Engkanto are environmental spirits that can take the form of humans. They are usually linked with spirits of ancestors in the Philippines and distinguished as forest spririts or elves.
Appearance
Just like humans, the engkantos also grow old, have male and female gender, may suffer from illness and die eventually. Many Filipinos believed that the engkantos have blue eyes, fair complexion and golden hair. Aside from these traits, they have prominent features like high-bridge noses, lack of philtrum and appear taller. The female Bagobo spirits have red complexion while the male have fair complexion. The dwelling place of the engkanto may look like a large rocks or trees but to their human friends, their house can appear as beautiful palaces. They also like to live in large trees like the balete where they can also put their belongings.
Capabilities
Engkanto are popular for their malignant effects because the humans that they possessed became depressed, mad or disappeared for a number of days. They can also bring about fevers and skin diseases like boils. In some cases, travellers may be lead astray by the Engkanto spirits or even kidnapped. However, when the spirits like someone, they can bring power and wealth to that person. During holy days, the shaman commune with the Engkanto to gain better healing powers.
Study
Francisco Demetrio conducted a study of of 87 folk stories from Visayas and Mindanao that are related to Engkanto and he contended that the Engkanto were based on early European friars.
References
- Silliman University, James W. Chapman Research Foundation (1977). Silliman Journal. Silliman Journal (Silliman University): 354. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
- Aguilar, Filomeno V. (1998). Clash of Spirits. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 0-8248-2082-7.
- Demetrio, Francisco (1969). "The Engkanto Belief: An Essay in Interpretation". Asian Folklore Studies 28 (1)