buried with this person. This tradition has been practiced quite widely.
Papua New Guinea’of the Tribes living in the Morobe mountain region, after removing the oil of the dead, hang the corpse on the mountain slopes. The oil that comes out of the dead is used by the relatives of the deceased on their bodies or used in meals.
