Duwende Lore the Philippines
The Many Faces of the Duwende: Guardians, Tricksters, and Friends Beneath the Earth
The Duwende—tiny, mysterious beings from Philippine folklore—have lingered in our collective memory for generations, invoking both wonder and unease whenever they're mentioned. Often imagined as an old man, or nuno, the size of a child and dwelling beneath mounds of earth (punso), the Duwende is far more than just a bedtime scare tactic. What could be more fascinating—or more chilling—than discovering that there are many types of Duwende in the Philippines, and that they could be either a loyal friend or a dangerous foe?
The Old Man in a Child's Body
The late Dr. Maximo Ramos, a pioneer in documenting lower Philippine mythology, described these beings as "spirits of the fields," "of the hills," and "people of the ground." Despite their small stature, Duwendes are often depicted with exaggerated features—large eyes, prominent noses, big hands and feet—much like the dwarves of Scandinavian and Germanic folklore.
In a 1933 article for Philippine Magazine, Emeterio C. Cruz described them as small humanoids with one eye centered on their forehead and a large nose with a single nostril. Most commonly, however, the Duwende is visualized as an old man, no taller than a child, wearing a traditional salakot.
Beneath their anthill homes lie vast collections of gold and gemstones, which they guard jealously. Sometimes, they gift these treasures to humans they favor—often beautiful women who sing while they cook, or friends they have taken a liking to. In Surigao, the Sagay, a dwarf-like being, doesn’t live in anthills but in mines, and exchanges its gold only for the blood of children.
Duwendes are perhaps best known for their ability to curse those who wrong them, inflicting ailments no doctor can cure—rashes, fevers, and unexplained pain. But they also reward those who show respect and kindness. In Ilocano lore, the Kibaan, with their backward-facing toes and long hair, once gifted an enchanted coat that rendered its wearer invincible and a kiraod, a dipper that could fill an empty jar with rice.
The Lampong, from Ilongot tradition, is said to transform into a white deer with a glowing eye, acting as a guardian of the forest and protector of wildlife.
Though feared and respected, Duwendes often live near human communities—sometimes even in homes, though they remain hidden. This could explain the Spanish term duende, a contraction of duen de casa, or “owner of the house.”
Spirits of the Earth
Duwendes are intrinsically tied to the element of earth, with their homes found in land formations like anthills or rice fields. Jaime Licauco, in his book Dwarves and Other Nature Spirits: Their Importance to Man, links them to elemental spirits—beings composed of a single element, as theorized by Swiss philosopher and mystic Paracelsus. Earth elementals, known as Gnomes, are closely related to Duwendes, acting as guardians of mines and hoarders of treasure. As earth beings, they can move underground with ease and rarely interact with humans.
In Philippine lore, Duwendes are seen as guardians and, at times, the rightful owners of the land. Among the Ifugao, the Karanget—also called kutong-lupa or “louse of the earth”—is honored with offerings like boiled rice, unsalted chicken, and cigars. These rituals, performed at sunset and before plowing, ensure the Duwende’s favor. Farmers even sprinkle rooster blood on young plants to gain the creature’s protection.
The Ilocano Ansisit prefers old-fashioned farming methods, favoring carabao-pulled plows over modern machinery to protect its underground home.
Friend or Foe?
According to elders, befriending a Duwende can bring great fortune. These earth spirits are known to reward their companions with food, money, precious stones, and magical items. However, there’s a catch: whatever the Duwende gives must be used immediately, or it will vanish. And once a bond is formed, it must never be broken—doing so may bring not just misfortune, but even death.
Of course, not all Duwendes are kind. The Itim na Duwende or Black Dwarves are infamous for causing harm. These tricksters often target women and children, seeking revenge on those who insult or disrespect them. In some tales, they kidnap their victims, luring them with promises of wealth in exchange for eternal companionship.
The Ugaw of Pangasinan is a small, doll-like creature known for stealthily stealing rice from granaries. Rarely seen, it can follow people unnoticed.
While commonly categorized today as monsters, the Tianak was once considered a type of Duwende by Maximo Ramos. With the form of a baby but the mind of an ancient being, the Tianak delights in trickery. In some tales, it cries beneath a tree to lure passersby. When picked up, it transforms into an old man and bursts into laughter, pleased by its deception.
Where Is the Duwende Now?
Spanish poet Federico García Lorca once wrote about duende as a powerful artistic force—something that fuels the soul of a true artist. Perhaps this same spirit is what stirs today’s Filipino creatives, reviving interest in our rich mythology. Whether it’s through literature, visual arts, or music, our modern-day storytellers keep the magic alive.
Maybe the Duwendes of our childhood imaginations are smiling now—immortalized in books, paintings, and songs. A fitting tribute to the little old men who’ve lived in our stories for centuries.
Source:
The Creatures of of the Philippine Lower Mythology by Maximo D. Ramos (1990)
The Creatures of Midnight by Maximo D. Ramos (1990)
The Lost Journal of Alejandro Pardo: Creature and Beast of Philippine Folklore by Budjette Tan, Kajo Baldisimo, David Hontiveros, Bow Guerrero and Mervin Malonzo (2016)
Philippine Ogres and Fairies by Emerito Cruz from Philippine Magazine XXIX (1933)
Dwarves and Other Nature Spirits: Their Importance to Man by Jaime T. Licauco