Pelesit: The Enigmatic Grasshopper Familiar in Malay Folklore
Pelesit is a fascinating supernatural entity in Malay folklore, often associated with black magic, sorcery, and spirit possession. This mysterious being is believed to be a spirit-familiar, typically in the form of a grasshopper, that serves its master in performing dark deeds. Feared across Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia, the pelesit is said to bring misfortune, sickness, and madness to its victims.
What is a Pelesit?
A pelesit is a supernatural entity or familiar spirit believed to be created and controlled by a bomoh (Malay shaman or witch doctor). It is commonly described as taking the form of a small grasshopper or cricket, but it is not an ordinary insect—it has supernatural abilities and can be sent to attack people. The primary purpose of the pelesit is to serve its master by harming enemies, spreading disease, confusion, and possession among unsuspecting victims.
This spirit-familiar is often associated with other mystical beings in Malay folklore, such as hantu raya, polong, and pontianak. It is particularly feared because of its ability to enter the human body and cause madness or delirium.
Origin and Folklore
The legend of the pelesit is deeply rooted in Malay animistic and shamanistic traditions. Before the spread of Islam and Christianity in the region, many indigenous beliefs revolved around spirits, nature, and mystical forces. This spirit-familiar was considered a servant of the bomoh, acting as an instrument of black magic.
In traditional stories, a bomoh would create a pelesit through a ritualistic process that involved powerful incantations, offerings, and the binding of a spirit into a grasshopper. The newly created pelesit would then be fed with the blood of its master to ensure loyalty and obedience.
It was widely believed that anyone who possessed this spirit-familiar gained supernatural abilities, but it came at a price—it needed to be regularly fed blood (usually from its master), or it would become uncontrollable and start attacking indiscriminately.
Characteristics and Appearance
Physical Form
- The pelesit is commonly described as a small, black grasshopper or cricket.
- Some accounts say that if you look closely, you might notice tiny inscriptions or markings on its body, which are said to be sacred spells or magical symbols used by the bomoh to control it.
Behavior and Abilities
- The pelesit is sent to harm someone by whispering in their ear, causing confusion, illness, or even madness.
- It can cause hallucinations and delirium, making the victim see strange visions or hear voices.
- The pelesit is believed to work together with another supernatural entity called the polong, a type of spirit that can possess people and make them act irrationally.
- If a pelesit is not properly controlled, it may turn against its master, creating a curse that is passed down through generations.
How Does a Pelesit Attack?
The attack of a pelesit is often subtle and difficult to detect. Victims of a pelesit attack may experience:
- Unexplained sickness (fever, dizziness, nausea)
- Hearing whispers or strange voices in their heads
- Sudden personality changes or aggressive behavior
- Hallucinations and nightmares
- A feeling of being watched or followed
In some cases, individuals believed to be attacked by this spirit-familiar would exhibit fits of screaming and laughing, unable to recognize their surroundings.
Protection Against Pelesit
Because this feared spirit is deeply rooted in Malay communities, various protective measures and rituals have been developed to ward off its attacks:
Spiritual Protection
- Religious prayers: Islamic exorcisms, known as ruqyah, are commonly used to expel the pelesit from the body.
- Carrying protective talismans: Objects inscribed with Quranic verses or traditional spells are believed to repel the pelesit.
Traditional Methods
- Chewing betel leaves: Some believe that chewing betel leaves can neutralize the effects of a pelesit attack.
- Burning incense: Certain types of herbal incense are used to drive away evil spirits.
- Using lime and salt: These ingredients are believed to have cleansing properties that can remove negative spiritual influences.
Destroying the Pelesit
- A pelesit can supposedly be captured by trapping it in a bottle or burning the grasshopper form to break its magical connection to the bomoh.
- Some stories claim that to fully destroy this supernatural entity, one must find its hidden burial place—a secret location where the bomoh buried the bones or remnants of the spirit that inhabits it.
The Pelesit in Modern Culture
Despite being an ancient folkloric entity, the pelesit remains a popular topic in Southeast Asian horror stories, movies, and urban legends. Many people, especially in rural areas of Malaysia, still believe in the existence of this supernatural entity and its ability to cause harm.
Modern horror films and books have reimagined this supernatural entity, making it a terrifying creature of the night that stalks its victims before whispering dark secrets into their ears. Some paranormal researchers have even attempted to document alleged encounters, further adding to the mystery surrounding this mystical being.
Conclusion
Among the most enigmatic and hated supernatural entities in Malay mythology are the pelesit. Believed to be a spirit-familiar produced by dark magic, it is supposed to bring illness, uncertainty, and horror to all who come within its path. This supernatural entity remains one of the most recognizable figures in Southeast Asian mythology, as its terrifying ability to whisper in the ears of its victims induces delusions and madness.