A visit to Achutupu’s historic cemetery gives our guests a unique insight into Guna views of life and death. It is up-river in an undulating,elevated mainland location at the edge of the rainforest (burial is impossible on the low lying coral reef occupied by Achutupu’s community).
The funeral corteges arrive here by canoe, and then wind their way through dense growth until, finally, scattered palm roofs come into view between the trees, the open shelters over the graves.
In the Guna burial ritual the deceased is interred in a hammock suspended between two upright poles in a previously prepared excavation. The self- supported protective covering becomes a flat platform upon which are placed floral decorations and personal items in homage to the loved one.
A flag mounted outside a particular tomb denotes that it houses the remains of a respected community leader. .
You will leave the green tranquillity of this hallowed setting with many images to store in your memory
