BatiBat

Summary: The BatiBat, a demon from Philippine folklore, is a grotesque, obese hag known for her insatiable appetite and the ability to induce sleep paralysis in humans. The demon is associated with trees, particularly ancient ones with strong roots. Disturbing these trees without proper rites is believed to invoke the BatiBat’s wrath, resulting in terrifying nightmares and suffocation. The folklore serves as a reminder of the need for balance between humanity and nature.

The Obese Hag Demon of Philippine FolkloreFolklore is an umbrella term that encompasses vari More.

The BatiBat is a terrifying figure in Philippine folklore, often described as a demon that appears in the form of an obese hag. Unlike many of the more elegant and ethereal spirits of myth, the BatiBat is grotesque, embodying the darkest and most repulsive aspects of fear and hunger. It is said that the BatiBat preys upon humans—especially those who venture too far from the safety of their homes or who defy traditional customs.

The BatiBat is known for its insatiable appetite, which is symbolized by its monstrous size. Its hunger is not just physical but spiritual, feeding off the fear and pain of its victims. The demon’s appearance varies, but it is often depicted as a massive, bloated woman with sagging skin and a hideous face, marked by a twisted smile that reveals sharp, jagged teeth. Her eyes are said to gleam with malice, and her movements are often slow and deliberate, creating a sense of impending doom.

Her most striking feature is the ability to take control of a person’s sleep, trapping them in an agonizing state of paralysis. Batibat is associated with trees, particularly those with strong roots, and is believed to dwell in the ancient, towering trees of the Philippines.

Origin & Symbolism

Batibat is said to have been a victim of extreme jealousy in life. According to some versions of the myth, she was a woman who died out of anger and jealousy, and her spirit transformed into a Batibat, carrying out her vengeful wrath against humans who dare to disturb her resting place, which is the largest of the trees.

The demon’s power is most felt when someone disturbs a large tree or fells a tree without performing the proper rites. Woe betide those who fell her tree and use the wood as a support column for their house. Batibat will follow in spirit form and will move into the house, where she waits until the woodcutter is asleep. Then she seeks revenge by pinning them down during their sleep, pressing upon them with her immense weight.

Victims are left unable to move or scream, trapped in the suffocating nightmare of sleep paralysis as the Batibat’s force bears down on them. The BatiBat will sit upon its victim’s chest, suffocating them with its immense weight while feeding on their life force, until it has had its fill, or until the victim is dead. The same fate waits for any human who even dares to sleep beside or near its tree.

Batibat Message:

Batibat is a creature of folklore and does not exist in the physical realm. However, the cultural significance of the legend persists within the traditions, rituals and mythology of the Filipino people.

When her story is shared, it is a message of conservation, of the need for protection of the natural environment, and as a warning of the fate that befalls those who destroy natural habitats.

The Batibat story is passed down through generations as a reminder of the need for balance between humanity and nature

Physical Description

Appearance: The BatiBat appears as a grotesque, obese hag with sagging flesh, bloated skin, and an unnaturally large mouth full of jagged teeth. Her eyes gleam with an evil, knowing gleam, and she is often depicted sitting or looming over her victim while they sleep.

Size: The BatiBat is enormous, often described as massive and suffocating. Her size is a direct manifestation of her overwhelming hunger and thirst for power.

Behaviors and Abilities

Sleep Paralysis: Batibat is known for her ability to paralyze a victim during sleep, rendering them incapable of movement or speech. This horrifying attack occurs when the victim rests in a space where Batibat has influence, such as under the shade of a disturbed tree or near her resting place.

Supernatural Strength: Batibat is incredibly powerful, capable of exerting immense pressure on a victim, holding them down with the weight of her massive form. This is often symbolized in folklore as her physical dominance over the sleeper.

Tree Affinity: Batibat is inherently connected to large trees, particularly those with strong roots. The disturbance of these trees, often by cutting them down without offering proper respect, is said to summon her wrath.

Suffocation: Victims of Batibat’s influence often report feeling as though they are being smothered or crushed under her weight, making the paralysis feel like a slow, suffocating death.

It is said that there is a way to break free from the sleep paralysis and remove the Batibat. As soon as you sense her presence, either the feeling of dread or the crushing weight you must wriggle your toes and/or bite your thumb [9]Ramos, Maximo D. (1971). Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Philippines, University of the Philippines Press . You only have a few seconds but this will wake you from the dream and release you from Batibat.

Cultural Significance

The BatiBat is primarily active at night, lurking in the shadows of villages, waiting for an opportunity to strike. She is particularly drawn to those who have committed transgressions, whether minor or major, as a way of punishing them for their perceived wrongs. The BatiBat’s hunger is insatiable—no matter how much she feeds, she is always searching for more. This relentless drive makes her a terrifying and unpredictable entity, capable of appearing in the most unexpected places.

