The mysterious Hanging Coffins of Sagada located on Luzon Island in the Phillipines demonstrate the unique funerary traditions of the Igorot, an indigenous tribe from the area. The coffins, which are hung with ropes and wires, are suspended along limestone cliffs and have fascinated visitors for centuries. There are some interesting guidelines surrounding eligibility for…
Customs and Lore
BURKE AND HARE: THE ORIGINAL BODY SNATCHERS
'Burking' is defined as the crime of murdering a person, ordinarily by smothering, for the purpose of selling their corpse. The word 'burking' is derived from a man who perfected this method, one William Burke. Along with his partner William Hare, the pair wreaked havoc for a ten month period in 1828 throughout the city…
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RABBIT, RABBIT
Do you say "rabbit rabbit" on the first of the month to ensure good luck? While the origin of this rodent repetition is mostly unknown it seems to be most prevalent in Britain and North America and is rumored to go back as far as the 13th century. The custom is possibly attributable to Celtic tribes…
APPRECIATING THE BLACK CAT
It's Black Cat Appreciation Day!Time to celebrate this often feared feline. Black Cat Appreciation Day was created by Wayne H. Morris to honor of his late sister, June, who had a black cat named Sinbad. The day was chosen to commemorate her passing. Why do some people fear the black cat? Well, we can probably…
TO DANCE WITH DEATH
Danse Macabre- the haunting orchestral masterpiece that originated in the early 1870's by Saint-Saëns was originally not so well received. Bummer. Enter Franz Liszt to put his magic fingers to work and what do ya know... it became quite a hit. 🎹 I must admit I prefer the rather chaotic original version...but I digress. If you want…