Tradition / Region: Indonesian Mythology
Alternate Names: Prostitute Ghost
Category: Ghost
The Myth
The Sundel Bolong is a female ghost from Indonesian folklore, especially associated with Javanese mythology. She is usually described as a beautiful woman with long black hair and a flowing white dress. Hidden beneath her hair is a large hole in her back, which is the creature’s most horrifying feature.
According to the legend, the Sundel Bolong is the spirit of a woman who died while pregnant outside of marriage or who died during childbirth. In some versions of the story, the child is said to have emerged through her back, leaving behind the gaping hole that defines her appearance.
The Sundel Bolong wanders at night searching for revenge or for a replacement for her lost child. Her victims are often men and children. Some stories claim that men who reject or insult her are attacked or mutilated, while newborn children may be abducted by the spirit.
Although she appears beautiful from the front, her true form is concealed by her long hair. In many tales, unsuspecting travelers are lured closer before discovering the terrible wound hidden on her back. The myth became one of the most feared ghost stories in Indonesian folklore and is commonly associated with death, grief, vengeance, and the dangers surrounding childbirth and social shame.
Sources
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Sundel bolong. In Wikipedia, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sundel_bolong