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{{Short description|Mythological creature}}
{{Redirect|Kuntilanak|the 2006 film|Kuntilanak (film)}}
{{Other uses|Pontianak (disambiguation)}} {{distinguish|Pontianak}}
{{for|the films|Kuntilanak (2006 film)|Kuntilanak (2018 film)}}
{{Indonesian mythology and folklore}}
The '''Kuntilanak''' (Indonesian name), also called '''Pontianak''' (Malay name), or '''Yakshi''' (in Hinduism/ Hindu mythology) is a mythological creature in ], ] and ]. It is similar to ] in other ] regions. The Kuntilanak usually takes the form of a pregnant woman who died during childbirth. Alternatively, it is often described as a vengeful female ]. Another form of the Kuntilanak refers to the ghost or ] of Southeast Asian folklore.


The Kuntilanak is often depicted as a long-haired woman dressed in white. She lures in unsuspecting men to incite fear and enact revenge. Signs that a Kuntilanak is nearby include the sound of an infant crying and the smell of a decaying corpse or the ] flower.{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}
The '''pontianak''' (Dutch-Indonesian spelling: ''boentianak'', ]: ڤونتيانق) is a female vampiric ghost in ] and ]. It is also known as a '''matianak''' or '''kuntilanak''', sometimes shortened to '''kunti'''. Pontianak is called '''Churel''', or '''Churayl''', in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. The pontianak are said to be the spirits of women who died while pregnant. This is despite the fact that the earliest recordings of pontianaks in Malay lore describe the ghi swassup Once the ugly ghost ate the bebe
==Etymology==
The word ''pontianak'' is reportedly a corruption of the ] ''perempuan mati beranak'', or “]”.<ref>Lee R. ''The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories.'' 2nd ed. Singapore: Flame of the Forest, 1989.</ref> Another theory is that the word is a combination of ''puan'' (woman) + ''mati'' (die) + ''anak'' (child). The term ''matianak'' means "death of a child". The city of ] in Indonesia is named after this wicked creature, which was claimed to have haunted the first sultan who once settled there.


==Appearance== == Etymology ==
Kuntilanak or Pontianak is often described as an astral female spirit; another version of this figure is a woman spirit with long sharp fangs and fingernails. It is similar to the spirit of a woman unable to give birth while her stillborn child was inside her womb. This figure is mainly known to reside in the Kalimantan region containing the city of Pontianak.
Pontianaks are usually depicted as pale-skinned women with long black hair, red eyes, and white dress smeared in blood, but they are said to be able to take on a beautiful humanly appearance since they prey on men and helpless people. They can also be beasts due to their bloodthirsty and carnivorous nature.


The Pontianak can disguise herself using the appearance of a beautiful woman to lure her prey. In Malaysia, lore depicts them as "vampiric" blood-suckers that dissect through the internal organs of men.
In folklore, a pontianak usually arises at full moon and announces her presence through high-pitched baby cries. If the cry is soft, it means that the pontianak is near, and if it is loud, then she must be far. Some believe that if ones hears a dog howling at night, that means the pontianak is far, but if a dog is whining, that means the pontianak is nearby. Her presence can sometimes be detected by a nice floral fragrance identifiable as that of the ], followed by an awful stench (resembling that of a decaying body) afterwards. The Indian version, the Churail, can be identified by her feet turning backwards just before her transformation into her vampiric form.
<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Duile|first=Timo|date=2020|title=Kuntilanak: Ghost Narratives and Malay Modernity in Pontianak, Indonesia|journal=Bijdragen tot de Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde|volume=176|issue=2/3|pages=279–303|doi=10.1163/22134379-17601001|jstor=26916440|issn=0006-2294|doi-access=free}}</ref>


The Pontianak is derived from myths and folktales, some of which are particularly popular in ] (Borneo). Being one of the most famous pieces of ], it inspired the name of a capital city in the Western Kalimantan region, called ]. The legend of the city of Pontianak holds that the city began as an old trading station, infested with ghosts until ] and his army drove them away with cannon fire. He then constructed a mosque and a palace on the site. These buildings became the city and the seat of the ]. Holiday celebrations often include firing bamboo cannons to pay tribute to the Sultan.<ref> (''in Indonesian'')</ref>
A pontianak kills her victims by digging into their stomach with her sharp fingernails and devouring their body organs. In some cases where the pontianak desires revenge against a male individual, the beast rips out the body organs with her hands. It is said that if one has his or eyes open when a pontianak is near, she will suck them out of the victim's head. Pontianak locates her preys/victims by sniffing out the hanging laundry outside. For this reason, some Malaysians refuse to leave any piece of clothing outside of their house overnight.


