Since 2000 BC, the Ibaloi people in the Philippines have practiced a unique burial culture.
The hundreds of years old Kabayan mummies are the result of prolonged smoking of both the inside and outside of the body, a practice reserved for tribal leaders.
Mummification was a common practice in ancient times. Discovered in the caves of Kabayan in Benguet province, Philippines, the Kabayan mummies are remains preserved through an extended dehydration process. They provide researchers with insights into the unique mummification process and the tribal people who applied this method, according to Ancient Origins.
They make the dying person drink extremely salty brine, causing severe dehydration and rapid shriveling of the body. When this person passes away, their body is smoked and burned, resulting in a mummy that can last for thousands of years.
The Ibaloi are an indigenous people of the Philippines, primarily residing in the northern region. They are concentrated in the cities of Kabayan, Bokod, Sablan, Tublay, La Trinidad, Tuba, and Itogon; with a total population of over 110,000 people.
The Ibaloi people rely on agriculture. They practice terrace farming, cultivating rice and other staple crops common in Southeast Asia, such as sweet potatoes and taro. The Ibaloi belief system includes the worship of deities and ancestral spirits. They perform animal sacrifice rituals, prepare offerings, and present rice wine.
According to Ibaloi mythology, in ancient times humanity committed many sins. They angered the gods, who created a great flood to annihilate all humans. When this flood swept over Mt. Pulog (a mythical location), only one couple survived. They are considered the common ancestors of the Ibaloi people.
The social life of the Ibaloi is quite complex, with a division between the rich and the poor. Wealthy households are referred to as baknang, living in extended family systems that include 4 to 5 couples and their children in one residence. Poor households are called abiteg, consisting of a nuclear family of only one couple and their children.
Ibaloi fire mummies in the Philippines.
According to researchers in the Philippines, from around 2000 BC, the Ibaloi practiced a special burial rite exclusively for the wealthy: Mummification. This is known as Ibaloi mummies, Benguet mummies, Kabayan mummies, or fire mummies.
Most mummification customs worldwide occur only after the individual has passed away. However, for the Ibaloi people, the preparation begins as soon as the person is near death.
Only tribal leaders are allowed to undergo the mummification process through smoking. They are given extremely salty water to drink. The salt concentration is so high that it cleanses the organs, leading to severe dehydration of the body. After a few weeks to several months, the body becomes shriveled.
Kabayan – a town in Benguet province, northern Luzon, Philippines, is home to the majority of Ibaloi people, known worldwide for their unique mummification practices.
This practice was carried out by the Ibaloi long before Spanish colonizers invaded the Philippines. Mummification was conducted in a lengthy ritual reserved for those of high status in the community.
The mummification technique of the Ibaloi relies on the use of salt and herbs combined with the action of fire. This process can take up to 2 years.
Once completely dried, the mummies are placed inside a coffin made of pine wood and buried in a natural or artificially carved cave within the rock.
This practice ended when the Spanish occupied the Philippines and imposed Catholicism on the indigenous community. Since then, the caves containing the mummies have been abandoned for a long time.
In recent decades, many caves have been disturbed by grave robbers. Tourism has also contributed to the damage and loss of the mummies.
Currently, there are over 200 caves on the slopes around Kabayan, with 15 of them containing mummies. Additionally, there may be many other caves containing mummies buried within the mountains.
The Philippine Archaeological Agency has actively collaborated with international organizations to research and preserve these mummies. Numerous management measures have been implemented to protect the mummies from negative human impacts.
Currently, the Kabayan mummies have been recognized by the Philippine government as a national heritage, symbolizing the unique culture and beliefs of the Ibaloi tribe, which need special preservation.
This site has also been submitted by the Philippines to UNESCO for World Heritage status consideration.
Today, the Kabayan mummies remain in the caves where they were discovered. Although the caves are located in a remote area, theft and vandalism have become significant concerns, placing this cave system among the 100 most endangered sites in the world, and it is being considered for UNESCO World Heritage status. The Kabayan mummies, which have existed for hundreds of years, are still at risk of destruction and disappearance. By protecting the Kabayan caves and keeping the mummy site confidential, local authorities can ensure their safety for future generations.
