Kapre: Difference between revisions

Kapre
Grouping	Tree creature
Similar entities	Agta
Region	Philippines

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In Philippine mythology, the kapre is a creature that may be described as a tree giant, being a tall (7–9 ft (2.1–2.7 m)), dark-coloured, hairy,^[1] and muscular creature. Kapres are also said to have a very strong body odour and to sit in tree branches to smoke.^[2]^{[citation needed]}

Origins[edit]

Detail of *Carta Hydrographica y Chorographica de la Yslas Filipinas* (1734) by Pedro Murillo Velarde showing the slaves brought from East Africa, usually by the Portuguese, sold in Manila as "Cafres"

The term kapre comes from the Arabic kafir (Spanish cafre),^[3] meaning a non-believer in Arabic (usually referring to atheists/idolists). The term was later brought to the Philippines by the Spanish who had previous contact with the Moors, they used it to describe the indigenous Negrito ethnic groups with dark skin and features similar to Black Africans. This is also evident in the fact that a synonym for kapre is agtà, another name for the Aeta people. The modern mythical characterizations of the kapre evolved from formerly racially prejudiced portrayals of Negrito tribes by the lowland Christianized ethnic groups of the Philippines during the Spanish period.^[3]

The first attestation of the use of the term was caphri, by Antonio Pigafetta of the Magellan expedition. They were described by the people of Suluan to the Magellan crew as dark-skinned, tattooed, and wore barkcloth (except for chieftains who wore a cloth headdress of silk), and had weapons ornamented with gold and large shields.^[4]^: 150

The term cafre was also used for Papuan slaves brought to the Philippines by the Portuguese before slavery was abolished by Spain.^[5]

Natural habitat and attire[edit]

Kapres are said to dwell in big trees like acacias, mangoes, bamboo, and banyan (known in the Philippines as balete). It is also mostly seen sitting under those trees. The Kapre is said to wear the indigenous Northern Philippine loincloth known as bahag, and according to some, often wears a belt which gives the kapre the ability to be invisible to humans. In some versions, the kapre is supposed to hold a magical white stone, a little smaller in size than a quail egg. Should any person happen to obtain this stone, the kapre can grant wishes.

Behavior[edit]

Kapres are believed to be nocturnal and omnivorous.^{[citation needed]} They are not necessarily considered to be evil. However, they may turn vengeful when the tree that they are inhabiting is cut down.^[6]

A Kapre may make contact with people to offer friendship, or if it is attracted to a woman. If a Kapre befriends a human, especially because of love, the Kapre will consistently follow its "love interest" throughout life. Also, if one is a friend of the Kapre, then that person will have the ability to see it and if they were to sit on it then any other person would be able to see the huge entity.^{[citation needed]}

Kapres, also called agtà,^[7] are said to play pranks on people,^[8] frequently making travelers become disoriented and lose their way in the mountains or in the woods. They are also believed to have the ability to confuse people even in their own familiar surroundings; for instance, someone who forgets that they are in their own garden or home is said to have been tricked by a Kapre. Reports of experiencing Kapre enchantment include that of witnessing rustling tree branches, even if the wind is not strong. Some more examples would be hearing loud laughter coming from an unseen being, witnessing much smoke from the top of a tree, seeing big red glaring eyes during night time from a tree, as well as actually seeing a Kapre walking in forested areas. It is also believed that abundant fireflies in woody areas are the embers from the Kapre's lit cigars or tobacco pipe.

Documentary[edit]

In the 2015 documentary series The Creatures of Philippine Mythology, the origin, history and evolution of the Kapre is examined. It starts in the pre-Spanish Philippines where animist beliefs created a huge black spirit that watched people from the trees, follows the etymology of the term "kapre", and discovers why the creature is always smoking cigars.^{[citation needed]}

References[edit]

^ Jocano, F. Landa (1983). The Hiligaynon: An Ethnography of Family and Community Life in Western Bisayas Region. Asian Center, University of the Philippines. p. 254. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
^ "Kapre (The Tree Giant)". PHILIPPINE TALES | Anthology of Philippine Mythology and Folklore. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
^ ^a ^b Michael L. Tan (2008). Revisiting Usog, Pasma, Kulam. UP Press. p. 66. ISBN 9789715425704.
^ Nowell, C. E. (1962). "Antonio Pigafetta's account". Magellan's Voyage Around the World. Evanston: Northwestern University Press. hdl:2027/mdp.39015008001532. OCLC 347382.
^ Blumentritt, Ferdinand (1890). List of the native tribes of the Philippines and of the languages spoken by them. By Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt.
^ Vicerra, PM; Javier, JR. "TABI-TABI PO: SITUATING THE NARRATIVE OF SUPERNATURAL IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PHILIPPINES COMMUNITY" (PDF). MANUSYA: Journal of Humanities. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
^ Wolff, John U. (1972). "kapri". A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan. Vol. 1. p. 442.
^ Wolff, John U. (1972). "agtà". A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan. Vol. 1. p. 15.