==Physical appearance and behavior==
The pontianak is associated with ] trees, and her spirit is said to reside in them during the day.
{{Original research|date=May 2021}}
The Kuntilanak (Pontianak) is often depicted as a beautiful woman with pale skin, red eyes, and long black hair. She is often dressed in a blood-smeared white dress. The Kuntilanak is also described as changing into a more monstrous form when she captures her prey which is typically men or helpless people. Because she is bloodthirsty and has a carnivorous nature, a Pontianak can also appear as a beast or a ghost, resembling the ] vampire.


Pontianak only appears under the ] and typically announces her presence with the cries of infants or feminine laughter. It is said that if the sounds are quiet, she is nearby, but if they are loud, she is far away. Some sources also state that a dog howling at night indicates that a Pontianak is present, but not too close; if the dog whines, then a Pontianak is near. Its presence is also said to be heralded by a floral fragrance, identifiable as that of the ] flower, followed by a stench similar to that of a decaying corpse.
To fend off a pontianak, a nail should be plunged into the hole on the nape of her neck. This is said to make her turn into a beautiful woman and a good wife until the nail is removed. In the case of the kuntilanak, the nail is plunged into the apex of her head.


The Pontianak kills her victims by using her long fingernails to physically remove their internal organs to be eaten. In cases where the Pontianak desires revenge and retribution against a man, it is said to eviscerate the victim with its hands. If a victim has their eyes open when a Pontianak is near, she will suck them out of their head. The Pontianak is said to locate her prey by the scent of their clean laundry; because of this, some Malaysians refuse to leave any piece of clothing outside their house overnight.
The Indonesian kuntilanak is similar to the pontianak, but commonly takes the form of a bird and sucks the blood of virgins and young women. The bird, which makes a "ke-ke-ke" sound as it flies, may be sent through some black magic to make a woman fell sick, the characteristic symptom is vaginal bleeding. In her female form, when a man approaches her, she suddenly turns and reveals that her back is hollow, but this apparition is more specifically referred to ].


The Pontianak is associated with ] trees, and her spirit is said to reside in them during the day. According to folklore, a Pontianak can be fought off by driving a nail into the hole on the nape of her neck, which causes her to turn into a beautiful woman and a good wife until the nail is removed.
==Sightings==

There are numerous sightings of the Pontianak/Lang suir all over South East Asia, particularly in Malaysia and Indonesia. Most of them are hoaxes. In August 2010 there was a video caught by a group of Malaysian Policeman ] in the town of Bentong, Pahang, Malaysia. The 2-minute-long video does not show the apparition of the Pontianak at all in her full form.<ref>Chandran83. '']'', Pahang, 15 August 2010. Retrieved on 5 February 2013.</ref>
The ]n Kuntilanak is similar to the Pontianak in ], but commonly takes the form of a bird and sucks the blood of ] and young women. The bird, which makes a "Ke-ke-ke" sound as it flies, may be sent through ] to make a woman fall ill;<ref>{{Citation|title=Suara kuntilanak ketawa / Jurig Jurig| date=17 August 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VWTdzlOMO0|access-date=2023-04-09}}</ref> the characteristic symptom being ]. When a man approaches her in her female form, the Kuntilanak suddenly turns and reveals that her back is hollow, much like the ] the prostitute ghost with her large gaping hole on her back. A Kuntilanak can be subdued by plunging a sharp nail into the top of her head.


==In popular culture== ==In popular culture==
The Kuntilanak has been portrayed in Indonesian and Malaysian ]s and on ] and ].
* Indonesian films, see also ]

