Kuntilanak - The Revenge of The Beauty

One of the most popular ghost story, folklore, and mythology in Indonesia is Kuntilanak. Until today, Kuntilanak is the most scariest ghost because it can kills her victim (usually men) brutally. In the past, people believe Kuntilanak only appeared in Thursday Night (Malam Jumat) and her power became more powerful if that night is mark as "Kliwon" night (based on the Javanese' calender). At that night, people prefer stayed at home and have no dare to go out after sunset. But in the present, people believe Kuntilanak is appearing every night and only haunted men who cheated their lovers or rapers.

There are several legend about the appearance of Kuntilanak. The popular legend about Kuntilanak is that she was a pregnant woman whose been raped by some guys and left in the jungle. The woman died after that and became undead, seeking revenge for the people who rape her.

Another legend tells that women who died during childbirth will became the undead Kuntilanak and living among people she loves to protect them. If somebody try to disturb her family, it will appeared and kill them brutally. Kuntilanak itself means "perempuan yang bati beranak" (she who has died in childbirth).

Kuntilanak usually disguises itself as a beautiful young woman and usually attract its victims. Its presence usually can be detected by "kembang kamboja" (Plumeria, a nice floral fragnance), followed by an awful stench afterward. Sometimes it laugh with scarcely and loud sound before appear in front of its victim. Another way to detect its present is listening to the barking of dogs. Dogs that barked with no reason or whining, usually indicated that Kuntilanak is close. But if they howling, it means Kuntilanak is far away.  

In its true appearance, Kuntilanak usually described as a beautiful woman in pale face and long black hair, wore a long white dress. Kuntilanak did not walk but mostly slide. That's why in Indonesia,  if  people met a nice young  lady walk alone at night, it is common if the first thing they look is the feet of the lady. If it is hold still on the ground, it means they met a true human. But if not touch the ground, then it is possible they just met a Kuntilanak.

A Kuntilanak usually kills its victims by digging into their stomachs with its sharp fingernails and devouring their organs. Sometimes she hold the organs and let its victims to watch their own organs till they die.

The legend of Kuntilanak has became very popular. Since 1970 till today, there are more than 100 movies that made based on this folklore. Malaysia has similar versions of this folklore and they called it as Pontianak, Matianak, or Buntianak

Another version of Kuntilanak legend is Sundel Bolong. The story is similar. The different is : Sundel Bolong has a hole at its back (literally in Javanese dialect, Sundel Bolong means "hole at the back").

So one day, when you visit Indonesia and you notice a very beautiful girl, with long hair, wore a very nice dress, and walk alone at night, pay attention to her step and her back. If she was flown and she has a very big bloody hole at her back..... RUN FOR YOUR LIFE.....!!!!