YOGYAKARTA - Minangkabau is a ethnic group that inhabits the western region of Sumatra Island or West Sumatra Province, Indonesia. This tribe is known for its unique richness of culture, traditions, and social systems. Several unique and interesting things from the Minangkabau tribe include art and culture, cultural values, systems of descent, culinary, to ghosts according to the beliefs of the Minangkabau community.
One of the things or issues in the Minangkabau community that attracts a lot of attention is supernatural beings or ghosts who are typical of being in West Sumatra. Just like in other cultures, supernatural beings or ghosts in Minangkabau are identical to supernatural entities that are conventionally believed to exist and exist around society.
The ghost found in Minangkabau is not only a scary entity, but also an incarnation with energy and tasks that are believed to bring goodness.
As quoted by VOI from the book Encyclopedia Hantu Nusantara, several ghosts that are trusted by the Minangkabau community are as follows:
Inyiak is a term for the figure of the Sumatran Tiger in Minangkabau mythology and is very popular today. For the Minangkabau people, the Sumatran tiger is not just a wild animal, but is given the term inyiak because the tiger is considered an incarnation of the ancestors of the Minangkabau people. Singiak is described as a mythary entity that is in the form of half-human and half-tiger.
Along with the various beliefs that grew in the Minangkabau community, tigers became respected and considered special animals. Inyiak is also considered a protective figure, similar to the role of grandfather or father in the family who protects other family members, as well as as a forest guard and protector for Minangkabau people. As a guard figure, according to inyiak's belief, he is also able to provide a sign of danger to humans. For example, by throwing yellow soil as a sign of danger when someone is on a trip in the forest.
However, there is also another view that Isyiak is a human being who has the magic that allows it to transform into a tiger.
In the people of West Sumatra, there is one figure of a subtle creature that captivates attention with his scary appearance and mysterious presence. Simpa is described as a tall, large, black figure with red, burning eyes like a fire coal. It is said that Siampa is often seen roaming between the appearance of tall trees or standing in abandoned old buildings.
Siampa is said to like to approach people while sleeping, infiltrating their dream life with creepy dreams as sleeping ghosts that place themselves on the human chest or even tightly strangling the neck and creating a gripping sensation. Therefore, the local community believes in the phenomenon of sleeping on top or sleeping on paralysis as the work of Simpada.
Aia's ghost is also known as 'Hantu Air' which is said to have originated from the spirit of a person who died from drowning. Aia's ghost is believed to live around the river and can sometimes appear to attract people who are not careful until drowning. The figure of Aia's ghost can also disturb a group of people who are looking for fish at night. Therefore, many people are careful and avoid river areas that are considered angker.
According to Minangkabau's belief, Sibigau is a figure who has running speed. People see that he has hair like a monkey but his face looks similar to humans.
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The ghost of Suluah or the ghost of Cokok is a subtle creature that looks like a fireball because it resembles sparks that float in the air. The appearance of this Suluh ghost is closely related to the time of maghrib worship, which is after dusk until the evening. It is said that the figure of this creature creates a tense aura because according to the community it is a manifestation of a strong witchcraft sent by bad shamans to other people.
This is a review of ghosts according to the trust of the Minangkabau community. Visit VOI.id to get other interesting information.
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