Genderuwo (Indonesia)

Genderuwo are muscular, ape-like spirits from Javanese mythology. Allegedly spotted in the forests and mountains of Java Island, their presence is typically indicated by their overpowering stench, described as the smell of blood or rotting flesh.

Genderuwo are said to have magical abilities, including the power to change their size—transforming from a dwarf-like humanoid into a towering giant. They are also shape-shifters, capable of impersonating people. According to folklore, genderuwo use this ability to deceive women, disguising as their partners and to trick them into intimate acts. These creatures have a strong libido and a particular fondness for women, with legends claiming they can mate with women to produce hybrid offspring.

Read more about Genderuwo in Ghosts, Spirits and Paranormal Entities from Asian Folklore and Mythology (Book 1).