Mangkukulam

Mangkukulam or bruha (from Spanish: bruja, "witch") are witches, wizards, bruho (Spanish:brujo, "wizard, male witch"), or sorcerers who cast evil spells to humans. This bewitcher is also called manggagaway.[4] The Mangkukulam uses dark magic.

The difference between a mambabarang and a mangkukulam is that the mambabarang uses magical insects to bring harm to his victims. These insects are released after incantations, when they will search for their supposed victim and burrow under the skin, impregnating her. After some time, matruculans return to the house to kill the pregnant mother, open her abdomen, and eat the growing fetus.

Kulam or "Pagkukulam" is a form of folk magic, specifically natural magic, practiced in the Philippines. It puts emphasis on the innate power of the self and a secret knowledge of Magica Baja or low magic. Earth (soil), fire, herbs, spices, candles, oils and kitchenwares and utensils are often used for rituals, charms, spells and potions.

The Mangkukulam (/mahng-koo-KOO-lam/) can be considered a Filipino witch, literally meaning "a practitioner of kulam". Other terms are the Spanish brujo and bruja (masculine and feminine forms of "witch"; Filipinized as bruho and bruha). The verb kulamin (/koo-LAH-min/) means "to bless or hex", while a curse is called a sumpâ (/soom-PA/), which can also be translated as a "vow" or "oath". The Mangkukulam may use a voodoo doll and a needle to cast spells on people they want to revenge on, but largely use natural magic and superstitions similar to an Albularyo, or witch doctor. Both can be considered witches, but the main difference is that the Albularyo is more of a doctor who heals people, while a Mangkukulam is a malevolent person who tricks and curses others.

To date, there have been no media, research, or claims that "good mangkukulam" exist, so it is fair to assume that the mangkukulam is the "bad witch" of Philippine witchcraft.

Mangkukulam (noun) is a person employing or using Kulam, ie the "witch".

Kinukulam (noun) is the target of the Kulam.

Nakulam (adj.) describes someone or something experiencing the effects of the Kulam.

Kulamin (verb) means to bewitch or do magic on a thing or person.

Ipakulam (verb) means to have someone bewitch, bless or hex someone or something else