Even if you have not chanced upon the other-worldly, it is hard to deny a good ghost story. Novelist SW Jaafar remarks that the demand for horror in Malaysia is incredibly high. “I feel that in our society, although we are practising Muslims, Buddhists or Christians, we still sort of want to know about the supernatural. We search, some even dabble in it,” she says.
In her debut novel The Shaman’s Circle, SW Jaafar highlights Southeast Asia’s rich tapestry of folklore by bridging legends, the occult realm, power and human desire through her characters
Living in Malaysia is akin to a vibrant mosaic — a vast and eclectic heritage inclusive of attributes that are distinctly Malaysian. For instance, it is rarer to come across someone who has not had a personal encounter with the unseen as opposed to one who has. The Southeast Asian region, in particular, is inherently “spookier” when compared to other corners of the globe. Here, belief in spirits is very much ingrained in cultural consciousness. This could be due to a myriad of reasons — remnants of animist beliefs and religious influences, just to name a couple.
To continue reading our premium articles,
Upgrade your subscription to as low as $8.33/month to gain unlimited access to ALL of our premium articles!
Have an account? Sign In
