Philippines Rich Igorot Woman Smoked Burial 1920s Real Photo Postcard

The Igorot people, indigenous groups inhabiting the Cordillera Central mountains of Luzon, Philippines, traditionally practiced an elaborate form of mummification. This complex ritual, often reserved for high-status individuals, involved preserving the deceased through processes like smoking, anointing with herbs, and specific preparations, as indicated by the postcard's title "Smoked 24 Days." The goal was to desiccate the body, preventing decay and ensuring the spirit's continued presence among the living.

This ancient practice held deep spiritual and cultural significance, allowing ancestors to serve as guardians and intercessors for their families. Such traditional burial customs were prevalent among certain Igorot subgroups, including the Ibaloi and Kankana-ey, well into the early 20th century. Postcards like this served as ethnographic documentation, capturing unique indigenous traditions during the American colonial period in the Philippines and disseminating these cultural insights to a broader global audience.