bunian
Bunian are a category of supernatural beings in Malay and Indonesian folklore, often described as humanlike and extraordinarily beautiful or charming. They are believed to live in a parallel, invisible realm or in secluded places such as forests, mountains, caves, and islands, moving between worlds under certain conditions. Most stories say bunian are invisible to ordinary people, though they may reveal themselves to those granted special sight or in dreams and visions. They are typically considered long‑lived and prefer to avoid direct contact with most humans.
In folklore, bunian are sometimes depicted as guardians of nature or sacred sites, and their behavior ranges
Cultural context and scholarly notes treat bunian as part of a broader set of elusive beings, such
See also: orang halus, mythological beings, folklore of Southeast Asia.