The term "Sangkabagi" refers to a prominent entity in Ilocano folklore in the Philippines, typically associated with the transport of souls to the realm of the dead. Its portrayal varies, but it is generally a feared spirit or being.
The people of Ilocos Norte are afraid of these spirits. These appear to be the same supernatural creatures that the Ilocos-Sur countryside refers to as katatao-an. According to the legends of the peasants of Ilocos Sur and La Union, these are elves or dwarfs; they typically assume the guise of humans or other enormous beings and travel at night on an aerostatic ship, capturing individuals discovered in an uninhabited area and devouring their dead.
It is Sangkabagi who bestows upon man the ability to heal. Typically, sangkabagi are depicted as lovely creatures who transport the deceased's souls at night on floating bancas. Some even thought that on their nighttime rounds, they gave out medication to the ill.
Key characteristics and beliefs surrounding the Sangkabagi:
Appearance: Frequently compared to a grim reaper, they travel through the night sky on a flying bangka (boat) in pursuit of corpses or souls.
Role: Its primary role is to act as a psychopomp, guiding or taking the souls of the deceased to the afterlife or the underworld. It is also referred to as the anito (spirit) of space or the katatao-an.
Contradictory lore: While largely feared in Ilocano folklore, some older accounts, particularly from the book Way of the Ancient Healer, suggest that the Sangkabagi was originally a helpful entity. In these versions, they are beautiful beings who distributed medicine to the sick, healed people, and could even grant magical powers to friends before being antagonized by Spanish colonizers.
Harmful aspects: In the more common, fearsome legends, the Sangkabagi is said to snatch people in their sleep, feed on human livers, or command termites to destroy the belongings of those who have wronged them.
Description: A flying spirit that is dangerous and frightening.
Transportation: Takes a ride in a bangka, a big flying boat.
Activity: Travels around the underworld at night in search of cadavers to transport to its territory.
Other Name: Also referred to as the spirit of space or the katatao-an.
Origin: Found in mythology and traditions of the Ilocano people, such as those compiled by Isabelo de los Reyes.
Sources:
DICCIONARIO MITOLÓGICO DE FILIPINAS, Ferdinand Blumentritt [1895], translated and republished by The Aswang Project, 2021)
Creatures Of Darkness (Philippines) Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/mganilalangngkadiliman/posts/the-sangkabagi-riding-on-his-flying-bangka-boat-in-the-middle-of-the-night-the-s/1991026804432699/
