Malay Ghost Myths - Other Ghosts

Other Ghosts

• Hantu Air (water spirits) live in large bodies of water, such as a river or lake. Some are said to be the ghosts of people who drowned, but they are generally independent spirits. If they show themselves, it is usually in the form of a floating log. They can be dangerous, and may drown or eat people. Until the 1960s, Malays in Trengganu would regularly pay respects to the sea spirits in the puja laut ceremony.

• Hantu galah (pole ghost) is a very tall and thin ghost found among trees and bamboo. To make it disappear, a person simply picks up a stick or twig and breaks it. It is normally female.

• Hantu kopek (nipple ghost) appears as an old woman with pendulous breasts.

• Hantu laut (sea spirits) are animistic water spirits who assist fishermen and sailors. Until the 1960s, Malays in Trengganu used to regularly pay respects to the sea spirits through the puja pantai or puja laut ceremony.

• Jembalang tanah are earth demons, which may act dangerously if not appeased with the proper rituals.

• Jenglot are doll-like vampiric creatures said to be found in the jungles. They are usually female. What are claimed to be dead jenglot are sometimes sold or exhibited, but they appear to be man-made.

• Orang minyak (oily man) is a cursed man who rapes women at night. Because he is covered in oil, he's difficult to catch.

• Pocong or hantu bungkus (wrapped ghost) are undead corpses wrapped in a white burial shroud. When a person is buried, the shroud is supposed to be untied. If it remains tied at the top, the body is supposed to become a pocong. They feed on the blood of babies.