Tikbalang: The Horseman of the Trees

The Watcher in the Canopy

In the rainforests of the Philippines, the trees have eyes. The Tikbalang is a tall, bony humanoid creature with the head of a horse. He crouches on the high branches, his knees rising above his head like a grasshopper. He smokes a cigar as thick as a forearm, the smoke mingling with the jungle mist. He is not a demon. He is an elemental guardian of the forest.

The Master of Confusion

The Tikbalang is a trickster. He does not usually eat people. He plays with them. He casts a glamour over travelers, causing them to lose their sense of direction. You might walk a straight path for an hour, only to find yourself back at the same tree you started from. He warps space to keep you in his domain, laughing silently from the shadows.

Breaking the Spell

If you are lost in the Tikbalang's woods, GPS will not save you. There is only one counter-spell: Turn your clothes inside out. By reversing your shirt, you confuse the spirit or show him you are aware of his trickery. The illusion breaks, and the path reveals itself. Politeness also helps. Saying "Tabi-tabi po" ("Excuse me, passing through") asks permission from the unseen spirits.

The Golden Hair

There is a way to tame the beast. Legend says the Tikbalang has a mane of sharp spines. Hidden among them is a single golden hair. If you are brave enough to jump onto his back, hold on while he bucks through the sky, and pluck that golden hair, he becomes your servant for life. But be warned: it is a rodeo that few survive.

The Final Warning

If you smell burning tobacco in the deep jungle and have walked past the same rock twice, stop. Take off your shirt and turn it inside out.