** ''Kuntilanak'' (1962) starring ]
* Malaysian films:
** '']'' (1957)
** ''Dendam Pontianak'' (1957)
** ''Sumpah Pontianak'' (1958)
** ''Anak Pontianak'', also known as ''The Pontianak Child'' (1958)
** ''The Return of Pontianak'' (1963)
** ''Pontianak Musang Cave'' (1964)
** ''Pontianak''<ref>Pontianak (1975) =https://m.imdb.com/title/tt3305344/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2</ref> (1975)
** '']'' (2004)
** ''Perempuan, Pontianak dan Dot Dot Dot'' (2004)
** ''Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam 2'' (2005)
** ''The Scream of Pontianak'' (2005)
** ''Anak Pontianak TV Series'' (2007)
** ''Ponti Anak Remaja'' (2009)
** ''Ponti Anak Remaja Mini Series'' (2010)
** ''Help! My Girlfriend Is A Pontianak'' (2011)
** ''Pontianak vs Oily Man'' (2012)
** ''The Nail of Pontianak'' (2013)
** ''Misteri Bisikan Pontianak'' (2013)<ref>Misteri Bisikan Pontianak (2013)=https://m.imdb.com/title/tt3145626/?ref_=fn_al_tt_17</ref>
** ''Pontianak Sesat Dalam Kampung Telemovie'' (2016)
** ''Dendam Pontianak'' (2019)
** ''Ex Aku Pontianak'', also known as ''My Ex Is A Pontianak'' (2022)
**] (2023)
* Indonesian films:
** ''Kuntilanak'' (1962)
** ''Kuntilanak'' (1974) ** ''Kuntilanak'' (1974)
** ''Lawang Sewu'' (2007) ** '']'' (2007)
** ''Casablanca Tunnel (Red Kuntilanak)'' (2007) ** '']'' (''Red Kuntilanak'') (2007)
** ''Kuntilanak's Nest'' (2008) ** ''Kuntilanak's Nest'' (2008)
** '']'' (2006), ''Kuntilanak 2'' (2007), ''Kuntilanak 3'' (2008) ** '']'' (2006), ''Kuntilanak 2'' (2007), '']'' (2008)
** ''Kuntilanak's Morgue'' (2009) ** ''Kuntilanak's Morgue'' (2009)
** ''Kuntilanak Beranak'' (2009)<ref>{{Citation|last=Nuala|first=Nayato Fio|title=Kuntilanak Beranak|date=2009-02-12|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1369674/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0|type=Horror|others=Garneta Haruni, Monique Henry, Dion Wiyoko, Vikri Rahmat|publisher=Mitra Pictures|access-date=2021-03-02}}</ref>
** ''Kuntilanak Beranak'' (2009)
** ''Nail Demon'' (2009)<ref>{{Citation|last=Purwono|first=Findo|title=Paku Kuntilanak|date=2009-07-23|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1462596/|type=Horror|others=Dewi Perssik, Heather Storm, Keith Foo, Kiwil|publisher=Maxima Pictures|access-date=2021-03-02}}</ref>
** ''The Nail of Kuntilanak'' (2009)
** ''Santet Kuntilanak'' (2012)<ref>{{Citation|title=Santet Kuntilanak (2012) - IMDb|date=8 March 2012|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2251780/|access-date=2021-03-02}}</ref>
** ''Santet Kuntilanak'' (2012)
** '']'' (2018)
*Indonesian Video Game
* Indonesian Video Games:
** '']'' (2014) ** '']'' (2014)
** ''Pamali: Indonesian Folklore Horror'' (2018)<ref>{{Cite web|title=pamali - Google Search|url=https://www.google.com/search?q=pamali|access-date=2021-04-07|website=www.google.com}}</ref>
* Malaysian films
* Singaporean films:
** ''The Pontianak Child'' (1958)
** ''Pontianak Musang Cave'' (1964) ** ''Return of Pontianak'', also known as ''Voodoo Magic'' (2001)
** ''Dendam Pontianak'', also known as '']'' (2019)<ref name="revengeofthepontianak">{{cite news|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9113332/|title=Revenge of the Pontianak|work=IMDb|access-date=17 August 2019}}</ref>
** ''The Return of Kuntilanak'' (1963)
* Hong Kong films:
** '']'' (2004)
** ''Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam 2'' (2005) ** ''The Demon's Baby'' (1998)
* Malaysian fiction:
** '']'' (2005)
** '']'' (2011)
** '']'' (2012)
** '']'' (2013)
* Malaysian fiction
** ''The House of Aunts'' (2011) by ]<ref>{{cite news ** ''The House of Aunts'' (2011) by ]<ref>{{cite news
| title = The House of Aunts | title = The House of Aunts
| date = 2011-12-01 | date = 2011-12-01
| url = http://giganotosaurus.org/2011/12/01/the-house-of-aunts/ | url = http://giganotosaurus.org/2011/12/01/the-house-of-aunts/
| accessdate = 2015-04-13}}</ref> | access-date = 2015-04-13}}</ref>
*American fiction
**'']: Cold Fire''


* Singaporean fiction:
==Related folklore==
** '']'': "Nobody"
{{Main|Tiyanak}}
* American fiction:
In ] folklore, the vampiric ] shares many similarities in terms of origin with the pontianak. However, the tiyanak is the ghost of the child rather than the mother.
** '']'': "Cold Fire"
* Internet Subculture:
** The ] Mika Melatika of ] ID is described in her character lore as a kuntilanak.


