Case file · Fairy lore
Engkanto
Philippine nature spirits that appear as beautiful, fair-skinned people, can cause illness or enchantment, and live in trees, rocks and mountains.
1600 CE · 12.88, 121.77 · status: legend
The account
Belief in engkanto (from Spanish encanto) runs across the islands. People ask permission before entering their places, and stories of people taken into the engkanto world, or falling ill after offending one, are still told. Comparable to Māori patupaiarehe and European elves.
The sceptical view
Belief stories and local custom; no physical evidence.