Tikbalang

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Philippine Mythology

Title:

Tikbalang

Description:

Filipino mythical monster

Gender:

Male/Female

Region:

Visayas

Equivalent:

Half-human, half-horse monster

The tikbalang is a monster in Philippine Mythology commonly described as a tall, bony, humanoid creature with disproportionately long limbs, such that its knees tower over its head when it squats down. It has the head and sometimes the feet of an animal, most commonly a horse. It has been compared to the half-man, half-horse centaur from Greek mythology.

1 Habitat and behavior
- 1.1 Countermeasures
2 Superstitions
3 Popular culture
4 See also
5 References
6 External links
7 Citation

[edit] Habitat and behavior

Like the kapre, the tikbalang is said to reside in big trees like the balete, and can be seen smoking tobacco near or on top of the tree. Tikbalang also dwell in swamps or in the deep woods.

Tikbalang are said to scare travelers and lead them astray. They play tricks that lead the unwary traveler to keep on returning to an arbitrary path regardless of how far he goes or where he turns.

A tikbalang can also take on human form. When targeting a person, it mimics the appearance, voice and mannerisms of someone close to the person, such as a friend or relative. Thus the victim is tricked into follow the tikbalang to nowhere until they are lost, sometimes never to be seen again.

[edit] Countermeasures

A traveller who finds himself lost and suspects that a tikbalang is leading him astray may counteract it by wearing his shirt inside out. Another countermeasure is to verbally ask permission to pass by ("tabi-tabi po"), or to avoid making too much noise while in the woods so as not to offend or disturb the tikbalang.

Folklore says that one can tame a tikbalang and compel it to be one's servant by plucking three golden hairs from its mane. There are also stories where a tikbalang asks its intended prey a bugtong (riddle). Someone who manages to answer correctly will be rewarded with a pot of gold.

[edit] Superstitions

Where there is a sudden outpour of rain while the sun is still shining, a folk saying goes: "may kinakasal na tikbalang" ("a tikbalang is getting married").

A tikbalang takes a bath only during the full moon.

Some say that the tikbalangs were once beautiful women grown very old.

Tikbalang may fall in love with mortals.

[edit] Popular culture

The tikbalang was also featured as Pedro Penduko's nemesis in ABS-CBN's telefantasya show played by Bobby Andrews in 2006.

A tikbalang named Lusyo featured in The Mythology Class, a graphic novel written and illustrated by Filipino comic creator Arnold Arre.

The Filipino alternative rock band, Tame the Tikbalang, is an obvious reference to this creature.

X-Men and Wet Works illustrator Whilce Portacio has created a comic book series called Stone: The Awakening, which features Filipino legendary creatures, including the tikbalang.

In the computer game World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, Griftah, a Troll Vendor in Shattrath City's Lower City district in Outland, sells an "Infallible Tikbalang Ward": a novelty necklace with the inscription, "With this trusty warding talisman, no tikbalang will ever find you and steal you away from the treetops. It really works!" While this is a silly easter egg, it is a scam and the item does nothing.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

Demetrio, Francisco, S.J. Encyclopedia of Philippine Folk Beliefs and Customs. Cagayan de Oro City: Xavier University, 1991.
"Mythical Creatures of the Philippines." Associated Content, 10 March 2006. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/21178/mythical_creatures_of_the_philippines.html (Accessed on September 14, 2007).