Whispers in the Dark: 10 Forbidden Black Magic Rituals of Southeast Asia

Note: This article was created with the assistance of AI technology and edited by the author for accuracy and style.

Disclaimer: This article explores Southeast Asian folklore and occult traditions purely from a cultural and storytelling perspective. It is not intended as endorsement, instruction, or encouragement to practice such rituals.

Southeast Asia is a region full of mysteries. Growing up, I often heard stories about shamans, curses, and strange rituals, but I never imagined how deep these beliefs ran until I started researching them. Some are tied to healing traditions, while others strike fear even today. What follows is a journey into the shadowy world of Southeast Asian black magic—counted down to the most feared practice of them all.

10. Talismanic Water

In Taoist traditions across Southeast Asian Chinese communities, priests prepare “Talismanic Water” by burning charms and mixing the ashes with water. Believers drink or sprinkle it to heal illnesses or repel evil. Critics say the same ritual can also be twisted into cursing enemies.
According to folklore, some victims supposedly fell ill after unknowingly consuming such water.
Source: Journal of Chinese Religions, 2019

9. Corpse Oil (Minyak Dagu / Nam Man Prai)

Thai and Malaysian folklore describe sorcerers extracting oil from the bodies of the violently dead, especially young women. This “Corpse Oil” is said to empower love spells or summon spirits. In 2012, Thai police arrested individuals in possession of corpse oil for occult rituals.
Legends say it was often taken from the jaws of stillborn babies or from the chins of the newly dead, a practice that horrified communities.
Source: Bangkok Post, 2012

8. Susuk (Charm Needles)

In Malaysia and Indonesia, some believe inserting tiny gold or diamond needles beneath the skin—combined with ritual chanting—can grant beauty, charisma, or luck. Doctors sometimes discover these needles during X-rays, long after the patient received them.
According to local tales, those who die with Susuk needles still inside may become restless spirits, unable to find peace.
Source: The Straits Times, 2016

7. Leak (Balinese Witchcraft)

On Bali, witches known as Leak are said to detach their heads at night, trailing organs as they fly to drink blood. They are linked to Rangda, the demon queen, who fights the protective Barong spirit in Balinese mythology.
Folklore describes the Leak as feasting on fetuses or fresh corpses, making them one of the most feared beings in Balinese stories.
Source: Indonesia Expat, 2018

6. Bomoh Rituals

In Malay culture, a Bomoh is a traditional shaman or healer. Villagers have long turned to them for cures, protection, or spiritual guidance. Their reputation is mixed—some rely on herbs and prayers, while others are feared for casting curses or invoking spirits to harm rivals.
The practice gained global attention in 2014, when a self-proclaimed “Raja Bomoh” performed rituals with coconuts and bamboo at Kuala Lumpur airport during the search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. International media mocked the display, while many Malaysians felt embarrassed. Yet the incident also revealed how, even in a modern nation, the Bomoh still holds cultural weight—respected by some, ridiculed by others.
Source: The Guardian, 2014; Al Jazeera, 2014

5. Kuman Thong (Golden Child)

Thailand’s Kuman Thong legend is chilling. In older accounts, sorcerers allegedly used stillborn fetuses to create spirit dolls, binding the child’s soul through dark rituals. In 2012, police even intercepted a smuggler with preserved fetuses intended for occult use.
According to lore, owners must feed Kuman Thong with milk or sweets to keep the spirit loyal. Neglect is said to turn the doll vengeful.
Source: BBC News, 2012

4. Toyol

Toyols are spirit-children in Malaysian and Indonesian folklore. Summoned by shamans, they steal valuables and obey their master in exchange for offerings. Small and mischievous, Toyols are blamed for thefts or family misfortune.
Local tales say leaving toys or candies out can distract a Toyol, preventing it from stealing.
Source: New Straits Times, 2008

3. Gu Poison

Brought by Chinese migrants, Gu Poison is created by sealing venomous creatures in a jar until one survives, absorbing the others’ toxins. Its essence is said to cause madness or death. Though ancient, stories of Gu Poison still surface in Malaysia and Thailand.
According to tradition, a Gu master could enslave victims by mixing the poison with food, making them weak and obedient until the curse was lifted.
Source: Asian Folklore Studies, 2004

2. Gong Tau (Cursing Hexes)

Among Chinese communities in Singapore and Malaysia, Gong Tau is considered one of the darkest curses. Sorcerers allegedly use Corpse Oil, blood, or personal items to target victims.
Legends claim that victims might hallucinate, waste away, or even vomit nails—symptoms attributed to this feared black magic.
Source: The Straits Times, 2012

1. Santet (Javanese Death Spell)

Nothing inspires terror in Indonesia like Santet. Believed to kill from afar, victims allegedly cough up nails, glass, or collapse without explanation. Fear of Santet has been so strong that mobs lynched suspected sorcerers in East Java in the late 1990s, leaving hundreds dead. In 2019, lawmakers debated banning Santet under Indonesia’s new criminal code.
Folklore says a dukun (sorcerer) only needs to chant incantations or stab a doll representing the victim for the curse to work—making Santet the undisputed king of black magic in Southeast Asia.
Sources: South China Morning Post, 2019; Human Rights Watch, 1998

Sources:
- Journal of Chinese Religions (2019)
- Bangkok Post (2012)
- The Straits Times (2012, 2016)
- Indonesia Expat (2018)
- The Guardian (2014)
- Al Jazeera (2014)
- BBC News (2012)
- New Straits Times (2008)
- Asian Folklore Studies (2004)
- South China Morning Post (2019)
- Human Rights Watch (1998)

While many of these practices lack scientific validation, their persistence shows how belief can be as powerful as fact. Whether we view them as superstition, folklore, or living tradition, they remind us that mystery and fear still shape human culture. If you ever visit the places where these stories are told, approach them with respect and caution. Listen to local experts and never attempt these practices yourself. Curiosity is valuable—but recklessness can turn curiosity into danger.