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Pontianak

A beautiful woman in white appears at night—the ghost of a woman who died in childbirth. Her sweet perfume turns to rotting flesh as she approaches. She tears out organs with her claws. Southeast Asia's most feared spirit.

Ancient - Present
Malaysia & Indonesia
50000+ witnesses

The Pontianak is one of Southeast Asia’s most feared supernatural entities—the vengeful spirit of a woman who died during pregnancy or childbirth. Belief in the Pontianak remains strong in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.

The Legend

According to documented folklore:

The Pontianak is:

  • The ghost of a woman who died during childbirth
  • Or died while pregnant
  • She appears as a beautiful woman in white
  • Has long black hair
  • Preys on men and pregnant women
  • Can fly
  • Known for a terrifying shriek

The Signs

You know a Pontianak is near when:

  • You smell a sweet floral fragrance (that becomes rotting flesh)
  • You hear a baby crying
  • A dog howls
  • You hear her distinctive cackling laugh
  • The cry gets LOUDER as she’s far, SOFTER as she approaches

The Attack

When she attacks:

  • She appears as a beautiful woman
  • She seduces male victims
  • She then reveals her true form
  • She tears out organs with her claws
  • Pregnant women have their unborn children ripped out
  • She devours internal organs

Protection

Traditional protection includes:

  • Driving a nail into the back of her neck (makes her a good wife)
  • Iron objects
  • Not looking at her
  • Not responding to her cries
  • Islamic prayers and verses

Cultural Context

The Pontianak represents:

  • Fear of death in childbirth (historically common)
  • The vulnerability of pregnancy
  • Male anxiety about female sexuality
  • Death during a liminal (transitional) state

Modern Belief

The Pontianak remains relevant:

  • Regular “sighting” reports in Malaysia and Indonesia
  • Horror films feature her prominently
  • Schools have reported mass hysteria related to her
  • Traditional precautions are still taken

Pontianak City

The city of Pontianak in Indonesia:

  • Was named after the creature
  • According to legend, the sultan encountered one when founding the city
  • He fired cannons to drive it away
  • The city embraces its namesake

Similar spirits in the region:

  • Langsuir: Malaysian vampire, also a dead pregnant woman
  • Kuntilanak: Indonesian variant of Pontianak
  • Matianak: Spirit of stillborn babies
  • Sundel Bolong: Indonesian prostitute ghost

Mass Hysteria Events

Modern incidents include:

  • School closures due to “sightings”
  • Workers refusing to work at haunted sites
  • Construction projects halted
  • Police investigations into supernatural claims

In Media

The Pontianak appears in:

  • Numerous Malay and Indonesian horror films
  • Television series
  • Video games
  • Literature

Sources

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