Tradition / Region: Philippines Mythology
Alternate Names: Carango
Category: Spirit, Forest dweller
The Myth
In the folklore of the Ibanag people of northern Luzon, karangos are small nature spirits who dwell throughout the landscape. They inhabit the earth itself, as well as hills, forests, and cultivated fields. These beings are not tied to villages or human structures, but to the land in its natural state.
Karangos are regarded as the true owners of the land. Humans may live, farm, and travel across these places, but the spirits are believed to possess them in a deeper and older sense. Because of this, respect toward the land is essential, and careless or disruptive behavior is considered dangerous.
When summoned by a shaman, karangos are said to answer with a whistling sound, signaling their presence. This sound serves as their form of response rather than speech, marking a boundary between the human and spirit worlds.
Although small, karangos are not harmless. They are known to cause harm to those who disturb their dwellings, whether by damaging the land or failing to observe proper conduct. Their punishment is not described in detail, but their role as guardians of the land makes them figures to be feared as well as respected.
The name Carango appears as a Latinized spelling, but it refers to the same beings known among the Ibanag as karangos—spirits bound to the soil, unseen but ever-present, enforcing the unseen laws of the land they claim as their own.
Gallery
Sources
Bestiary.us contributors. (n.d.). Karango. In Bestiary.us, from https://www.bestiary.us/Karango
Interpretive Lenses
Religious Readings
- Christian Ascetic Deep Dive
Philosophical Readings
- Nietzschean Deep Dive
Psychological Readings
- Jungian Deep Dive
Esoteric Deep Dive
- Hermetic Deep Dive
Political / Social Readings
- Marxist Deep Dive
Other
- How to Invite The Karango