What is a tiyanak? The Pinoy mythological creature’s chilling origins explained

A “tiyanak” is described in popular culture as a hideous, demonic, and bloodthirsty child who usually preys on pregnant women or unfortunate souls who go into the woods.

This terrifying mythological creature has inspired many ghost stories and horror movies here in the Philippines, but have you ever wondered what could have started such a horrific urban legend?

According to a special Halloween episode of GMA’s “Pinoy Klasiks,” the word tiyanak is said to be derived from the words “mati” and “anak,” which translates to “dead child.”

A legend from Mindanao suggests tiyanaks are souls of children whose mothers had died while giving birth, so they are left alone to become frightening demonic creatures.

Meanwhile, other Southeast Asian nations like Malaysia and Indonesia have similar legends about women who died during childbirth called the “pontianak.”

The Catholic Church was also known to have made use of the urban legend to encourage parents to have their children baptized.

As Prof. Nestor Castro of the UP Department of Anthropology explained it, such stories about tiyanak were products of common unfortunate occurrences that happen during childbirth.

“Laganap ito dahil merong common na nagaganap sa mga buntis na maaaring dahil sa peligro ng panganganak ay makunan sila, mapapanganak ang bata pero mamamatay ang ina, o kaya pareho silang mamamatay,” Castro said.

“Ito ay parang isang pagtawag na hindi dapat ganito ang mangyari, ang ganitong pangyayari sa ating mga nanay at mga buntis,” he added.

Wherever the stories may have originated, Castro also believed the legend of the tiyanak could serve as a reminder for society to take proper care of pregnant mothers.

“Noong unang panahon naman kasi hindi alam ng mga tao kung bakit namatay sa panganganak ang isang nanay dahil wala pa talagang access sa mga ospital, pero ang pinaka-importante doon ay mag-ingat at huwag pabayaan ang ganitong maselang kalagayan,” he said.

Watch the full episode of “Pinoy Klasiks” here. – Margaret Claire Layug/RC, GMA News