The Banai (Interview with Inang)

Mindoro, Island (1992)

I sat down and interviewed my mother about the folklore of our people. She told me scary about forest spirits called, "Labong"that feast on the souls of unfortunate travelers who stray from the trails. As our conversation continued she told me about a forest spirit that was not as devious, nor scary. The spirit is called, "Banai" and has taken a particular interest to children. She lurers children away from their village into the forest. It appears that they are not harmed by this spirit, but instead is protected. Perhaps all the Banai wants is company that it once had in a previous life-time.