What comes to mind when you hear the word witch? The Wicked Witch of the West, The Craft, Harry Potter. All of these are popular incarnations of witches and what they are supposed to be like. Did you know that the Philippines also has its own tradition of supernatural beings who cast spells and mix potions?
Mangkukulam:
Mangkukulam, also known as bruha or bruho, are similar to witches. Each Mangkukulam has unique abilities that they use to manipulate the personal affairs of other people. A Mangkukulam’s powers are passed down from one generation to another; at least one person in the family will inherit the craft.
Where to find them:
Usually, Mangkukulam prefer to live in secluded areas, such as in the mountains or forests, where they can live undisturbed. Although, it is not common for people to see them, one can easily identify Mangkukulam by their long, dirty fingernails and unkempt appearance. They also tend to be surrounded by animals and insects, such as snakes, cockroaches, and worms.
Mangkukulam Powers:
Mangkukulam create spells and potions to harm their enemies or people who have wronged them. One of the ways they do this is by making a manyika, or doll, in the likeness of their victim, the kinukulam. The Mangkukulam collect hair or personal items, such as clothing, from their victims and put them on the doll. They use needles to prick different parts of the doll, twist and break its limbs, or even burn or boil the doll. The doll acts as a conduit of pain, transferring the actions performed on the doll onto the victim’s body. People who have an unexplained pain or illness worry about the possibility that they have been cursed by a Mangkukulam. Some symptoms include feeling weak or sick despite the use of conventional medicines. Instead, they should seek the help of an albularyo, or herbal doctor, for treatment.
Bribing a Mangkukulam
Due to their supernatural powers, some people seek the help of a Mangkukulam to cast a spell. Many people request love potions to win over an unrequited love or spells to take revenge on their enemies. But working with a Mangkukulam comes with a price. Whoever requests the services of a Mangkukulam must give something in return. Although the source of a Mangkukulam’s powers are unclear, they are believed to be evil. It might not be a good idea to trust a person with such dubious intentions. So, think twice before you decide to ask a Mangkukulam for help!
Share your stories
Have you, your family members or friends ever encountered a Mangkukulam? Or do you know any stories of people who have been cursed by one? If you had the opportunity to request their services, what kind of spell would you ask from a Mangkukulam? Share your thoughts about Mangkukulam with the entire BakitWhy.com community either as a comment to this post or as a Blog.
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By Trix on February 5, 2012 - 3:49am
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By paola on November 1, 2010 - 3:13pm
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Comments
Kulam in Philippines is very alive.. in different provinces. Mangkukulam or witches are agents of satan on Earth. They are harming innocent and defenseless people.. I am a victim of kulam twice because of simple enviousness.. a common trait among Filipinos be educated or not... now the trend is everyone is wanting to learn the black magic. The problem here is who will give justice to the kulam victims?
In the old times, witches or mangkukulam are burn to death.. because all they are harming people and nobody is getting back at them! Prayers are no use... so the innocent becomes helpless.
This type of people should be put to death without any mercy.. they are the dirt of our society... they are deadlier than criminals.. they harm everyone they like to harmed...
The problem now is that this people feel they are invincible & some feel like celebrities with there black powers and many are suffering unnecessarily..
Sensible people are ambitioning to rise-up but this people wants to harm and pull you down.
I call on the victims of Kulam.. and join me hunting them down.. my blood is boiling with this mangkukulam in our society!
My grandma visited a mangkukulam once to find out who had robbed her house. I don't know exactly what she did, but it involved a black chicken. Anyway, a couple of days later, the man who robbed her house apologized and gave her stuff back. Or that's what they say, anyway :)