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
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.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.