Mountain Province: Sagada - Wooden Coffins at the Lumiang Cave.

After the exhausting spelunking at the Sumaguing Cave, we rested at the stall beside the gate and had a refreshing cold “Halo-Halo” while relaxing and recharging energy. 

We drove to our next stop – the Lumiang Burial Cave.  We parked and walked down the trail at the back of a mini store.  Got to be careful stepping on the dried pine needles scattered on the grounds, they’re smooth and slippery.

Going down is easy through the constructed stairs with steel railings, as you go further though, it’s just earth paths.  You’ll be reaching the mouth of the cave in about 15 minutes or less, depending on your speed.

Upon reaching the cave, you’ll find several wooden coffins stacked on top of one another.  It differs with the coffins at the Echo Valley, those were suspended on air by some ropes clinging on the rock cliff, whereas these ones are just placed at the mouth of the cave.

According to local tale, the coffins at the mouth of the cave were placed there in the belief that the lights  getting in the cave protect the souls of the dead against bad spirits.  On the other hand, people believe that the practice of hanging coffins high above the ground brings them nearer to their ancestral spirits.

Although there’s a considerable amount of tombs on the new cemetery right before the Echo valley at the back of the Anglican church at the town center which probably is preferred by locals nowadays due to the spread of Catholicism and Protestantism in Sagada.

Next destination on the tour itinerary -  Bokong Falls.