POLONG

Lore

A polong is an artificially created familiar found only in the magical practices of the peoples of the Malay Archipelago. The term "polong," common on the Malay Peninsula and nearby islands, refers to a malevolent spirit imprisoned in a vessel and answerable only to the sorcerer who made it. Etymologists link the word to the idea of a hidden creature sealed inside a container.

Legend gives the polong a dual form: in its natural state it is invisible, but in documented witchcraft rites it is said to appear as a tiny woman about one inch (2.5 cm) tall-an adult human in perfect miniature.

Creating a polong always involves human blood-specifically the blood of someone who died a violent death. The witch places this blood in a small, narrow-necked bottle and, for one or two weeks, chants spells over it every day. When faint chirping is heard inside, the spirit is considered "born." To complete the process, the sorcerer pricks a ring finger and lets the polong drink fresh blood, forging a permanent parent-child bond. When not on assignment the spirit is kept in its bottle, which is stored outside the living area or even buried to prevent accidental escape. A polong lives only as long as it receives blood for nourishment.

Such familiars are created solely for killing-usually people who threaten the witch, or targets chosen out of revenge or envy.