The Old Man of the Anthill
In the Philippines, people walking past an anthill in the fields politely ask permission: 'Tabi tabi po'. An old spirit might live inside.
What was reported
The nuno sa punso, the 'old man of the mound', is a dwarf-like spirit of Philippine folklore who lives in anthills and termite mounds. He's said to look like a tiny, old, bearded man. He can be kind, but he's easily offended.
Anyone who steps on, kicks or damages his mound without asking may be cursed with sickness, swelling or rashes, which only a traditional healer can cure. Many Filipinos still say 'tabi tabi po', 'excuse me, please', when passing an anthill or walking through unfamiliar fields at night.
Explanations offered
The nuno sa punso is part of a wider tradition of nature spirits in the Philippines, which comes from beliefs older than Spanish colonial times. Folklorists see the custom of asking permission as a way of showing respect for nature and of being careful, since disturbing ants can lead to painful bites and swelling.
- When
- A living tradition
- Where
- Bulacan, Luzon, Philippines
- Witnesses
- Philippine folklore
- Status
- Folklore
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.
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