langsuir
In Malay belief, a woman who dies in childbirth will become a langsuir. These demonic beings have holes in the back of their neck through which they suck children's blood. The langsuir are dressed in green robes, have long nails, and long, jet-black hair.
There are special rites for women who die in childbirth: glass beads are put in their mouths, needles in the palms of their hands, and eggs are placed in each armpit. This prevents them from becoming a langsuir.
See also Gua Langsuir, langhui.
❧
References
Sources
- Bonnerjea, Biren. (1920). A Dictionary of Superstitions and Mythology. Thomson Gale.
- Leach, Maria, ed. (1984). Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend. New York: HarperCollins.
- Skeat, Walter Wm. (1906). Pagan Races of the Malay Peninsula. London: Macmillan, p. 13.