Rising from their graves, the vampire Amalanhig of the Philippines pursue your flesh and blood. But where did these creatures come from?
On the other side of the Philippine archipelago, amidst the dense jungle and serene villages where the night air seems to vibrate with old secrets, there is a terrifying legend told in hushed tones: the tale of Amalanhig. Part vampire, part restless specter or some kind of zombie-like creature, these undead creatures are feared in Visayan mythology, especially among the Hiligaynon-speaking people of the central Philippines.
Although the shape-shifting creature aswang often attracts attention in Filipino lore, the Amalanhig is a uniquely haunting breed of monster. Neither completely alive nor completely dead, these creatures roam the night in search of the warmth of human blood… or the eerie sound of laughter in the shadowy.
Amalanhig is born
According to myth, the Amalanhigs were once human aswangs, or sinister, flesh-hungry creatures of Filipino legend, known for their bloodlust and shape-shifting abilities. However, unlike their counterparts, these particular aswangs failed to pass on their shadowy powers before death. Deprived of a chance for a peaceful afterlife and denied their monstrous heritage, they rose from their graves – stiff, unyielding and thirsty for human blood.
These undead creatures are said to haunt graveyards, dense forests, and isolated villages, forever cursed, to hunt the living. Their appearance resembles that of ordinary humans, although their upper fangs are often unnaturally long and acute, revealing their true nature.
It is also said that some humans can also turn into these creatures. Most often, these are people who died with unfinished business or are seeking revenge after being murdered.
Death by bite… or tickling
In some versions, they ruthlessly pursue the living, trying to sink their huge fangs into the necks of unsuspecting victims.
But in one particularly strange and eerie variant of the myth, Amalanhig kills its victims not with its fangs, but by tickling. Yes – these immortal creatures are said to chase humans until they catch them and then tickle them to death. A grotesque and terrifying ordeal in which victims die from a mixture of laughter, shortness of breath and sheer terror.
Army of the Undead
Some legends claim that Amalanhig was created by humans. According to one legend, long ago, before the Spanish arrived in the Philippines, a chieftain ordered his priestess to create an army of warriors who could not be killed.
They were created by killing ordinary people using shadowy rituals such as inserting shadowy soot and placing a cursed stone in the mouth. After three days, they came to life, but were mindless, walking corpses that died only after completing their task.
How to escape from Amalanhig
Due to the stiffness of corpses resembling rigor mortis, Amalanhigs can only walk in straight lines. A would-be victim can escape by running in a zigzag pattern, weaving in unpredictable ways to confuse the creature. They can also be chased away because they are unable to bend their knees.
Another time-honored method is to seek shelter in high places such as trees, rooftops, or raised platforms, as Amalanhiga's stiff limbs prevent it from climbing. Deep bodies of water are another safeguard; these undead fear rivers and lakes and do not follow their prey into the depths.
-
Amalanhig: Immortal hunters of Visayan folklore
Rising from their graves, the vampire Amalanhig of the Philippines pursue your flesh and blood. But where did these creatures come from?
-
Doyle's Pub: The Executioner's Shadow in Phibsborough
Said to be haunted by people from the funeral home that once stood next door, Doyle's Pub in Dublin has more than just live customers drinking drinks.
-
Fredriksten Fortress and the White Lady of Halden
The Swedish border town of Norway, Fredriksten Fortress, has seen more bloodshed than many other places. But who is the White Lady who is said to haunt it, gliding around the clock tower at night?
-
The Haunted Shelbourne Hotel and the Ghost of Mary Masters
According to employees and guests, paranormal investigators and even celebrities, the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin is haunted. Legend has it that for centuries this place has been haunted by a newborn cholera victim, Mary Masters.
-
Room 407 and the Gentle Spirit of Fleischer's Hotel
As the first hostess of a hotel in Voss, Norway, the ghost of Magdalena from the historic and majestic Fleischier's Hotel is said to reside in room 407.
-
Teresa Prieto The Witch of Jupiter and the first vampire case in Spain
Teresa Prieto, known as the Witch of Jupiter, has captivated the imagination of many over the centuries as the first recorded case of a vampire in Spain, who reached… Read more: Teresa Prieto The Witch of Jupiter and the first case of a vampire in Spain -
Hotel Utne and the watchful spirit of “Mor Utne”
Mother Utne is said to still be in operation in one of Norway's oldest hotels, in the tranquil Hardangerfjord. After 70 years at the Utne, hotel management says they are still in charge.
-
Brogans Bar: A secret passage to the past
It is said to house both stacks of Guinness, and Brogan's Bar in Dublin is also home to several ghosts. Guests and staff have long been talking about strange things happening in the pub after the last call.
-
The watchful spirits of the Bårdshaug manor
An aged manor house in Bårdshaug, Norway is said to be haunted by mysterious women who sometimes appear in the house, which is now a hotel. Who are these female spirits and what do they want?
-
The stunning Queen Lamia who became the vampire monster of Ghost Stories
The Lamia was a fearsome, blood-sucking monster that acted as a bogeyman in old Greece. Many will say that her story helped shape vampire legends in Europe, but before that she was said to have been the stunning Queen of Libya.
-
Sennentuntschi: The terrifying Swiss legend of the shepherd's doll comes to life
One of the terrible creatures of the Alps is the seemingly innocent Sennentuntschi doll. Being created by male shepherds in the mountains, she must endure their abuse and exploitation until she comes to life and comes for revenge.
-
Bull and Castle Pub: The Melancholy Ghost by James Clarence Mangan
His former childhood home, now the Bull and Castle Pub in Dublin, is said to be haunted by the ghost of melancholy writer James Clarence Mangan.
Amalanhig | Myths and folklore wiki
Image Source: Pixabay.com
