Why Are Ancient Coffins Hanging From China’s Cliffs?
Know the mystery of hanging coffins & the Bo People of China.
History testifies how we have, for years, used creative burial ways — from elaborate tombs to hanging the coffins. Yes, the hanging coffin is a fascinating funeral Asian custom, mainly found in Southwestern China, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
As the name suggests, the coffins literally hang in the air from a cliff’s side above a flowing river. Some of the coffins still hanging today had been put out there thousands of years ago. Who put them? How? And why? Let’s dig into the details of all such burning questions.
Origins of the burial custom
Guyue and Bo’s People started this interesting burial custom. The latter was an ethnic minority dwelling on the borders of China’s Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. We are talking about the people who existed three thousand years ago but whose traces vanished soon.
Why? The Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 AD) had persecuted many, forcing them to flee to neighboring regions for survival. For their protection, they changed their identities and mingled with the local population. But until they lived fearlessly, the Bo people darted their area with vibrant culture.
