Engkanto
Encyclopedia
Engkanto are environmental spirit
s that have the ability to appear in human form. They are often associated with the spirits of ancestors in the Philippines
. They are also characterized as forest spirits or elves. Belief in their existence has likely existed for centuries and continues to this day.
. They are also known to be taller than human beings. Other variants exhibit sexual dimorphism
such as Bagobo spirits which are separated into the female tahamaling and the male mahomanay. The female spirit is alleged to have red complexion while the male have a fair complexion. Their dwellings will normally appear as natural features, for example large rocks or trees, although to humans they have befriended they can appear as magnificent palaces. These creatures prefer large trees such as the balete
in which they also place their belongings.
s and skin diseases such as boil
s. These spirits also sometimes lead travelers astray in the forest or even kidnap them. However if they do favour someone they are generous and capable of bringing power and riches to that person. Shaman
often try to commune with Engkanto on holy days to obtain better healing powers from them as well as learning how to better deal with evil spirits.
and Mindanao
relating to Engkanto. He contended the Engkanto were based on early European friars.
Spirit
The English word spirit has many differing meanings and connotations, most of them relating to a non-corporeal substance contrasted with the material body.The spirit of a living thing usually refers to or explains its consciousness.The notions of a person's "spirit" and "soul" often also overlap,...
s that have the ability to appear in human form. They are often associated with the spirits of ancestors in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. They are also characterized as forest spirits or elves. Belief in their existence has likely existed for centuries and continues to this day.
Appearance
Engkanto have many similarities to humans in that they age, appear to have male and female sexes, can suffer from illness and indeed even die. They are an object mythology for many Filipinos they normally appear to be beautiful having blue eyes, fair complexion and golden hair. They may however have unusual features such as high-bridged noses, fair skin, blond hair and lack of philtrumPhiltrum
The philtrum , is a medial cleft common to many mammals, extending from the nose to the upper lip, and, together with a glandular rhinarium and slit-like nostrils, is believed to constitute the primitive condition for mammals in general...
. They are also known to be taller than human beings. Other variants exhibit sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism is a phenotypic difference between males and females of the same species. Examples of such differences include differences in morphology, ornamentation, and behavior.-Examples:-Ornamentation / coloration:...
such as Bagobo spirits which are separated into the female tahamaling and the male mahomanay. The female spirit is alleged to have red complexion while the male have a fair complexion. Their dwellings will normally appear as natural features, for example large rocks or trees, although to humans they have befriended they can appear as magnificent palaces. These creatures prefer large trees such as the balete
Banyan
A banyan is a fig that starts its life as an epiphyte when its seeds germinate in the cracks and crevices on a host tree...
in which they also place their belongings.
Capabilities
Engkanto are most commonly known for their malignant effects, those the Engkanto favour have become depressed, suffered from madness or even disappeared for days or months, possibly as a result of the human being possessed. They are also said to be capable of causing feverFever
Fever is a common medical sign characterized by an elevation of temperature above the normal range of due to an increase in the body temperature regulatory set-point. This increase in set-point triggers increased muscle tone and shivering.As a person's temperature increases, there is, in...
s and skin diseases such as boil
Boil
A boil, also called a furuncle, is a deep folliculitis, infection of the hair follicle. It is always caused by infection by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, resulting in a painful swollen area on the skin caused by an accumulation of pus and dead tissue...
s. These spirits also sometimes lead travelers astray in the forest or even kidnap them. However if they do favour someone they are generous and capable of bringing power and riches to that person. Shaman
Shamanism
Shamanism is an anthropological term referencing a range of beliefs and practices regarding communication with the spiritual world. To quote Eliade: "A first definition of this complex phenomenon, and perhaps the least hazardous, will be: shamanism = technique of ecstasy." Shamanism encompasses the...
often try to commune with Engkanto on holy days to obtain better healing powers from them as well as learning how to better deal with evil spirits.
Study
Francisco Demetrio made a study of 87 folk stories from VisayasVisayas
The Visayas or Visayan Islands and locally known as Kabisay-an gid, is one of the three principal geographical divisions of the Philippines, along with Mindanao and Luzon. It consists of several islands, primarily surrounding the Visayan Sea, although the Visayas are considered the northeast...
and Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
relating to Engkanto. He contended the Engkanto were based on early European friars.