External links[edit]

Media related to Kapre at Wikimedia Commons
Filipino Folklore: Kapre

[1] Jocano, F. Landa (1983). The Hiligaynon: An Ethnography of Family and Community Life in Western Bisayas Region. Asian Center, University of the Philippines. p. 254. Retrieved May 23, 2017.

[2] "Kapre (The Tree Giant)". PHILIPPINE TALES | Anthology of Philippine Mythology and Folklore. Retrieved February 17, 2021.

[tan-3] Michael L. Tan (2008). Revisiting Usog, Pasma, Kulam. UP Press. p. 66. ISBN 9789715425704.

[Nowell-4] Nowell, C. E. (1962). "Antonio Pigafetta's account". Magellan's Voyage Around the World. Evanston: Northwestern University Press. hdl:2027/mdp.39015008001532. OCLC 347382.

[blument-5] Blumentritt, Ferdinand (1890). List of the native tribes of the Philippines and of the languages spoken by them. By Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt.

[6] Vicerra, PM; Javier, JR. "TABI-TABI PO: SITUATING THE NARRATIVE OF SUPERNATURAL IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PHILIPPINES COMMUNITY" (PDF). MANUSYA: Journal of Humanities. Retrieved May 23, 2017.

[7] Wolff, John U. (1972). "kapri". A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan. Vol. 1. p. 442.

