The Babi Ngepet, also knowns as boar demon, are boar-like demons that originate from Indonesian mythology. These demons are usually invoked through Pesugihan, a type of Indonesian black magic that involves the invocation of demons that grant wealth at the cost of the practitioners very own humanity.
Overview[]
A sorcerer would allow a Babi Ngepet to possess them, contorting their body into that of a foul boar like creature. Some myths tell of powerful sorcerers who would arrive into towns, fully enveloped in black robes, then miraculously turn into this creature in mere seconds. After the transformation, the boar demon would rampage through the village, scratching their body against the walls, doors, cupboards, or furniture of establishments.
The belongings of villagers, such as money, gold, and jewellery would magically vanished and be carried away by the Babi Ngepet. If the task is successful, and by the time a sorcerer safely returns home and transforms back into their human form, the black robes would be filled to the brim with the stolen loot.
Description[]
Invocation[]
A Babi Ngepet invocation requires three people, two who will live and one who will die.
The two individuals must betray and kill a person who is close to them while calling out to the Babi Ngepet. Once this dark act has been completed, the Babi Ngepet will possess the person they deem to be the most reprehensible, known as the Babi Bajingan, granting them the power to transform into a were-boar like creature at nighttime. To the other individual, the demon will give a candle which which will burn whenever the Babi Bajingan is transformed.
According to legend, the flame serves as a symbol for the life of the Babi Bajingan. When the boar is in danger, the candle flame will move in an unsteady direction or begin shaking, fading or going out. When this happens, the candle watcher must immediately blow the candle flame to death so that the were-pig is not caught in the act by villagers, or turned back into their human form.
However, if the candle flame is extinguished on its own, then the Babi Bajingan may be killed or caught, and will not be able to return to their human form, remaining demonically enslaved forever. Because of these beliefs, villagers often chase or even kill any boar wandering around the village at night.