Hantu Raya (Malaysia)

Hantu Raya are familiar ghosts bound to black magic practitioners. Since the term “hantu raya” translates to great ghost, this has led to the common misconception that they are the rulers of all ghosts. But the term is used for spirit servants that work for necromancers and black magic practitioners. 

Some sources also claim that hantu raya are the Malay counterparts of genderuwo from Indonesian folklore (described in Chapter 75 of Ghosts, Spirits and Paranormal Entities from Asian Folklore and Mythology (Book 1)). However, any ghost can become a hantu raya if it pledges itself to a black magic practitioner in exchange for sustenance. To maintain control over a hantu raya, the practitioner must regularly offer food, typically comprising yellow glutinous rice, eggs, and roasted chicken. Failing to do so angers the spirit, leading it to become hostile towards its own master.