Tradition: Philippine mythology
Alternative names: Sarangay
Category: Cow
The Myth
The Sarangay is a creature from Philippine mythology described as a powerful hybrid resembling a minotaur. It has the body of a man combined with that of a male water buffalo.
The creature is said to possess a precious gemstone attached to its ears. The Sarangay guards these jewels fiercely, and anyone who attempts to steal them is said to be killed mercilessly.
When a Sarangay becomes enraged, smoke is said to pour from its nostrils, emphasizing its dangerous and supernatural nature.
When Spanish observers encountered accounts of the creature in the seventeenth century, they reportedly interpreted the description as resembling the Greek Minotaur.
Sources
“Sarangay.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed August 29, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarangay