Category Archives: Myths

Sacred narratives

Text: If you pass a sharp object such as a knife or scissor without placing it on a flat surface, it means a bad omen

Context: “Anytime I go back home to India and I’m passing cutlery or like silverware to my friends, specifically a knife or a sharp object, they always tell me to place it on a flat surface or like a surface before they take it, just because if I pass it to them directly, there’s a myth that I’m gonna have a fight with them or they’ll walk out of my life or something bad and negative will happen to them.” This is what my friend told me when I interviewed him. He’s Indian and his friends back home believe in this, but although he doesn’t believe in this, he’s forced to follow this tale. On the positive side, he said that his friends’ beliefs about this make him question if there is “another force in the universe.”

Analysis: This folklore tale delves into deep cultural and interpersonal dynamics. This practice, while seemingly rooted in superstition, underscores a broader cultural wisdom emphasizing caution and respect in human interactions. It resonates with Ülo Valk’s insight that folkloric entities are “shaped by the perspectives…of storytellers” (Valk 31), suggesting that such tales reflect communal values and the social fabric of a culture. Similarly, Domino Renee Perez’s observation that folklore figures like La Llorona “wield power by making often incomprehensible choices” (Perez 155) highlights how folklore governs individual actions, even beyond personal belief. This tale, therefore, is more than a superstition; it’s a ritualistic expression of mindfulness and a nod to the collective wisdom that guides social conduct. It connects individuals to their cultural heritage, fostering a sense of continuity and respect for the unseen forces that shape human relationships. Moreover, this tale interestingly highlights the permeation and resilience of cultural beliefs through social networks and friendships, even among individuals who may not personally subscribe to these beliefs. My friend’s adherence to this practice, despite his skepticism, underscores the compelling nature of cultural norms and the respect for the beliefs of others within one’s community.

Big Sur Ghost Myth

Ghost Story: 

In Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park lies the cabin of John Pfeiffer, the founder of the State Park. He lived in a cabin with his family nearly 200 years ago, and it still stands, rickety and weathered, in the forest along the Big Sur River. It is said that his ghost still lives in the cabin and haunts the campers who set foot on the cabin at night, so the campers must stay away from the area and cannot hike up to the cabin if they want to avoid being haunted.

Context: 

The informant grew up hearing this ghost story told whenever she would camp in Big Sur over the summer. The story would be told by family, friends, and soon all of the parents of the children that she camped with. It became a tradition to tell this ghost story around the campfire at night, and then hike to the house to scare the children.

Analysis: 

This ghost story is a prime example of society’s fascination with the paranormal. If this ghost story was actually true, wouldn’t the campers want to stay away from the cabin to avoid being haunted? Instead, many people seem to chase ghosts, and often try to perform the act that these ghost stories specifically warn them not to. This shows that people are more interested in the thrill of ghost stories and the paranormal than they are actually afraid of ghosts. This could also be because ghost stories do not have a very high truth value; most people who “believe” in ghosts might not actually anticipate seeing one. Rather, it is more the concept of the paranormal that they want to believe than their actual expectation of being haunted by a ghost.

Haunted Mansion Myth

Text: 

It is believed that Greystone Manor in Los Angeles, California is haunted and filled with ghosts.

Context:

The informant heard this myth from his coworkers in Los Angeles. He has heard that the mansion is filled with ghosts, and that it has a very suspicious history. Like most historic houses, it is believed to be haunted.

Analysis:

There are many myths about historic homes and other buildings being haunted, and Greystone Manor is a prime example. Society seems to have a very strong fascination with the paranormal and any possibility of ghosts and hauntings. This fascination begs the question of why we are so drawn to the things that are meant to frighten us. After all, many ghost stories tell us specifically what NOT to do to avoid being haunted; even going to houses that are supposedly “haunted”. However, ghost stories have the reverse effect and often encourage us to seek out the ghosts that the stories warn us about. 

This reverse psychology exemplifies the deep curiosity that much of society has about what happens after we pass on. Believing in ghosts and hauntings might give us some sort of comfort, because it tells us that we are never really gone. In seeking out ghosts and ghost stories, we feel like we have more involved in the mystery of our existence and consciousness as well. 

Hauntings in a Hospital

My friend’s mom worked as an assistant nurse in the Hospice wing of a hospital. In that same floor of the hospital, there was a physical therapy room also near a crematorium. One day, a man walked past the physical therapy room and he claimed to have seen one of the exercise bikes moving by itself. He told my friend’s mom that strange things would happen in that room and things would feel off. This man was allegedly a medium and he would tell my friend’s mom of similar supernatural occurrences. The man went as far as to say the entire floor of the hospital was haunted. 

This was a story told to my friend by his mom and according to him, both he and his mom believe these ghost stories. When I asked why, my friend said it was especially the case something like this took place in a hospital because it was “so charged by death”.

I’ve heard so many ghost/haunting stories about supernatural activity at a hospital and like most ghost stories I am unsure of whether to believe them or not because the logic behind hauntings at hospitals does make sense, but then again, on what grounds?

Nuno sa punso

Text: Nuno sa Punso

My informant is a friend of my family. 

Context: This creature is a small mythical creature that lives in the mounds. It is a dwarf (or dwende in the Philippines) creature that curses people who enters its home or forbidden areas. Usually people say that they live in anthills.

She said she first heard it during the time we first wandered around outside the house, or any unfamiliar older looking places. She believes in it’s message that you have to respect the old mounds or old places where you think the “Nuno sa Punso” lives. And you have to say “Tabi Tabi po” and repeat it 3x. It means “can I politely pass through your place”. It will protect you from them being angry and cause you to have bad luck, and sometimes cause you to get sick. She states that it’s relevant because the story has been passed down for generations. It also teach a good moral value of being respectful for the places and beings around you. Some people still think it’s real, especially in the province. The Philippines has a lot of old forest and mounds. So every time people from the city wandered around the place the locals usually educate them to pay respect to the inhabitants of the forest. Sometimes they have to do rituals and offerings for protection and safe passage of the travelers.

Analysis: 

Analyzing “Nuno sa punso”, this story comes across as a legend. The main drive of this story is of the creature that brings fear onto people who visit places they should not be in. The overall message of this story is to respect places you go to, as stated by my informant.

Though this message can hold to any place or anything because you should respect the places you go to regardless of whether they are sacred or not. The creature’s punishments show a consequence which is a punishment to people who go and do what they are told not to do. I think that this legend makes people become more wary of places but also more self aware. Doing bad things can lead to bad consequences.

I think this story circles back to how Filipinos deeply value respect to the elderly and respect in general. A lot of cautionary stories attached to creatures have to do with avoidance of bad actions. Filipinos deeply value their home in the Philippines, and this creature embodies that sentiment.