Why is Pontianak called Pontianak?

Why is Pontianak called Pontianak?

The name Pontianak refers to a story about ghosts that people in West Kalimantan refer to as Pontianak (a ferocious female ghost in Malay); it was a ghosts’ haunt until Syarif Abdurrahman Alkadrie and his army fought and expelled the ghosts who attacked them by firing cannons.

Which country is Pontianak?

Indonesia
Pontianak, kota (city) and capital, West Kalimantan propinsi (or provinsi; province), Indonesia. It lies on the island of Borneo, just inland from the west-central coast, on the Kapuas River.

Where did the Pontianak come from?

The Pontianak is derived from myths and folktales, some of which are particularly popular in Kalimantan (Borneo). Being one of the most famous pieces of Indonesian folklore, it inspired the name of a capital city in the Western Kalimantan region, called Pontianak.

How can Pontianak be prevented?

To stop the Pontianak, you need to drive a long nail fully into the hole at the nape of her neck. This is not an easy feat as she possesses supernatural strength. It will take many to hold her down while the nail is driven in. If you are successful, she turns into a beautiful woman and a good wife.

What is Pontianak called in English?

Kuntilanak or Pontianak is often described as an astral female spirit; another version of this figure is a woman spirit with long sharp fingernails. It is similar to the spirit of a woman unable to give birth while her stillborn child was inside her womb.

What is the meaning Pontianak?

a female vampire
pontianak. / (ˌpɒntɪˈɑːnæk) / noun. (in Malay folklore) a female vampire; the ghost of a woman who has died in childbirth.

What happens if you see a Pontianak?

In cases where the Pontianak desires revenge and retribution against a man, it is said to eviscerate the victim with its hands. If a victim has their eyes open when a Pontianak is near, she will suck them out of their head.

How do you beat Pontianak?

In Malaysian lore, it is true they can be killed by decapitation using an iron machete (parang). To avoid the deceased returning as a Pontianak, before burial a quantity of glass beads are put in the mouth of the corpse, a hen’s egg is put under each arm-pit, and needles are placed in the palms of the hands.

What are the signs of Pontianak?

The white lady lures in unsuspecting men to incite fear and enact revenge. Signs that a Pontianak is nearby include the sound of an infant crying and the smell of a decaying corpse or the plumeria flower.

How does Pontianak smell like?

Its presence is also said to be heralded by a floral fragrance, identifiable as that of the Plumeria flower, followed by a stench similar to that of a decaying corpse. The Pontianak kills her victims by using her long fingernails to physically remove their internal organs to be eaten.

What to do if u see a Pontianak?

The Pontianak is associated with banana trees, and her spirit is said to reside in them during the day. According to folklore, a Pontianak can be fought off by driving a nail into the hole on the nape of her neck, which causes her to turn into a beautiful woman and a good wife until the nail is removed.