Busaw

Infobox Philippine mythology


title = Busaw
description = Philippine ogre, Corpse eater
gender = Male/female
region = Philippines
equivalent = Aswang, Amalanhig, Bal-Bal

Busaw was a creature that looks like and lives like humans. They raise farm animals and plant root crops. However, its favorite food is human. This is the reason you will see scattered human skeletons on the grounds of its dwelling place . [cite web | last =| first = | title = Da Adventure of Pendro Penduko| url= http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=List_of_mythical_and_supernatural_beings_and_objects_in_Pedro_Penduko_%28TV_series%29 | accessdate = 2008-15-09 ]

The "Busaw" was a ghoul who was also a corpse thief. An evil spirit who looked and behaved like ordinary human beings by day, it listened for sounds of death in the evenings, and dwelled in large trees near cemeteries. It had pointed teeth, hooked nails and a long tongue. It took banana tree trunks to replace the dead as it stole the corpses out of their coffins. Then, spiriting the corpse off after first turning it into a pig, the "Busaw" would feast on it and even try to feed it to their human neighbors during the day in order to turn them into ghouls like itself. To ward the "Busaw" off, all corpses should be washed completely with vinegar and strong-smelling herbs. Salt is also a busaw repellant. [cite web | last =| first = | title = Filipino Ghosts and Spirits| url= http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1066706| accessdate = 2008-15-09 ]

References