There are many kinds of beliefs in this world about the types of ghosts. One of the more popular types of ghosts in our local culture are the Malay ghosts. Of course, there are also the Chinese ghosts, English ghosts and even Indian ghosts depending on your religion, race and beliefs. For example, a vampire is an English ghost version whereas Malays simply knows them as “pontianak” and Chinese as “Kiong Xi”.

Malays believe that ghosts are usually only active at night especially during the full moon where it is belief to be the most powerful time for the underworld. Of course, be it fact or just simply another Malaysian Urban Legend, we’ll never know. Below are a lists of the types of Malay Ghosts

1. Pontianak – also known as the vampire where it is belief that they are usually ladies dressed in white seeking for revenge. The pontianak is said to be the spirit of a woman died of childbirth. Most of the time, they can look very beautiful but if you look closely, she would have razor sharp teeth. They usually comes out after the sun sets searching for men or pregnant women (apparently, it is said that she could not bear the thought of other women being able to enjoy motherhood) to suck blood. Sometimes, they even eat the flesh of babies ripped out from their mother’s womb.

2. Toyol – these are actually ghostly kids that people adopt for the objective of stealing other people’s money. It is believed that this spirit is kept and preserved in a jar in a form of a foetus. Because the toyol is kept by people to do bidding, you have to feed it with blood everyday.

3. Polong – unsen ghost that can be used by black magic practitioners (bomoh) to harm someone

4. Pelesit – a ghost in the form of grasshopper used by bomohs to possess someone

5. Hantu Air – water ghost found usually in rivers, lakes and swimming pools. They are usually the victim of drowning

6. Kum Kum – an old witch who attacks young virgins to restore her youth and beauty

7. Hantu Raya – ghosts that acts as a double for the bomoh

8. Hantu Tetek – translates as Ghost Breast. This ghost is a female with huge breasts which is said to use it to suffocate her victims

9. Bunian – good ghost or jinns (genie) that is usually found in the jungle. Loves to help humans in trouble or in need.

10. Hantu Bungkus (Pocong) – ghost jumping around wrapped in white shroud

Read complete article here. {via SpookyCorner}