The pocong is a ghost from Indonesian folklore, said to rise from the grave when burial rituals are incomplete. In Islamic tradition, the dead are wrapped in a white shroud called a kain kafan, tied at the head, neck, and feet. If these bindings aren’t released after 40 days, the soul becomes trapped. The pocong then emerges—still bound—by hopping out of the grave. Some versions say it appears just to scare people as a cry for help. Others describe it as vengeful, attacking or suffocating its victims at night. It’s believed the pocong cannot rest until someone unties its shroud, releasing the spirit. Though sightings are most common in Central and East Java, its legend is known throughout Indonesia.
