Jembalang

demon · Malaysia · Southeast Asia

Jembalang are earth spirits of Malay folklore, wild and unsociable beings said to haunt hills, forests, and the soil beneath the fields. A jembalang tanah (earth jembalang) can stir landslides and epidemics, and villagers placate it with offerings and shamanic rites; respecting its territory protects a community from its wrath.

Open in the interactive archive →