Fire Mummies

The Fire Mummies of the Philippines, also known as the Kabayan Mummies, Benguet Mummies, or Ibaloi Mummies, are a group of mummies found in Kabayan, a town in the northern part of the Philippines.

History

Among the Ibaloi, the deceased were placed in a fetal position into oval-shaped wooden coffins with etched anthropomorphic and geometric designs. The coffins were placed in mountainside caves, the location of which remained unknown for most of their history.

Today

After logging operations intensified in the area, the location of many caves became known. Unfortunately this has led to looting, as unconscientious visitors have been eager to leave their mark, including graffiti, on the Kabayan mummies. The Kabayan Mummies were listed in the 1998 World Monuments Watch by the World Monuments Fund. Funding through American Express was used for emergency conservation and the creation of a comprehensive management plan. Additionally, local authorities from surrounding municipalities collaborated in cultural awareness campaign to introduce the Mummies to the Philippine people. Tourist facilities were also constructed in order to control visitation and prevent harmful intrusions.^[1]

References

See also

• Colin Amery and Brian Curran, Vanishing Histories, Harry N. Abrams, New York, NY: 2001, p. 107.
• Walter Ang, "The Mummy - that Brendan Fraser didn't see," Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. E4.

External links

• Fire Mummies of the Philippines
• Kabayan Mummies

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