Dalaketnon

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Dalaketnon (not to be confused with Dalaguetenon, the Cebuano term for natives from the city of Dalaguete), are the evil engkanto. The Dalaketnons are a race of elf-like creatures in Philippine mythology. In Visayan culture, they were believed to be handsome and beautiful beings resembling nobles and monarchs of Pre-Hispanic Philippines. They reside in Dalakit trees (also known as Balete or Dakit), hence the name Dalakitnon, meaning "from the Dalakit or Dakit tree." This mythological race exhibits sexual dimorphism, with men having light-colored skin and very dark hair, while women have bronze-brown skin and brown hair. Stories describe them with leaf-shaped, pointy ears.

In modern depictions, they are portrayed as gothic-like tall, handsome males and beautiful females. They dress fashionably, reside in mansion-like homes reminiscent of haunted houses, and attempt to integrate with mortal society. Some believe that the only way to reach their dwelling, Dalaket, is by entering Dalaket trees. These creatures are said to abduct people, bringing them to their world, where they hold feasts for their victims and compel them to eat Black Rice, putting them under their spell and making them their captives.

In contemporary portrayals, the Dalaketnon are often depicted as strikingly attractive, pale beings adorned in regal attire reminiscent of the principalía or noble class of the Spanish-occupied Philippines. They are known for hosting lavish feasts or dinners, tempting humans to partake in their food. Once a human consumes their food, they become ensnared or enslaved in the otherworldly realm. Dalaketnons were renowned for their beauty and elitism. They possess abilities such as telekinesis and corporeal duplication, allowing them to generate tangible, living copies of themselves endlessly. Their hair and eyes turn white when their powers manifest.

The Dalaketnons maintain regular contact with humans, who are unaware of their true nature as engkanto. According to folklore, the elderly believed that Dalaketnons possessed the ability to transform ordinary humans into beings like themselves, using magical black rice for this purpose. They were also thought to be mortal enemies of the benevolent engkanto. Descended from royal lineage among the evil engkantos, they served as their rulers. They were associated with being masters of various malevolent creatures such as Tiyanak, Aswang, Bal-Bal, Wak Wak, Manananggal, Amalanhig, and even Tiktik.^[1]