The Kumakatok (door knockers) are three hooded figures who knock on doors in the middle of the night.
Appearance
The Kumakatok is a group of three strange hooded figures that look like humans. One resembles a young female and the two resembles old people.
Powers/Weaknesses
The Kumakatok’s visits are feared by many because it is usually believed to be an omen of death. Either the eldest child or the ill member of the house they knocked upon will die. Visits usually occurred after an outbreak of a disease. To ward off the kumakatok, residences of Luzon and Visayas painted white crosses on their doors. As a result, the kumakatok moved to buildings, hospitals and churches.
The kumakatok disappeared or visited humans less frequently after the World War II because a lot of buildings were destroyed.
References
- Paraiso, Salvador; Jose Juan Paraiso (2003). The Balete Book: A collection of demons, monsters and dwarfs from the Philippine lower mythology. Philippines: Giraffe Books. ISBN 971-8832-79-3.