Thank you that was fascinating. Good luck with your publication. In Indonesia we call her Kuntilanak (sometimes called Pontilanak esepcially in Borneo) and appears to have come from the Yakshi (of Hindu tradition). Now being largely Muslim, many people are a little ambivalent regarding specific ghosts, but all do believe in these ideal type spirits, possibly from the Buddhist tradition of hungry ghosts. In Western Europe, I associate white ladies much more with the fae and normally see such stories as having an animistic origin (water spirits). In Shropshire, where I grew up, stories of grey ladies are as common as white ladies. I have never really worked out why, but stories of fae are not as common as in other parts (especially neighbouring Wales). But I suspect it could be related to stories of the Asrai.
@@TheMagicofJava Thank you! I need to look into it in more detail but I wonder if the association with the fae is particularly Celtic. Though that doesn’t quite fit with them being more common in Shropshire than Wales! And then it sort of got mixed up with the common Grey/White lady ghosts in long dresses wandering around castles! If you have any recommendations for English language books about Indonesian folklore I would love to read more about it :)
Yes that's why I suspected that the Asrai could be important in this link. But I suspect it all goes back to Brittonic animism. Alas English isn't one of the languages that many Indonesians speak and hence there are few English language books available (which would include yours). Folklore, ghosts, etc are considered somewhat backward and of no interest to international audiences. Although there are many horror films in the Indonesian language for the domestic audience. More academic/serious consideration would normally be in a local language, especially in Javanese, Sundanese and Balinese. Some Australian and Dutch academics have written about Indonesian folklore, mostly in English, but as such books are not available here I am in no position to recommend one.
@classicaljg what's also weird is during the live stream my real name popped up (Russell) but when I comment on your videos it uses my handle. Also don't apologize for rambling on a q&a livestream. The whole point of tuning in is to listen to you talk and ramble. I would have asked more questions but you seemed eager to end the stream.
@@TheDevilock666 Oh I'm sorry I didn't mean to seem like I was trying to get away! I was probably going into lecture mode. I'll have to work on my live-streaming! I'm always happy to answer as many questions as people have! :)
Thank you that was fascinating. Good luck with your publication.
In Indonesia we call her Kuntilanak (sometimes called Pontilanak esepcially in Borneo) and appears to have come from the Yakshi (of Hindu tradition). Now being largely Muslim, many people are a little ambivalent regarding specific ghosts, but all do believe in these ideal type spirits, possibly from the Buddhist tradition of hungry ghosts.
In Western Europe, I associate white ladies much more with the fae and normally see such stories as having an animistic origin (water spirits). In Shropshire, where I grew up, stories of grey ladies are as common as white ladies. I have never really worked out why, but stories of fae are not as common as in other parts (especially neighbouring Wales). But I suspect it could be related to stories of the Asrai.
@@TheMagicofJava Thank you!
I need to look into it in more detail but I wonder if the association with the fae is particularly Celtic. Though that doesn’t quite fit with them being more common in Shropshire than Wales! And then it sort of got mixed up with the common Grey/White lady ghosts in long dresses wandering around castles!
If you have any recommendations for English language books about Indonesian folklore I would love to read more about it :)
Yes that's why I suspected that the Asrai could be important in this link. But I suspect it all goes back to Brittonic animism.
Alas English isn't one of the languages that many Indonesians speak and hence there are few English language books available (which would include yours). Folklore, ghosts, etc are considered somewhat backward and of no interest to international audiences. Although there are many horror films in the Indonesian language for the domestic audience. More academic/serious consideration would normally be in a local language, especially in Javanese, Sundanese and Balinese.
Some Australian and Dutch academics have written about Indonesian folklore, mostly in English, but as such books are not available here I am in no position to recommend one.
@@TheMagicofJava I’ll keep an eye out for any English language resources from Australian or Dutch writers, thank you!
I swear i left a comment on this video this morning. Did it get taken down for some reason?
@@TheDevilock666 Not by me, and I don’t know if I saw it - I have noticed RUclips takes down comments randomly for no apparent reason sometimes :(
@classicaljg well darn, it was really long and thought out. Such is life. In short, good video.
@@TheDevilock666 oh no I’m so sorry! I definitely didn’t see that! I hate it when websites glitch like that :(
@classicaljg what's also weird is during the live stream my real name popped up (Russell) but when I comment on your videos it uses my handle. Also don't apologize for rambling on a q&a livestream. The whole point of tuning in is to listen to you talk and ramble. I would have asked more questions but you seemed eager to end the stream.
@@TheDevilock666 Oh I'm sorry I didn't mean to seem like I was trying to get away! I was probably going into lecture mode. I'll have to work on my live-streaming! I'm always happy to answer as many questions as people have! :)
What is the charm on your necklace?
It’s from Supernatural :) it’s a necklace Sam gives Dean on the show, I got it at a convention :)
Thank you! Supernatural was one of my favorites