A Unique Tradition

[jennie]

In keeping with Halloween, I want to share a burial tradition and couple of shots taken in Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines. Sagada is 5,000 ft above sea level and is known for its hanging coffins and interconnecting caves with beautiful rock formations. The culture is heavily influenced by the Americans as they settled in the area because of the cool climate. However, the inhabitant managed to hold on to some of their beliefs and preserved their own unique culture in the process:

This quaint structure is the Episcopalian church of St.Mary built by the American missionaries..


..it was almost sunset and I was lucky to have a bit of light from the outside..


As it was raining at that time, I was not able to take a shot of the hanging coffins outside the cave but these are the coffins in the wall of the caves..the coffin was prepared by the person before he dies..it is a short hollowed log so the bones have to be broken so the body can fit inside ..then the coffin will be hanged as it is believed that the spirits of the dead can roam around and be with their love ones..this is a tradition practiced for almost 2,000 years now..


This is the cemetery beside the church..an option for those who wants to be buried underground..(i think this will look well in b&w but i am leaving Dizwold to his own thing..lol..)


Tnx for looking and Happy Halloween!

[Shelley S.]

I really love your church pictures. Thanks for sharing the history/culture with us!

[leonaashlee]

Wow, that was really interesting Jennie. Thanks for the lesson and the wonderful photos.

[Preacherman]

Thanks for these Jennie. The documentary is as fascinating as the pics. I learn a great deal from your posts, and not just about photography. God bless for now. PAUL

[dvetter]

Jenne, I really like that second shot! It is sort of an eerie set. Thanks for the info. Isn't the Filipino holiday comparison to Halloween called All Saints Day?

[PointNShoot]

What an interesting tradition.

[martha36]

Thanks for making me a little smarter today! I love the light and color in the first shot. I really find it hard to believe you use a point-n-shoot.

[vimalkv]

Nice shots Jennie...Also thank you for explaining the tradition....

[Chewys Dad]

Hi Jennie! Thank You for showing us a little more of you Country! I really like the 2nd shot, you used the available light well and the DOF is very nice. Hope we get to see some of those hanging coffins in the future.
Thanks for sharing these
Michael.

[ajithpr]

the second picture is wonderful. good job.