In Indonesian mythology, a sundel bolong, is a mythical
ghost
In folklore, a ghost is the soul or Spirit (supernatural entity), spirit of a dead Human, person or non-human animal that is believed by some people to be able to appear to the living. In ghostlore, descriptions of ghosts vary widely, from a ...
from the archipelago which is a woman with beautiful long black hair and a long white dress (her form is similar to
Pontianak). The myth is closely linked to
prostitute
Prostitution is a type of sex work that involves engaging in sexual activity in exchange for payment. The definition of "sexual activity" varies, and is often defined as an activity requiring physical contact (e.g., sexual intercourse, non-pe ...
s, meaning a "prostitute with a hole in her", in reference to the large hole which is said to appear in her back.
Etymology
The name "sundel bolong" derives from the physical appearance of the ghost. The word "sundel" which means "
prostitute
Prostitution is a type of sex work that involves engaging in sexual activity in exchange for payment. The definition of "sexual activity" varies, and is often defined as an activity requiring physical contact (e.g., sexual intercourse, non-pe ...
" or "
whore" and "bolong" in
Javanese which literally means "hole". Modern folklore studies believe that the myth was developed in Javan culture to deter prostitution that developed during the
Dutch East Indies
The Dutch East Indies, also known as the Netherlands East Indies (; ), was a Dutch Empire, Dutch colony with territory mostly comprising the modern state of Indonesia, which Proclamation of Indonesian Independence, declared independence on 17 Au ...
colonization.
Mythology
In folklore, a sundel bolong, more commonly referred to as a prostitute ghost is the soul of a woman who died when she was pregnant outside of marriage and therefore gave birth in her grave, or who died during childbirth and the baby came out from her back (this is the reason why the hole was created in her back)
which is concealed from men by her long black hair.
The victims of sundel bolong consist mainly of men and children. As a vengeful spirit, if rejected by a man, she is said to castrate him.
Children, especially newborns are said to be taken to replace her lost child.
''Sundel Bolong'' has appeared in a number of movies. In 1981, an adult horror film, ''
Sundelbolong'' was released, directed by
Sisworo Gautama Putra and in 2007, ''
Legenda Sundel Bolong'' was released, as well as a remake version, ''
Suzzanna: Bernapas dalam Kubur'' which was released in 2018.
Legenda Sundel Bolong
/ref>
Popular culture
* In '' Marvel Anime: Blade'', the sundel bolong are depicted as an Asian vampire sub-species.
*In the horror game '' DreadOut'' developed by Digital Happiness, sundel bolong is featured as one of the ghosts.
See also
* Bloody Mary (folklore)
* Keres (Κῆρες), spirits of violent or cruel death in Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths originally told by the Ancient Greece, ancient Greeks, and a genre of ancient Greek folklore, today absorbed alongside Roman mythology into the broader designation of classical mythology. These stories conc ...
* Madam Moke
*Onryō
In Japanese traditional beliefs and literature, are a type of ghost () believed to be capable of causing harm in the world of the living, injuring or killing enemies, or even causing natural disasters to exact Revenge, vengeance to "redres ...
* Tai Thong Klom
*White Lady
A White Lady (or woman in white) is a type of female ghost. She is typically dressed in a white dress or similar garment, reportedly seen in rural areas and associated with local legends of tragedy. White Lady legends are found in many count ...
References
External links
Review: Kafan Sundel Bolong
{{Mythology of Indonesia
Female ghosts
Javanese mythology
Indonesian ghosts