Pocong

Pocong
Other name(s)hantu bungkus (Malay), bobongkong (Banten Sundanese), Kende-Kende (Sama Bajau)
CountryIndonesia
Region
  • Origin

Central and eastern hemisphere of Java

  • Popularity

Nationwide Indonesia and countries with significant Javanese diaspora

Pocong (Indonesian pronunciation: [pɔ't͡ʃɔŋ] poh-chong; from Javanese: ꦥꦺꦴꦕꦺꦴꦁ, romanized: pocong, lit.'wrapped-in-shroud') is a ghost that looks like a person wrapped in a funeral cloth.[1] In Islamic funeral, a shroud called a "kain kafan" (in Indonesian and Malay) is used to wrap the body of the dead person. The dead body is covered in white fabric tied over the head, under the feet, and on the neck, and the shroud is firmly tied at multiple junctures to maintain its position during the journey to the grave site. Upon placement into the grave, it is believed that the knots must be undone or the corpse will animate and be known as a Pocong.[2] Pocong is also known in Malaysia as Hantu Bungkus (wrapped-up ghost).[1]

  1. ^ a b Bane, Theresa (2012). Encyclopedia of Demons in World Religions and Cultures. McFarland. ISBN 9780786463602.
  2. ^ Bane, Theresa (2016). Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. McFarland. p. 102. ISBN 9781476663555.