Two Farmers Die During Underwater Ritual to Settle Land Dispute in Philippines

Two farmers have died after taking part in a traditional underwater endurance ritual meant to resolve a land ownership dispute in the southern Philippines. The men entered the Glamang River at the same time after community mediation reportedly failed. In the ritual, known as sulif, the person who surfaces first is considered to have lost the dispute. A relative of one of the men said the customary limit was about two minutes, but alleged they remained underwater for far longer before help came. Other reports gave different timings. Both men were pulled out unconscious and later died in hospital. Police are investigating the circumstances of the deaths and the conduct of the ritual.

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