==See also== ==See also==
{{Portal|Mythology|Indonesia|Malaysia}}{{Div col|colwidth=30em|content=* ]
{{Portal|Folklore}}
*] * ]
*] * ]
*] * ]
*] * ]
*] * ]
* ]
*] (Κῆρες), spirits of violent or cruel death in ]
* ]
*]
*] * ]
*] * ]
* ]
* ]}}


==References== ==References==
Line 75: Line 105:


==External links== ==External links==
*
*
* (requires a login and password) — an essay by Dr. Timothy White of the National University of Singapore about the important role played by 1950s and 1960s horror films in the evolution of Pontianak mythology
*
*—an essay by Dr Timothy White of the National University of Singapore, about the important role played by 1950s and 1960s horror films in the evolution of pontianak mythology (Microsoft Word document).


{{Mythology of Indonesia}} {{Mythology of Indonesia}}
{{Mythology of Malaysia}} {{Mythology of Malaysia}}


]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pontianak (Folklore)}}
]
]
]
]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 07:47, 27 October 2024

Mythological creature Not to be confused with Pontianak. For the films, see Kuntilanak (2006 film) and Kuntilanak (2018 film).
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The Kuntilanak (Indonesian name), also called Pontianak (Malay name), or Yakshi (in Hinduism/ Hindu mythology) is a mythological creature in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. It is similar to Langsuir in other Southeast Asia regions. The Kuntilanak usually takes the form of a pregnant woman who died during childbirth. Alternatively, it is often described as a vengeful female spirit. Another form of the Kuntilanak refers to the ghost or white lady of Southeast Asian folklore.

The Kuntilanak is often depicted as a long-haired woman dressed in white. She lures in unsuspecting men to incite fear and enact revenge. Signs that a Kuntilanak is nearby include the sound of an infant crying and the smell of a decaying corpse or the plumeria flower.

Etymology

Kuntilanak or Pontianak is often described as an astral female spirit; another version of this figure is a woman spirit with long sharp fangs and fingernails. It is similar to the spirit of a woman unable to give birth while her stillborn child was inside her womb. This figure is mainly known to reside in the Kalimantan region containing the city of Pontianak.

The Pontianak can disguise herself using the appearance of a beautiful woman to lure her prey. In Malaysia, lore depicts them as "vampiric" blood-suckers that dissect through the internal organs of men.

The Pontianak is derived from myths and folktales, some of which are particularly popular in Kalimantan (Borneo). Being one of the most famous pieces of Indonesian folklore, it inspired the name of a capital city in the Western Kalimantan region, called Pontianak. The legend of the city of Pontianak holds that the city began as an old trading station, infested with ghosts until Syarif Abdurrahman Alkadrie and his army drove them away with cannon fire. He then constructed a mosque and a palace on the site. These buildings became the city and the seat of the Pontianak Sultanate. Holiday celebrations often include firing bamboo cannons to pay tribute to the Sultan.

Physical appearance and behavior

This article possibly contains original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. (May 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

The Kuntilanak (Pontianak) is often depicted as a beautiful woman with pale skin, red eyes, and long black hair. She is often dressed in a blood-smeared white dress. The Kuntilanak is also described as changing into a more monstrous form when she captures her prey which is typically men or helpless people. Because she is bloodthirsty and has a carnivorous nature, a Pontianak can also appear as a beast or a ghost, resembling the Dracula vampire.

Pontianak only appears under the full moon and typically announces her presence with the cries of infants or feminine laughter. It is said that if the sounds are quiet, she is nearby, but if they are loud, she is far away. Some sources also state that a dog howling at night indicates that a Pontianak is present, but not too close; if the dog whines, then a Pontianak is near. Its presence is also said to be heralded by a floral fragrance, identifiable as that of the Plumeria flower, followed by a stench similar to that of a decaying corpse.

