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Penanggalan
A floating head with dangling entrails. By day, she appears as a beautiful woman or midwife. At night, her head detaches and flies with organs trailing behind, seeking pregnant women and newborns to feed upon.
Ancient - Present
Malaysia
5000+ witnesses
The Penanggalan is a vampiric creature from Malay folklore—a detached female head that flies with entrails dangling.
The Legend
According to documented folklore:
The Penanggalan:
- Is a woman’s detached head
- Flies with entrails hanging
- Hunts pregnant women
- Feeds on blood of newborns
- Often a midwife by day
By Night
After dark:
- Head separates from body
- Intestines, stomach trail behind
- Flies seeking prey
- Perches on rooftops
- Hunts newborns and mothers
Protection
Traditional defenses:
- Thorny plants around house
- Mengkuang leaves on windows
- Catch intestines on thorns
- Find her body and fill with glass
- Destroy her while separated