The world of mythology is full of unsettling creatures, both benign and malevolent. In England, the devil dog Black Shuck has supposedly been terrifying residents of East Anglia for hundreds of years. Mapinguari, an obscure Bigfoot-type creature, is said to roam the rainforests of the Amazon, and in the Congo River Basin in Africa, the legend of Mokele-Mbembe tells of a living relic from the age of the dinosaurs. We can add to that list the tikbalang, an enduring and enigmatic figure that’s been part of the Philippines’ rich tapestry of folklore for centuries.
But is there a real-life tikbalang? Is there a tall, bony creature lurking in the remote outreaches of the Philippines, or is the story of tikbalang nothing more than a campfire tale passed down from generation to generation, with each regional version adding their own embellishments?
Let’s find out…
The Origins of the Story of Tikbalang
An eighteenth century engraving of a satyr (Credit: Olaf Kruger via Getty Images)
The origins of the tikbalang myth are unclear. However, references to the creature – variously spelled tigbalang, tigbalan, or tikbalan – were already part of local folklore long before Spanish colonists arrived.
Early references described the legend at the time as fantasma de montes, or ‘phantoms of the mountains,’ as well as satiro (satyrs), duendes (gnomes), or trasgo (goblins). These accounts didn’t specifically mention equine traits, making the later association with horses a curious evolution in the story. Indeed, it wasn’t until the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries that the idea of tikbalang taking on the characteristics of a horse became a central part of the story. Some scholars believe the conquistadors played a role in shaping the tikbalang’s image, using it to intimidate and instill fear into the local population.
Despite the ambiguity surrounding its origins, the tigbalang legend is firmly embedded in Filipino culture, especially in rural communities where encounters continue to be reported.
What Does Tikbalang Look Like?
A Victorian engraving of a half-man, half-horse figure (Credit: whitemay via Getty Images)
Every version of the story of tikbalang describes the creature slightly differently, but it’s usually described as a tall, bony humanoid with disproportionately long limbs, the head and feet of a horse, matted fur, eyes glowing like embers, and razor-sharp claws.
In one alleged encounter, a boy from the town of San Mateo described this ‘werehorse’ as ‘very tall and skinny, with a long face like a horse, the shins of his legs reaching above his head when squatting down…(he had) very long ears and nose and somewhat short horns on his forehead, very large and frightening eyes, and the mouth of a horse.’
The tikbalang has also been described as a shapeshifter who can appear as a handsome stallion or a beautiful human, and can turn invisible at will. Some say it can transform into someone familiar to its victims, including exactly copying voices and mannerisms.
Mountaineers have reported experiences whereby the creature shapeshifts into a hiking guide, but the giveaway that it’s actually a tikbalang is that it’s barefoot.
The Powers of the Tikbalang
The tikbalang is said to confuse tourists in the dense forests of the Philippines (Credit: danilovi via Getty Images)
Beyond its distinctive appearance, the tikbalang is reputed to possess a host of supernatural abilities that have helped it remain a potent figure in Filipino storytelling. It’s often said to have the power to confuse tourists and travellers, causing them to become hopelessly lost on familiar paths, or being so mischievous that whichever way they turn it leads them back to where they started.
A version of these tales describes how the tikbalang can summon torrential rain storms as well as whirlwinds that carry terrified victims for miles in its vortexes. Another says it’s a benevolent guardian of an elemental kingdom, where the forces of physical matter dissolve and coalesce. Other legends claimed that the only way to be free of the wrath of the tikbalang was to turn one’s shirt inside out.
More malicious versions of the story of tikbalang describe a brutal aggressor who abducts and eats his victims. Yet most suggest a mischievous trickster rather than anything darker.
Things That Go Bump in the Night…
What lurks in the forest...? (Credit: David Wall via Getty Images)
While there aren’t any verified or documented sightings of the tikbalang, there are anecdotal stories of encounters with tigbalang the werehorse.
One of the most famous stories is of a boy who encounters a mysterious tall figure in the forest while on his way home. Despite attempts to ignore the creature, he becomes disoriented and is led astray, resulting in a fever that lasts for days. When he finally recovers, his family concludes that he had an encounter with a tikbalang. Whether he did or not remains a matter of conjecture!
Another story recounts the experience of a boy named Paulino from Lipa City. Sent to fetch water, he encounters what he believes to be his mother, who behaves strangely and leads him deeper into the forest. When he realises it’s not his mother but a tikbalang in disguise, he becomes frightened and lost. His absence prompts a search party, who eventually find him in a state of confusion and fear.
Others have shared tales of spotting a mysterious silhouette – a tall, horse-headed figure standing upright and watching silently – only for it to vanish the moment someone tries to get a clearer look. Encounters often occur in rural settings, particularly at night or in secluded areas, where the creature’s influence is most potent.
The Legacy of the Tikbalang
Satyrs have appeared in art and theatre for centuries (Credit: powerofforever via Getty Images)
In a world often dominated by urban life and digital connectivity, the story of tikbalang nevertheless persists. Its abiding presence in tales, art, theatre, and even popular culture underscores the enduring power of myth – and the timeless allure of creatures that exist at the outer edges of the known world.
