Philippines: Stairway To Heaven 10

 
In many places, the bones are cleaned a day after death and placed in special sacred places (e.g. in a house of spirits).

Jaws or even whole skulls are worn by widows or "mourners" on a string around their necks. In general, they pay special attention to skulls - also because of the belief that the spirit of the deceased resides in the skull.

Text & Photos: Janin Klemenčič (to be continued)

Philippines: Stairway To Heaven 9

 
O. Johnson reports that on the island of Vao they believe that the soul separates from the body in the ground and goes to "heaven" deep in the earth.

Therefore, they bury the elderly alive and celebrate the event by dancing on the fresh grave. It happens that some of the unfortunate buried ones dig themselves up, but they are buried again. 

 Text & Photos: Janin Klemenčič (to be continued)

Philippines: Stairway To Heaven 8

 
Funeral customs in different parts of Oceania vary widely and are sometimes very unusual for our concepts.

In some places, the bodies are buried wrapped in a squatting position, in others they are burned, and in still other places they are fed to their protectors - sharks.

Text & Photos: Janin Klemenčič (to be continued)

Philippines: Stairway To Heaven 7

 
The residents of Sagada are nice and friendly people, like most Filipinos. However, they could not tell me why some of the coffins were open, with bones protruding from them.

Perhaps they were looted by robbers, or wild animals.

Text & Photos: Janin Klemenčič (to be continued)