[8] Wolff, John U. (1972). "agtà". A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan. Vol. 1. p. 15.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{short description|Philippine mythical creature}}
+{{Use Philippine English|date=February 2023}}
+{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
 {{cleanup rewrite|date=February 2020}}
 {{fringe|date=February 2020}}
 {{Philippine mythology 2}}
-{{short description|Philippine mythical creature}}
 {{Infobox mythical creature
 | image       =
 | name       = Kapre
 | Grouping = Tree creature
-| gender      = Male
 | Region      = [[Philippines]]
-| Similar_creatures  = [[Agta (Mythical Creature)|Agta]]
+| Similar_entities  = [[Agta (Mythical Creature)|Agta]]
 }}
-In [[Philippine folklore]], the '''kapre''' is a creature that could be characterized as a tree giant. It is described as being a tall (7 to 9&nbsp;ft), big, black, terrifying, hairy,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Jocano|first1=F. Landa|title=The Hiligaynon: An Ethnography of Family and Community Life in Western Bisayas Region|year=1983|publisher=Asian Center, University of the Philippines|pages=254|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DZEbAAAAIAAJ|access-date=23 May 2017|language=en}}</ref> muscular creature. Kapres are normally described as having a strong smell that attracts human attention. They stay at a branch of a tree smoking.{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}}
+In [[Philippine mythology]], the '''kapre''' is a creature that may be described as a tree giant, being a tall ({{convert|7-9|ft|abbr=on}}), dark-coloured, hairy,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Jocano|first1=F. Landa|title=The Hiligaynon: An Ethnography of Family and Community Life in Western Bisayas Region|year=1983|publisher=Asian Center, University of the Philippines|pages=254|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DZEbAAAAIAAJ|access-date=May 23, 2017|language=en}}</ref> and muscular creature. Kapres are also said to have a very strong body odour and to sit in tree branches to smoke.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kapre (The Tree Giant)|url=http://www.philippine-tales.com/7/post/2013/08/kapre.html|access-date=February 17, 2021|website=PHILIPPINE TALES {{!}} Anthology of Philippine Mythology and Folklore|language=en}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}}
 ==Origins==
 [[File:Carta Hydrographica y Chorographica de la Yslas Filipinas MANILA, 1734 - Detail, Cafres.jpg|thumb|Detail of ''Carta Hydrographica y Chorographica de la Yslas Filipinas'' (1734) by [[Pedro Murillo Velarde]] showing the slaves brought from East Africa, usually by the Portuguese, sold in Manila as "Cafres"]]
-The term ''kapre'' comes from the Arabic ''[[kafir]]'' (Spanish ''[[wikt:cafre|cafre]]''),<ref name="tan"/> meaning a non-believer in Islam (usually referring to [[Slavery in Africa|African slaves]]). The term was later brought to the Philippines by the Spanish who had previous contact with the Moors, they used it to describe the indigenous [[Negrito]] ethnic groups with dark skin and features similar to [[Black people|Black Africans]]. This is also evident in the fact that a synonym for kapre is '''agtà''', another name for the [[Aeta people]]. The modern mythical characterizations of the kapre evolved from formerly [[racism|racist]] portrayals of Negrito tribes by the lowland Christianized ethnic groups of the Philippines during the Spanish period.<ref name="tan">{{cite book|author= Michael L. Tan|title =Revisiting Usog, Pasma, Kulam|publisher =UP Press|year =2008|page=66|isbn =9789715425704|url =https://books.google.com/books?id=EktzHrfup1UC}}</ref>
+The term ''kapre'' comes from the Arabic ''[[kafir]]'' (Spanish ''[[wikt:cafre|cafre]]''),<ref name="tan"/> meaning a non-believer in Arabic (usually referring to atheists/idolists). The term was later brought to the Philippines by the Spanish who had previous contact with the Moors, they used it to describe the indigenous [[Negrito]] ethnic groups with dark skin and features similar to [[Black people|Black Africans]]. This is also evident in the fact that a synonym for kapre is '''agtà''', another name for the [[Aeta people]]. The modern mythical characterizations of the kapre evolved from formerly [[racism|racially prejudiced]] portrayals of Negrito tribes by the lowland Christianized ethnic groups of the Philippines during the Spanish period.<ref name="tan">{{cite book|author= Michael L. Tan|title =Revisiting Usog, Pasma, Kulam|publisher =UP Press|year =2008|page=66|isbn =9789715425704|url =https://books.google.com/books?id=EktzHrfup1UC}}</ref>
+The first attestation of the use of the term was ''caphri'', by [[Antonio Pigafetta]] of the [[Magellan expedition]]. They were described by the people of [[Suluan]] to the Magellan crew as dark-skinned, tattooed, and wore [[barkcloth]] (except for chieftains who wore a cloth headdress of silk), and had weapons ornamented with gold and large shields.<ref name=Nowell>{{cite book |last=Nowell |first=C. E. |year=1962 |title=Magellan's Voyage Around the World |chapter=Antonio Pigafetta's account |location=Evanston |publisher=Northwestern University Press |oclc=347382 |hdl=2027/mdp.39015008001532 }}</ref>{{rp|150}}
 The term ''cafre'' was also used for [[Papuan people|Papuan]] slaves brought to the Philippines by the [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] before slavery was abolished by Spain.<ref name="blument">{{cite book |last1=Blumentritt |first1=Ferdinand |title=List of the native tribes of the Philippines and of the languages spoken by them. By Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt. |date=1890 |url=https://quod.lib.umich.edu/p/philamer/AJZ8102.0001.001?rgn=main;view=toc}}</ref>
 ==Natural habitat and attire==
-Kapres are said to dwell in big trees like [[acacia]]s, [[mango]]es, [[bamboo]], and [[banyan]] (known in the Philippines as ''balete''). It is also mostly seen sitting under those trees. The Kapre is said to wear the indigenous Northern Philippine loincloth known as ''[[bahag (garment)|bahag]]'', and according to some, often wears a belt which gives the kapre the ability to be invisible to humans. In some versions, the kapre is supposed to hold a magical white stone, a little smaller in size than a quail egg. Should any person happen to obtain this stone, the kapre can grant wishes.{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}}
+Kapres are said to dwell in big trees like [[Samanea saman|acacia]]s, [[Mangifera indica|mango]]es, [[bamboo]], and [[banyan]] (known in the Philippines as ''[[Balete tree|balete]]''). It is also mostly seen sitting under those trees. The Kapre is said to wear the indigenous Northern Philippine loincloth known as ''[[bahag (garment)|bahag]]'', and according to some, often wears a belt which gives the kapre the ability to be invisible to humans. In some versions, the kapre is supposed to hold a magical white stone, a little smaller in size than a quail egg. Should any person happen to obtain this stone, the kapre can grant wishes.
