You may never have heard of Mt. Pulag in the Philippines, but as you are about to see, it’s a stunning corner of the globe…
With dense jungles, ancient villages, and no shortage of undiscovered caves, Mt. Pulag is not for the faint of heart. Legend has it that many travelers have passed through Mt Pulag, only to never be seen again. Only the very bravest of the brave would even dare to venture to its heights, and only the strongest survive. So what’s lurking inside this mountaintop cave? Are you ready to feel some shivers down your spine?
Mt. Pulag
As you can see, we weren’t kidding about the plush jungle where this mountain is located. For miles, all the eye can see is luscious green trees and fields…
‘Sea of Clouds’
The mountain is situated so high up, that when it gets cloudy, you are literaly in the clouds themselves. That’s the reason why the locals call it the ‘sea of clouds.’
Tough Access
In order to reach the caves woven into the mountain, one needs to negotiate some perils. The rock shelters are only accessible via narrow, twisted paths, with crooked stone steps.
Warm Welcome
It looks like something out of an Indiana Jones movie, but it is in fact the entrance to the ancient caves. The rickety bridge is scary enough, but just wait till you see what’s in the cave…
Guided Tour
These days, the caves are a big tourist attraction, for those who are brave enough. If you want to visit there, you’ll need to be accompanied by a local tour guide.
Peek Inside…
The ancient people who lived here would bury their dead in tiny boxes, after they were mummified. Scarily though, it is said that part of the mummification process took place even before the person was dead!
Five Mummies
The mummies in this cave are known as the “Five Mummies” but are also referred to as the Ibaloi Mummies. Anthropologists date them as far back as 2000 B.C.
Mummification
The modern-day Ibaloi have a tradition regarding the mummification process, and scientists also have their ideas. Interestingly, when a person was dying in ancient times, they would drink a salty liquid which would initiate the process before they passed.
Dried Out
Following the death of a tribe member, their body was washed and then placed in a sitting-down pose, above flames. They did this in order to dry out the bodies, before putting them in the caves.
Tobacco Smoke
It is said that as a person was dying, tribe members would blow tobacco smoke into their mouths to assist with drying out the body. Again, essentially before the person had even passed.
Curled Up
After a corpse was completely dried out, it was curled up as small as possible and put into wooden box. Unmarried people were buried alone, while family members were usually buried together.
Untouched
After explorers arrived on the islands from Spain in the 1500s, the mummification process came to an end in favor of traditional Christian burial. As such, the caves were left untouched for centuries.
300 Years
It took a good 300 years until the ancient tribe moved back to the mountain, and revealed what was inside all those caves.
Looting
Even though the caves were designated a National Cultural Treasure, vandals still showed up and looted some of the tombs, which was a terrible loss for scientists.
The Chief
Every tribe has its chief, and this is no exception. His name was apparently Apo Annu, and was one of the most decorated mummies who was stolen from the caves in the 1900s. He eventually was returned to his resting place in 1999
Human Gods
Other stolen mummies were returned over the years, while some are still at large. But there is evidence that some people were considered to be Gods, and ones that allegedly haunt the mountain.
No More Risks
As a result of the robberies, the current-day Ibaloi are taking no risks. They are now keeping most of the ancient corpses in a secret location, closely guarded.
World Heritage Site
The remains have no been deemed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and are also listed by the World Monuments Fund.
The remains have no been deemed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and are also listed by the World Monuments Fund.
Rituals
A number of caves on the mountain are gated, as the Ibalois try to protect their heritage. They also carry out ritualistic ceremonies at the sites of some of the gated caves.
Ibaloi Guides
If you are planning to visit this ancient monument, you are advised to book a native Ibaloi guide, as they have an intimate knowledge of the area and the history.
If you are planning to visit this ancient monument, you are advised to book a native Ibaloi guide, as they have an intimate knowledge of the area and the history.
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