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Sundays with Lola

Tiyanak

tee-YAH-nahk

The tiyanak is a forest spirit from Filipino folklore that, people say, cries like a lost baby to trick travelers into wandering off the path.

House and nature spiritSpookiness

Lola's story

Some creatures are too spooky for my books, and the tiyanak is one of them. When I was a girl, the grown-ups told this story only to each other, late at night, after the children were supposed to be asleep. I listened from the stairs, and I didn't sleep at all.

So I'll tell you just a little. That's enough.

What people say

People in many parts of the Philippines tell of the tiyanak, a spirit of the gubat, the forest. They say it makes a sound like a baby crying, so that kind travelers leave the path to look for it, and get lost. Some stories say it can change its shape.

The tiyanak is one of the best-known creatures in Filipino folklore and appears in many Filipino horror movies. It is not one for little ones.

How to stay safe

The old stories give the same advice as for the tikbalang: if you're lost, turn your shirt inside out. Better still, stay on the path, and walk with your family.

Tagalog words and how to say them

TagalogMeans
gubatGOO-bahtforest
iyakEE-yahka cry; crying
takottah-KOTscared

Questions people ask about the tiyanak

What is a tiyanak?
A forest spirit from Filipino folklore that is said to imitate the cry of a lost baby to trick travelers into wandering into the woods.
How do you pronounce tiyanak?
tee-YAH-nahk, with the stress on YAH.
Why isn't the tiyanak in Lola's books?
It's too spooky for little ones. Lola's books are for ages 3 to 7, so their creatures stay spooky-funny.
Is the tiyanak real?
No. The tiyanak is a character from Filipino folklore.

More creatures

House and nature spiritTikbalangThe tikbalang is a very tall trickster from Filipino folklore with the head of a horse, who likes to lead travelers in circles until they're lost.Spooky
House and nature spiritSantelmoThe santelmo is a wandering ball of light from Filipino folklore that floats over rivers, fields and roads at night.Spooky
Shape-shifterAswangThe aswang is a shape-shifter from Filipino folklore who looks like an ordinary neighbor by day and turns into a big black dog, pig or bird at night.Spooky

Sources