 ==Behavior==
-Kapres are believed to be nocturnal and omnivorous.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} They are not necessarily considered to be evil. However, they may turn vengeful when the tree that they are inhabiting is cut down.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Vicerra|first1=PM|last2=Javier|first2=JR|title=TABI-TABI PO: SITUATING THE NARRATIVE OF SUPERNATURAL IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PHILIPPINES COMMUNITY|journal=MANUSYA: Journal of Humanities|url=http://www.manusya.journals.chula.ac.th/files/essay/Tabi-Tabi_1-13.pdf|access-date=23 May 2017}}</ref>
+Kapres are believed to be nocturnal and omnivorous.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} They are not necessarily considered to be evil. However, they may turn vengeful when the tree that they are inhabiting is cut down.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Vicerra|first1=PM|last2=Javier|first2=JR|title=TABI-TABI PO: SITUATING THE NARRATIVE OF SUPERNATURAL IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PHILIPPINES COMMUNITY|journal=MANUSYA: Journal of Humanities|url=http://www.manusya.journals.chula.ac.th/files/essay/Tabi-Tabi_1-13.pdf|access-date=May 23, 2017}}</ref>
-A Kapre may make contact with people to offer friendship, or if it is attracted to a [[woman]]. If a Kapre befriends a human, especially because of love, the Kapre will consistently follow its "love interest" throughout life. Also, if one is a friend of the Kapre, then that person will have the ability to see it and if they were to sit on it then any other person would be able to see the huge entity.{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}}
+A Kapre may make contact with people to offer friendship, or if it is attracted to a woman. If a Kapre befriends a human, especially because of love, the Kapre will consistently follow its "love interest" throughout life. Also, if one is a friend of the Kapre, then that person will have the ability to see it and if they were to sit on it then any other person would be able to see the huge entity.{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}}
-Kapres, also called agtà,<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|title = kapri|last = Wolff|first = John U. |encyclopedia = A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan|year = 1972 |url = http://seapdatapapers.library.cornell.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=seap&cc=seap&idno=seap085a&node=seap085a%3A11&view=image&seq=466&size=200|page=442|volume=1}}</ref> are said to play pranks on people,<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|title = agtà|last = Wolff|first = John U. |encyclopedia = A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan|year = 1972|url = http://seapdatapapers.library.cornell.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=seap&cc=seap&idno=seap085a&node=seap085a%3A11&view=image&seq=39&size=200|page=15|volume=1}}</ref> frequently making travelers become disoriented and lose their way in the [[mountain]]s or in the [[Woodland|woods]]. They are also believed to have the ability to confuse people even in their own familiar surroundings; for instance, someone who forgets that they are in their own garden or home is said to have been tricked by a Kapre. Reports of experiencing Kapre enchantment include that of witnessing rustling tree branches, even if the wind is not strong. Some more examples would be hearing loud laughter coming from an unseen being, witnessing much smoke from the top of a tree, seeing big red glaring eyes during night time from a tree, as well as actually seeing a Kapre walking in forested areas. It is also believed that abundant fireflies in woody areas are the embers from the Kapre's lit [[cigars]] or [[tobacco]] pipe. There might be Aztec influence there too since cigars and tobacco are a Native-American invention.{{Citation needed|date=December 2018}}
+Kapres, also called agtà,<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|title = kapri|last = Wolff|first = John U. |encyclopedia = A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan|year = 1972 |url = http://seapdatapapers.library.cornell.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=seap&cc=seap&idno=seap085a&node=seap085a%3A11&view=image&seq=466&size=200|page=442|volume=1}}</ref> are said to play pranks on people,<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|title = agtà|last = Wolff|first = John U. |encyclopedia = A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan|year = 1972|url = http://seapdatapapers.library.cornell.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=seap&cc=seap&idno=seap085a&node=seap085a%3A11&view=image&seq=39&size=200|page=15|volume=1}}</ref> frequently making travelers become disoriented and lose their way in the [[mountain]]s or in the [[Woodland|woods]]. They are also believed to have the ability to confuse people even in their own familiar surroundings; for instance, someone who forgets that they are in their own garden or home is said to have been tricked by a Kapre. Reports of experiencing Kapre enchantment include that of witnessing rustling tree branches, even if the wind is not strong. Some more examples would be hearing loud laughter coming from an unseen being, witnessing much smoke from the top of a tree, seeing big red glaring eyes during night time from a tree, as well as actually seeing a Kapre walking in forested areas. It is also believed that abundant fireflies in woody areas are the embers from the Kapre's lit [[cigars]] or [[tobacco]] pipe.
 ==Documentary==
@@ Line 34: / Line 37: @@
 ==See also==
-* [[Negrito]]
 * [[Aswang]]
 * [[Manananggal]]
@@ Line 49: / Line 52: @@
   | title = As I See It: Philippine mythological monsters
   | newspaper = Philippine Daily Inquirer
-  | date = 2008-10-31
+  | date = October 31, 2008
   | url =http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20081031-169390/Philippine-mythological-monsters }}
@@ Line 56: / Line 59: @@
 ==External links==
+*{{Commonscatinline|Kapre}}
-* [http://www.mangkukulam.com/folklore/347/Kapre: Filipino Folklore: Kapre]
+*[http://www.mangkukulam.com/folklore/347/Kapre: Filipino Folklore: Kapre]
 {{Philippine mythology}}
+{{Authority control}}
-{{authority control}}
 [[Category:Mythic humanoids]]
@@ Line 69: / Line 72: @@
 [[Category:Philippine mythology]]
 [[Category:Philippine legendary creatures]]
+[[Category:Tree gods]]
+[[Category:Forest spirits]]

v t e Indigenous Philippine folk religions (including their mythologies and folklore)
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