Toyol

spirit · Singapore · Southeast Asia

Toyol is a spirit from Singapore mythology. It is created by a bomoh (shaman) through black magic, typically from the corpse of a stillborn or aborted fetus, animated to serve its master as a thief. Despite its criminal function, the Toyol is childlike and mischievous rather than evil. It must be given toys, sweets, and attention, or it may turn against its master. The 1969 Singapore film 'Mat Toyol' brought the creature into popular culture In Singapore folklore, this figure is known among the Singapore (Multi-ethnic) people.

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