Kapre (The Tree Giant)

The kapre is a tree dwelling creature in Philippine Mythology. They are invisible to
normal people and because they can’t be seen, they enjoy playing tricks and confusing people
who happen to wander off near their dwelling places. This is why Filipinos living in rural areas
suspect Kapres to be the culprit whenever someone suddenly lost track of his trails in the
woods or in the mountains without a logical reason.

What do Kapres Ireally look like?

Although invisible, the Kapre is believed to

appear as a male tree giant with thick black hair
covering his body. It also has a beard a kapre only
wear a loincloth or bahag and possesses an
enchanted belt that makes them invisible to the
human eye. On the other hand, other accounts
mention that kapres appear naked or have leaves
covering their private parts.

While some people believed that kapres

are harmless and just play tricks, more people
affirm that there is no such thing as a good kapre.
In fact, kapres are lustful creatures and so they are very dangerous especially to women whom
they have taken a liking to. This is the reason why they are several accounts about kapres
sexually abusing women while they are conscious or while asleep.
 This Filipino tree demon looks like a great mixture of human and ape.  It is generally a
giant, 8 feet tall, with black or brown, long course hair including a beard and eyes that burn like
a cigar tip.  Its favorite activities include smoking cigars, misleading travelers, tricking little
children wandering around the woods at night (honestly, why are children always wandering
the woods?), gambling, and drinking.  This beast is often compared with the North American
Bigfoot, or the Yeti.  They have giant tree-thick legs, long fingernails and sharp teeth.  It is
generally a prankster that enjoys confusing people, sometimes even taking away little bits of
their memories so they can’t find their way home, and is not particularly violent (like most
Filipino monsters).  Also known as the Tikbalang or Agta in the Visayan dialect.  Their biggest
fashion statement is wearing a bahag (much like shorts), but beyond that they roam the forests
au-naturale.  For some reason often pictured with dreads, but there’s nothing to suggest that
all Kapres wear their hair in dreads.
Where can you find one?

First, you have to be in the Philippines.  The Kapres enjoy hanging out in giant trees, like
the Mango, Acacia, Bamboo, Narra or Balete (Banyan) trees.  He can generally be found sitting
in the shade, smoking his cigar or up in the branches just enjoying the good life of being a
mythical beast that is generally invisible to the naked human eye unless he wants to be seen.
They can also live in abandoned houses or ruins, but your best bet of finding one is in giant tree.
But if they’re invisible, how you can tell if a Kapre’s nearby?

So, having established that Kapres are fond of smoking cigars, oftentimes you can smell
them without ever having to see them.  They smell strongly of tobacco smoke, and sometimes
you can get a glimpse of their red-coal eyes staring down at you as you take your nightly forest
stroll.  Oftentimes people who have had an encounter with a Kapre report hearing loud laughs
from the trees or see leaves rustling when there’s no wind or animals nearby.  If you happen to
have an ember nearby and its glowing, this means the Kapre is in a mischievous mood.  Also, if
you find yourself getting constantly lost, chances are a Kapre’s playing little mind tricks on you.

Alright, so what does a Kapre do exactly?

What, being invisible and playing pranks isn’t enough for you people?  Ok, alright, so in
general Kapres are go-lucky chill beasts, but if you get one angry…  First and foremost, the
Kapre isn’t like the Bigfoot or Yeti because it isn’t really a beast or an animal.  It’s more of an
elemental being, so whatever it’s going to do with you won’t be just a mauling with its fingers.
Kapres can make you sick, or cause you great harm.  Also, they’re apparently very much fond of
falling in love with human women (not enough Kapre females to go around, I guess), so they
often abduct women from their homes (let’s not go into details about what happens to the
women once abducted by this Cupid-struck monstrosity).  

The poor saps are highly romantic and are said to follow around their female love
interest for her entire life.  They become very possessive of their female ‘lovers’, or women
they fall in love with, and often won’t let any human male have her.  Recall that generally they
are gentle pranksters, but once they become jealous lovers they turn quite violent.  A personal
favorite prank that Kapres are inclined to indulge is taking someone’s bed, while occupied, out
of their house and putting them up in the branches of a tree without waking up the occupant.

How to not get tricked by a Kapre:

So, if you don’t want a Kapre to be mean to you here are a few things you can do to
make sure you’re safe.  First off, don’t court a woman who’s being romanced by a Kapre.  Just
don’t do it.  If you don’t want a Kapre to keep getting you lost in a forest, wear your shirt inside-
out (why didn’t I think of that?  I mean compasses are useless anyways).  Also, when passing
under a giant tree, assume a Kapre’s hanging, and so not to offend the Kapre make sure to ask
for permission to pass his tree.  And one last thing: don’t make too much noise in the forest.
Kapres are cigar-loving, tree-top dwelling giants, so please, keep your boom box (a portable
sound system, typically including radio and cassette or CD player, capable of powerful sound)
volume at a 0.

What are the Origins (or theoretical origins) of the Kapre?

To quote Fonzi Christ (because even I get tired of trying to make original content): “The
term kapre comes from the Arabic “kaffir” meaning a non-believer in Islam. The early Arabs and
the Moors used it to refer to the non-Muslim Dravidians who were dark-skinned. The term was
later brought to the Philippines by the Spanish who had previous contact with the Moors. Some
historians speculate that the legend was propagated by the Spanish to prevent Filipinos from
assisting any escaped African slaves.” (From the website: http://tx.english-
ch.com/teacher/jocelyn/others/philippine-mythical-creatures/)

Although if this is the origin theory, what’s with the cigar smoking?  But it kind of makes sense
why they have dread locks.

Sightings by People:
An Australian mother whose daughter (and herself later) has an experience with a Kapre:
http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=65827

About.com apparently has a Paranormal Phenomena page of Your True Stories.  This one is a
girl recalling her brother’s experience with a Kapre in the Philippines:
http://paranormal.about.com/library/blstory_august04_20.htm

Some whose spinster grand-aunt had a Kapre who fell in love with her and the odd misfortunes
that befell any of her suitors:  http://silentreed.hubpages.com/hub/a-scary-love-story
Reference:
https://beastsandmyths.wordpress.com/asia/south-east/philippines/kapre/

https://www.philippine-tales.com/creatures/kapre