The Pontianak | 7
The Pontianak is the Malay Peninsula’s fiercest – and most fearsome – phantom. She’s a vampire ghost known for her terrifying appearance and insatiable hunger for revenge.
This powerful entity represents a fascinating tension between traditional mystical beliefs, contemporary Islamic culture, and Western scientific viewpoints in the region.
Of course, her story also reflects the patriarchal societies she haunts. The legend of the Pontianak highlights the fear of women's power and agency, as she embodies uncontrolled passion and a defiant attitude towards societal expectations.
Despite attempts to banish or destroy her, the Pontianak remains a symbol of resistance and a reminder that monsters never truly disappear.
Key moments
- 1:06 Clever Amir
- 8:03 Welcome to the party!
- 10:09 The Pontianak and the Kuntilanak
- 13:57 The city founded by ghosts
- 15:21 Mysticism, Islam and scientific beliefs
- 16:27 Patriarchy on the peninsula
- 22:30 She's still out there
If you’re enjoying the show, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review Paranormal Pajama Party to help others discover it!
View all my sources for each episode and read the episode transcript here.
Follow @ParanormalPJParty on Instagram or subscribe to the podcast's newsletter, Lights Out!
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.