The Pontianak kills her victims by using her long fingernails to physically remove their internal organs to be eaten. In cases where the Pontianak desires revenge and retribution against a man, it is said to eviscerate the victim with its hands. If a victim has their eyes open when a Pontianak is near, she will suck them out of their head. The Pontianak is said to locate her prey by the scent of their clean laundry; because of this, some Malaysians refuse to leave any piece of clothing outside their house overnight.

The Pontianak is associated with banana trees, and her spirit is said to reside in them during the day. According to folklore, a Pontianak can be fought off by driving a nail into the hole on the nape of her neck, which causes her to turn into a beautiful woman and a good wife until the nail is removed.

The Indonesian Kuntilanak is similar to the Pontianak in Malaysia, but commonly takes the form of a bird and sucks the blood of virgins and young women. The bird, which makes a "Ke-ke-ke" sound as it flies, may be sent through black magic to make a woman fall ill; the characteristic symptom being vaginal bleeding. When a man approaches her in her female form, the Kuntilanak suddenly turns and reveals that her back is hollow, much like the Sundel bolong the prostitute ghost with her large gaping hole on her back. A Kuntilanak can be subdued by plunging a sharp nail into the top of her head.

In popular culture

The Kuntilanak has been portrayed in Indonesian and Malaysian horror films and on Indonesian and Malaysian television.

  • Malaysian films:
    • Pontianak (1957)
    • Dendam Pontianak (1957)
    • Sumpah Pontianak (1958)
    • Anak Pontianak, also known as The Pontianak Child (1958)
    • The Return of Pontianak (1963)
    • Pontianak Musang Cave (1964)
    • Pontianak (1975)
    • Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam (2004)
    • Perempuan, Pontianak dan Dot Dot Dot (2004)
    • Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam 2 (2005)
    • The Scream of Pontianak (2005)
    • Anak Pontianak TV Series (2007)
    • Ponti Anak Remaja (2009)
    • Ponti Anak Remaja Mini Series (2010)
    • Help! My Girlfriend Is A Pontianak (2011)
    • Pontianak vs Oily Man (2012)
    • The Nail of Pontianak (2013)
    • Misteri Bisikan Pontianak (2013)
    • Pontianak Sesat Dalam Kampung Telemovie (2016)
    • Dendam Pontianak (2019)
    • Ex Aku Pontianak, also known as My Ex Is A Pontianak (2022)
    • Pulau (2023)
  • Indonesian films:
  • Indonesian Video Games:
    • DreadOut (2014)
    • Pamali: Indonesian Folklore Horror (2018)
  • Singaporean films:
  • Hong Kong films:
    • The Demon's Baby (1998)
  • Malaysian fiction:
    • The House of Aunts (2011) by Zen Cho
  • Singaporean fiction:
  • American fiction:
  • Internet Subculture:
    • The VTuber Mika Melatika of Nijisanji ID is described in her character lore as a kuntilanak.

See also

References

  1. Duile, Timo (2020). "Kuntilanak: Ghost Narratives and Malay Modernity in Pontianak, Indonesia". Bijdragen tot de Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde. 176 (2/3): 279–303. doi:10.1163/22134379-17601001. ISSN 0006-2294. JSTOR 26916440.
  2. Amrizan Madian; Matahari Tegak Dua Kali Setahun di Kota Khatulistiwa; Situs Berita Nasional Malaysia (in Indonesian)
  3. Suara kuntilanak ketawa / Jurig Jurig, 17 August 2018, retrieved 2023-04-09
  4. Pontianak (1975) =https://m.imdb.com/title/tt3305344/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2
  5. Misteri Bisikan Pontianak (2013)=https://m.imdb.com/title/tt3145626/?ref_=fn_al_tt_17
  6. Nuala, Nayato Fio (2009-02-12), Kuntilanak Beranak (Horror), Garneta Haruni, Monique Henry, Dion Wiyoko, Vikri Rahmat, Mitra Pictures, retrieved 2021-03-02
  7. Purwono, Findo (2009-07-23), Paku Kuntilanak (Horror), Dewi Perssik, Heather Storm, Keith Foo, Kiwil, Maxima Pictures, retrieved 2021-03-02
  8. Santet Kuntilanak (2012) - IMDb, 8 March 2012, retrieved 2021-03-02
  9. "pamali - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
  10. "Revenge of the Pontianak". IMDb. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  11. "The House of Aunts". 2011-12-01. Retrieved 2015-04-13.

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