Sigbin

Infobox Philippine mythology


title = Sigbin or Sigben
description = Familiar, Cryptid
gender = Male/female
region = Philippines
equivalent = AmamayongThe Sigbin or Sigben is a creature of Philippine mythology said to come out at night to suck the blood of victims from their shadows. The creature walks backward with its head lowered between its hind legs and also said to have the ability to become invisible to other creatures especially humans. It resembles a hornless goat, emits a very nauseating smell and possess a pair of very large ears which are capable of clapping like a pair of hands and a very long flexible tail that can be used as a whip. [cite book |last=Ramos |first=Maximo D. |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology |year=1971 |publisher=University of the Philippines Press |location=Philippines |isbn= |pages = ] It is also claimed to issue forth from its lair during Holy Week, looking for children that it will kill for the heart, which is made into an amulet. [cite web | last =Lindemans | first =Micha F. | title =Sigbin | url=http://www.pantheon.org/articles/s/sigbin.html | accessdate = 2007-07-22 ]

It is also believed that there are families known as "Sigbinan" ("those who own "Sigbin"), who possess the power to command them. It was also said that the "Sigbinan" keeps the "sigbin" in a jar made of clay. The "aswang" is said to keep it as a pet, along with another mythical creature, a bird known as the "Wak Wak". The "sigbin" is said to bring wealth and luck to its owners.

It is also believed that sigbin is lucky for many businessmen, because it attracted good auras and elements. So many people believed that many successful businessmen were from the families of "Sigbinan".Fact|date=September 2008

In the Eastern Visayas they are also known as the "Amamayong".Fact|date=September 2008

There is speculation that the legend may be based on sightings of an actual animal species that is rarely seen; based on the description of the "sigbin" in popular literature, the animal species might be related to the kangaroo.cite web | last =Tiempo | first =Edilberto K. | title =The Witch | url=http://www.seasite.niu.edu/tagalog/Literature/Short%20Stories/The%20witch.htm | accessdate = 2007-07-22 ] With the recent discovery in the island of Borneo of the cat-fox, [cite news | last = Meek | first = James | title = On the trail of the Borneo cat-fox | pages = | publisher = The Guardian| date = 2005-12-07 | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/conservation/story/0,13369,1660581,00.html | accessdate = 2007-07-23 ] a potential new species of carnivore described as having hind legs that are lower than its front legs, the animal species that is the possible basis of the legend as well as the reported sightings of "sigbin" may belong to or is related to the cat-fox species.

In popular culture

The "sigbin" is the object of song by the Visayan band Junior Kilat, entitled "Original Sigbin". [cite web | last = | first = | title =Original Sigbin | url=http://www.kumanta.com/lyrics-9205.htm | accessdate = 2007-07-22 ]

ee also

*Chupacabra

References