| Engkanto | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Gender | Male/female |
| Region | Philippines |
Engkanto (from Spanish encanto, lit. 'enchantment') are mythical environmental spirits that are said to 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 spirit sorts like sirens, dark beings, elves, and more. Belief in their existence has likely existed for centuries, and continues to this day.
It is a bracket term for enchanted human-like beings of the land which includes a variety of mythical races. The term itself was adopted from the Spanish, who were dumbfounded by the wide array of mythical races in the Philippines and just referred to many of the races as "enchanted". Though at the same time the term does not differ at all from the archaic Spanish sense of the word as referring to a supernatural apparition, sometimes tied to a place.
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 of mythology for many Filipinos, often told by adults as stories and shown on media. They have different appearances. Some appear to be beautiful having blue eyes, fair complexion and golden hair. They may however have unusual features such as high-bridged noses and lack of philtrum. They have a wide range of appearances but one common fact of a different feeling or vibe than humans. 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, or shadows in human form; although to humans they have befriended they can appear as magnificent palaces. These creatures prefer large trees and nature such as the balete in which they also place their belongings. An engkanto may choose to stay by a human's side as told by stories where characters are usually in either a sense of trance or a deep loss of energy. Engkanto may be good or bad.
Capabilities
Engkanto are most commonly known for either extreme malignant effects, or an overwhelming influence of luck. Those the Engkanto do not favor had become depressed, suffered from madness, or even disappeared for days or months, possibly as a result of the human possession. They are also said to be capable of causing fevers and skin diseases such as boils. These spirits also sometimes lead travelers astray in the forest, even kidnap them. This, however, is said to be avoidable by bringing an "Anting-anting" or "Agimat" a piece of magical charm or amulet that wards away evil spirits and prevents them from harming the wielder. However, if they do favor 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.
Study
Francisco Demetrio made a study of 87 folk stories from Visayas and Mindanao relating to Engkanto. He contended the Engkanto were based on early European friars.
In popular culture
The Engkanto has been the subject of Philippine pop culture media, particularly in horror films include:
- Spirit Warriors: The Shortcut (2003)
- T2 (2009)
- The Shake, Rattle & Roll film series: Shake, Rattle and Roll 9 (2007), Shake, Rattle & Roll X (2008), and Shake, Rattle and Roll 12 (2010)
- Panday(2017)
Philippine television drama fantasy Luna Mystika the story heavily revolves around Engkantos
See also
References
- Silliman University, James W. Chapman Research Foundation (1977). "Silliman Journal". Silliman Journal. Silliman University: 354. Retrieved June 21, 2008.
- ^ Aguilar, Filomeno V. (1998). Clash of Spirits. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 0-8248-2082-7.
- ^ Gailyn Van Rheenen, Gailyn Van Rheenan (2006). Contextualization And Syncretism: Navigating Cultural Currents. William Carey Library. ISBN 0-87808-387-1. Retrieved June 21, 2008.
- ^ *Demetrio, Francisco (1969). "The Engkanto Belief: An Essay in Interpretation". Asian Folklore Studies. 28 (1): 77–90. doi:10.2307/1177781. JSTOR 1177781.
- ^ Ramos, Maximo D. (1971). Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Philippines: University of the Philippines Press. pp. 55–56. OCLC 804797. ISBN 971-06-0691-3 (Quezon City Press, 1990)
- *Borchgrevink, Axel (2003). "Ideas of Power in the Philippines". Cultural Dynamics. 15 (1): 41–69. doi:10.1177/0921374003015001108 (inactive November 15, 2024). Retrieved June 19, 2008.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2024 (link) - "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho: Engkanto: Kuwento-kuwento o totoo?". Youtube (in Tagalog). GMA Public Affairs. April 22, 2019. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
- Tremlett, Paul-François (2007). "The Ethics of Suspicion in the Study of Religions". DISKUS. 8. Archived from the original on April 16, 2009. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
- title Spirit Warriors the Shortcut at IMDb
- title T2 at IMDb
- title Shake, Rattle & Roll 9 at IMDb
- title Shake Rattle & Roll X at IMDb
- title Shake Rattle and Roll 12 at IMDb
- ccsediaren (January 6, 2018). "Movie Review: Ang Panday (MMFF 2017)". That's What CSed. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
- https://www.pep.ph/news/local/2910/heart-evangelista-gives-life-to-luna-mystika?s=m3j2jf7gmo7bbptlertmnc9jut.
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