Though it is often said that the BatiBat cannot be seen during the day, its presence can be felt through an overwhelming sense of dread. The very air around it seems to grow heavy with despair, and its chilling laughter can sometimes be heard in the distance, a haunting reminder that it is always watching, waiting for the next victim.

Batibat plays a pivotal role in Filipino folklore as both a cautionary tale and a manifestation of natural forces. Her story serves to instill respect for nature and the environment, especially for trees, which are considered sacred in many indigenous Filipino traditions. The fear of Batibat highlights the importance of proper rituals and respect for natural spirits, reinforcing cultural beliefs about the sanctity of life and the interconnectedness between humans and the environment.

Modern Appearances (Pop Culture, Urban Legends, etc.)

Though Batibat is not as widely recognized in Western culture, she remains a prevalent figure in Filipino ghost stories and paranormal narratives. The legend has evolved with time, appearing in contemporary horror stories and films. The demon’s unsettling ability to manipulate sleep and trap her victims has led to her comparison with other sleep-related entities in various cultures, such as the Night Hag in European folklore. Her myth continues to resonate in stories where themes of environmental destruction and spiritual vengeance intertwine.

Notable Encounters:

The Woodcutter’s Curse: In one version of the tale, a woodcutter felled a tree without offering the necessary prayers to the spirits of the forest. That night, he was visited by Batibat, who pressed him down during his sleep, causing him to remain immobile until the morning. Terrified and remorseful, the woodcutter vowed never to cut another tree again without performing the proper rituals.

The Villagers’ Warning: A group of villagers, ignorant of the proper customs for tree cutting, made the mistake of destroying a sacred tree. Later that night, each villager was visited by Batibat in their dreams. Those who survived the encounter were left with vivid, terrifying memories of the demon’s wrath, and the village ultimately became a place of caution and reverence for nature’s spirits.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: The creature makes its appearance in the fifth episode of the Netflix series [10]Holmes, Martin (October 29, 2018), Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ Episode 5 Creeps Into Your Nightmares. TV Insider. Retrieved February 24, 2019 , portrayed by Megan Leitch [11]Megan Leitch is a Canadian actress probably best known for playing Samantha Mulder on The X-Files . In the episode titled “Dreams in a Witch House,” this version of Batibat is shown as a demon accidentally unleashed by Sabrina Spellman from a puzzle that belonged to her father. Once trapped in the house, Batibat seeks revenge by tormenting the Spellman family through their dreams. The demon feeds on their nightmares, hoping that one of them will release her from confinement, but she is ultimately stopped by Sabrina and Mary Wardwell / Madam Satan.

In the eleventh episode of the second season of Lost Girl, titled “Can’t See the Fae-Rest,” a Batibat named Maganda is mentioned as a Balinese tree nymph [12]Stiles, Paula R. (5 July 2012) “RECAP AND REVIEW: LOST GIRL 2.11: CAN’T SEE THE FAE-REST” Innsmouth Free Press .

The 2020 horror movie Evil Takes Root: The Curse of the Batibat includes one of these beings [13]EVIL TAKES ROOT: The Curse of the Batibat, IMDb, Genre Labs, Elevate Pictures .

Related Creatures

Incubus: An incubus is a male demon that takes on human form and is thought to engage in sexual relations with women while they sleep. The female equivalent of an incubus is referred to as a succubus [14]According to mythological beliefs, an incubus is a Lilin-demon in male form, who lies upon women with the intent of having sexual activity. The female counterpart of incubus is understood as succubus. .

Lietuvēns: The Lietuvēns [15]A creature that torments people and pets, usually at night. is a creature of lower mythology in Latvian folklore that torments livestock and people at night.

Pesanta: In Catalan folklore and cultural traditions, the Pesanta [16]A dog-like creature from Catalan folklore, known for black fur, steel paws and its connection with the sleep paralysis phenomenon is a giant dog that enters people’s homes at night and lies on their chests, making it hard for them to breathe and inducing terrifying nightmares.

Alp: In German folklore, the Alp is a male creature that attacks during the night, controlling dreams and causing nightmares. Its attack, called Alpdruck (“elf-pressure”), involves sitting astride a sleeper’s chest, becoming heavier until the weight causes the person to wake up terrified and breathless. 

Mahr/Cauchemar: These names refer to similar creatures in French-Louisiana and German lore, respectively, often associated with demonic entities that cause paralysis and crushing sensations while asleep. 

Mare: In Scandinavian folklore, the mare is a female creature that “rides” the victim’s chest, causing anxiety and feelings of suffocation. 

Night Hags: These creatures originated in Britain but can be found across most cultures. They are the Old Hags that possess a person as they sleep. They are said to sit on their victim’s chest, or at the foot of the bed, immobilizing them as they give them nightmares.