Previously: The Girl With The Green Ribbon.
Type: PE (Preternatural Entity).
Period/location of origin: Subject, known as “Hantu Galah” — “pole ghost” — originates in Malaysia, but may also be found in other southeast Asian countries within the Malay diaspora (Singapore and Borneo, for instance). The precise period of origin is unclear, although some sources suggest stories of subject to be a longstanding method of teaching children not to climb trees.
Appearance: Subject, as the name “hantu galah” might imply, appears to be a humanoid figure of extreme height, with exceedingly long, slender limbs — especially legs — and an equally long, slender trunk or torso. (Hence, “pole ghost” for its pole-like limbs and build.) Subject is also notable for its large quantity of hair, specifically upon its legs.
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Modus operandi: Subject may primarily be founded in forested areas, especially bamboo forests.
Targets may first observe subject from a distance, at which time it will appear to be of standard human size and proportions. Upon approach, however, subject will… elongate, growing impossibly tall. By the time targets reach subject, subject will have become so tall that targets will be able to see only subject’s legs, which will resemble the trunks of whatever the predominant tree is within the forest in which subject is encountered. (Bamboo is, again, common.)
Targets may, however, fail to identify subject as anything other than tree trunks; target may miss the forest for the trees, as it were: That is, they may not identify subject in its more human-like form, seeing it only when up close — and therefore missing entirely the fact that it is, well, subject, and not simply trees. This is by design; subject’s trunk-like legs may be viewed as a variety of camouflage, although whether this camouflage is intended to lure targets in or simply to allow subject to exist unbothered is up to some debate.
Should targets, at this point, attempt to look upwards — either in order specifically to view subject’s face, or simply to see how tall the “trees” surrounding them are — targets’ necks will become permanently fixed in this position.
It is not recommended that those encountering subject attempt to look upwards.
Additionally, should targets attempt to continue along their way by passing between subject’s considerably long legs, subject will actively attack, grabbing target and transporting them to somewhere… else — somewhere far away, possibly so removed that target may not survive the experience.
It is not recommended that those encountering subject attempt to pass between subject’s legs.
Despite these possible negative outcomes from encounters with subject, hantu galah is not necessarily considered “evil” or actively seeking to cause harm; it is more mischievous than anything else.
Containment: Subject is far too large to “contain,” in any meaningful sense of the word; however, targets may, upon encountering subject, avoid suffering any ill effects by simply:
a) not looking up, and
b) making sure to walk around subject’s legs, rather than through them.
Additionally, it has been suggested periodically that subject may be banished through the action of picking up a stick or twig and audibly snapping it in half. Not all sources specify this containment method, however; how effective it is (or is not) may require further research.
Of course, given that it can be difficult to spot subject before it is too late, these containment methods might fall under the heading of “easier said than done.”
Additional notes: Subject should not be confused with Hantu Tinggi, or “tall ghost.” Although both varieties of hantu are known for their height, hantu tinggi is significantly taller, reaching such heights that its body is said to disappear into the clouds. It is also considerably more malicious than hantu galah, and is therefore to be avoided.
Hantu galah may, according to some sources, be kept as a companion under certain circumstances. Should a hantu galah grow fond of a human, it may permit said human to pluck a hair from its legs, thus sealing the companionship. Once joined, a human companion may summon hantu galah by plucking a hair from their own leg and burning it. Precisely what may be accomplished by summoning the hantu galah is not defined by many sources — but the fact remains that, should a hantu galah be made a companion, it may also be summoned by its human counterpart.
Should a human develop a companionship with subject, subject cannot be removed from the human companion’s life. Upon the death of the human companion, subject will pass down to the human companion’s next of kin. This may be seen as a blessing or a curse, depending on one’s point of view.
Whether subject is directly related to previous Encyclopaedia subjects the Slender Man or Hasshaku-sama has not been determined; all three subjects, however, do have one distinctive quality in common — their unusual and preternatural height — and, as such, the possibility of such a relationship cannot be ruled out. Further research is required.
Recommendation: Don’t climb trees.
Don’t look up.
And above all: Stay out of the woods.
Resources:
Pencil sketch of hantu galah via Reddit.
“I saw what looked like a tall man in the distance…” via Reddit.
“Hantu Galah” via Late Night Mysteries at YouTube.
The Staunch Disbelievers at Langkawi Nature Tours.
Ghosts And Folk Beliefs In Malaysia.
Analysis Of The Naming Of Types Of Ghosts In The World Of Malay Mysticism. (In Malay.)
27 Types Of Ghosts In Malaysia. (In Malay.)
7 Famous Ghosts In Malay Culture That Are Used To Scare Children. (In Malay.)
Pencil sketch of hantu tinggi via Reddit.
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[Photos via Pexels, tristantan, rwgusev/Pixabay]
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