The Exorcism of a Merman

I had begun to get adjusted to the folklores and beliefs of monsters. Small villages where old habits and old stories died hard. I enjoyed them recounting stories as we sat in the bamboo house of there experiences with monsters and spirits most of which came down to rustling in bushes. Although none of these stories could prepare me for what i saw last Sunday.

Another trip to the market slightly later this time so as we walked in the dark to the other side of the village i ducked and weaved my way through low tree branches and even lower iron roofs. Being careful not too be garroted by washing lines that all the other youth sailed under easily completely unscathed. I wander at the back slowed by my darting eyes watching for obstacles waiting to give me a concussion. It wasn't until i walked into the back of eman that i realized we had stopped there was at least 30 people all peering around and through the gaps of a house this was fairly easy as the front was made of only about 5 bits of bamboo. I presumed everyone had gathered for the boxing or cockfight or horse fight or what ever other national sport it was to be indulged in tonight. The house flickered orange and the air was completely still no one made a sound. We had all stopped so i stood towards the back seeing over with ease straining my eyes to see inside. It took me a while to work out what i was looking at; there was a girl kneeling on the floor she looked straight forward as an elderly woman walked around her. Now if you were to think Filipino voodoo witch doctor this lady fit that stereotype (if there is one) perfectly. She muttered something inaudible to all but herself. She began talking very loudly in ilongo i couldn't hear a single word i recognized. Everyone was still completely silent. The boys obviously seeing my look of fear and bewilderment ushered me to carry on and as soon as we were out of earshot. Not able to interrupt the eerie silence we had left i muttered "what the hell was that" they laughed simply saying "exorcism" and began walking again.

I stood standing for a minute completely confused and speechless i caught up eager for a better explanation. they all began to excitedly explain at once as we walked up the dirt road. all in broken English and with different starting points. The best explanation i could get was that the girl had been acting strangely had superhuman strength and a large appetite a few other things i think the boys through in just to paint a more exciting picture. Alas true or not it all came down to the fact she had been possessed by a merman. Of course this was the only logical explanation and i was foolish to think it anything else i felt like laughing but didn't feel it was appropriate. I knew that as much as the boys enjoyed joking and telling the stories of monsters this folklore was still a part of there culture. A part of me thinks they still carry the fears of their grandfathers and all the creatures that whisper up from the sea next to the place they call "home."