Kabayan Mummies in Benguet, Philippines

The Kabayan mummies are found inside the man-made burial in Timbak cave, Bangao cave, Tinongchol cave, Naapay cave and Opdas cave under the municipality of Benguet Province in the Cordillera Mountain Ranges of northern Luzon. These are tribal Ibaloi mummies dated between 10th to 16th century.

The Ibaloi, the dominant ethno-linguistic group, of Kabayan have a long traditional practice of mummifying their dead. Mummification began prior to the Spanish colonization. Individuals from the higher societal stratum of the Ibaloi of Kabayan used to be mummified through a long ritual process over a long period of time.

The mummification begun before the person dies. The person drinks a very salty drink that starts the process. Then, after death, the body is washed and made to seat in a sangadil (death chair) set over a low fire. This is done to start the drying of the body. A jar is also placed under the chair to collect its fluids. After the fluids had been drained the body is brought out to the sun to hasten drying. Then the outer skin is being peeled off by the elders. Then tobacco smoke is blown into the body to help in drying the internal organs. Finally the juices of herbs are continuously rubbed very gently on the body.

It is said the mummification may take up to two years. When the body is finally rid of body fluids, the mummy is placed inside a pinewood coffin and laid to rest in a man-made cave or in niche dug-out from solid rock. The remains are then placed in wooden coffins and interred in man-made burial niches in rocks or rock shelters and/or natural caves.

More than 200 man-made burial caves have been identified and 15 of which contain preserved human mummies. The Kabayan mummy burial caves are officially proclaimed Philippine National Cultural Treasures pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 374 which has to be preserved protect and maintain for future generation as a manifestation of the skills and ingenuity associated with religious belief of the Ibaloi culture and tradition.