Types of Malay Ghosts

There are many kinds of beliefs in this world about the types of ghosts. One of the more popular types of ghosts in our local culture are the Malay ghosts. Of course, there are also the Chinese ghosts, English ghosts and even Indian ghosts depending on your religion, race and beliefs. For example, a vampire is an English ghost version whereas Malays simply knows them as “pontianak” and Chinese as “Kiong Xi”.

Malays believe that ghosts are usually only active at night especially during the full moon where it is belief to be the most powerful time for the underworld. Of course, be it fact or just simply another Malaysian Urban Legend, we’ll never know. Below are a lists of the types of Malay Ghosts.
Caution: This post is not for those with weak heart or you will die of SHOCKED! AND PLEASE CONSULT YOUR MEDICAL OFFICER BEFORE PROCEEDING.

Pontianak – also known as the vampire where it is belief that they are usually ladies dressed in white seeking for revenge. The pontianak is said to be the spirit of a woman died of childbirth. Most of the time, they can look very beautiful but if you look closely, she would have razor sharp teeth. They usually comes out after the sun sets searching for men or pregnant women (apparently, it is said that she could not bear the thought of other women being able to enjoy motherhood) to suck blood. Sometimes, they even eat the flesh of babies ripped out from their mother’s womb.  

Toyol – these are actually ghostly kids that people adopt for the objective of stealing other people’s money. It is believed that this spirit is kept and preserved in a jar in a form of a foetus. Because the toyol is kept by people to do bidding, you have to feed it with blood everyday.

Polong – unsen ghost that can be used by black magic practitioners (bomoh) to harm someone

Pelesit – a ghost in the form of grasshopper used by bomohs to possess someone

Hantu Air – water ghost found usually in rivers, lakes and swimming pools. They are usually the victim of drowning

Kum Kum – an old witch who attacks young virgins to restore her youth and beauty

Hantu Raya – ghosts that acts as a double for the bomoh

  

Hantu Tetek – translates as Ghost Breast. This ghost is a female with huge breasts which is said to use it to suffocate her victims

Bunian – good ghost or jinns (genie) that is usually found in the jungle. Loves to help humans in trouble or in need.

Hantu Bungkus (Pocong) – ghost jumping around wrapped in white shroud

Hantu Bukit – ghosts that haunt the hilly areas.

Hantu Jepun – translates as Japanese ghost. Believed to appear wearing WW2 army attire carrying samurai swords. Usually found marching or if you are lucky, you can only hear the footsteps of marching. They are mostly headless

Hantu Pari Pari – fairy ghosts

Hantu Kubur – just like its direct translation of ghost cemetary. These ghosts are usually found haunting cemetaries

Orang Minyak – also known as “oily man”. They are usually seen all covered in black oil and is said love to rape virgins

Hantu Penanggalan (Hantu Tengelong) – Usually women studying black magic that has the ability to split its body from its head and fly around with its guts hanging around. It is said that its love to suck the blood of women during childbirth