Sigbin

Philippine mythologyTitle Sigbin Description Familiar, CryptidGender Male/female Region PhilippinesEquivalent Amamayong This box: view • talk • edit

The Sigbin is a creature of Philippine mythology said to come out at night to suck the blood of victims from their shadows. The creature walks backward with its head lowered between its hind legs. It resembles a hornless goat, emits a very nauseating smell and possess a pair of very large ears which are capable of clapping like a pair of hands.[1] It is also claimed to issue forth from its lair during Holy Week, looking for children that it will kill for the heart, which is made into an amulet.[2]

It is also believed that there are families known as Sigbinan ("those who own Sigbin"), who possess the power to command them. The aswang is said to keep it as a pet, along with another mythical creature, a bird known as the Wakwak.[3] The sigbin is said to bring wealth and luck to its owners.

In the Eastern Visayas they are also known as the Amamayong.

There is speculation that the legend may be based on sightings of an actual animal species that is rarely seen; based on the description of the sigbin in popular literature, the animal species might be related to the kangaroo.[3] With the recent discovery in the island of Borneo of the cat-fox,[4] a potential new species of carnivore described as having hind legs that are lower than its front legs, the animal species that is the possible basis of the legend as well as the reported sightings of sigbin may belong to or is related to the cat-fox species.

In popular culture

The sigbin is the object of song by the Visayan band Junior Kilat, entitled Original Sigbin.[5]

References

^ Ramos, Maximo D. (1971). Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Philippines: University of the Philippines Press.
^ Lindemans, Micha F.. Sigbin. Retrieved on 2007-07-22.
^ a b Tiempo, Edilberto K.. The Witch. Retrieved on 2007-07-22.
^ Meek, James. "On the trail of the Borneo cat-fox", The Guardian, 2005-12-07. Retrieved on 2007-07-23.
^ Original Sigbin. Retrieved on 2007-07-22.