Nang Tani facts for kids
 Nang Tani female ghost
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| Grouping | Legendary creature Tutelary deity |
|---|---|
| Sub grouping | Nocturnal, undead |
| Similar creatures | Nang Ta-khian |
| Mythology | Southeast Asian folk mythology |
| Other name(s) | Phi Tani, Tani |
| Country | Thailand, Laos, Cambodia |
| Region | Southeast Asia |
| Habitat | Banana tree clumps |
Nang Tani (Thai: นางตานี; meaning "Lady of Tani") is a well-known female spirit from Thai folklore. People believe this ghost lives in wild banana trees. These special banana trees are known in Thai language as Kluai Tani (กล้วยตานี).
Nang Tani is one of many female spirits or fairies linked to trees. In Thai stories, these tree spirits are generally called Nang Mai (นางไม้), which means "Lady of the Wood." There are similar tree spirits in the folk traditions of Cambodia and Laos. Sometimes, Nang Tani is also called Phi Tani (ผีตานี), meaning "Ghost of Tani," or Phrai Tani (พรายตานี), meaning "Nymph of Tani."
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The Legend of Nang Tani
This spirit is said to live in groups of wild banana trees. She is often shown as a beautiful young woman. She wears a green traditional Thai dress. Most of the time, Phi Tani stays hidden inside the tree. But she can come out and be seen, especially on full moon nights.
Her Appearance
Nang Tani has a greenish skin tone, which helps her blend in with the banana tree. Her lips are a bright red, like a ripe ivy gourd. She has long, black, and untied hair. When she appears, she usually stands. Her feet do not touch the ground; they float slightly above it. In some newer drawings, the lower part of her body looks like a misty wisp coming from the tree trunk.
Where She Lives
The Kluai Tani banana tree is not a type that people grow for food. Because these trees are linked to spirits, people usually do not want them growing close to their homes. You won't find them inside villages. However, you can often find groups of these trees near the edges of villages or by roadsides in fields. They look like regular banana trees, but their fruits cannot be eaten. The leaves of Kluai Tani are often used in Thailand to wrap local sweets.
Offerings and Beliefs
It is thought to be bad luck to cut down trees from a group where Nang Tani lives. People often leave offerings for her. These offerings include sweets, incense sticks, and flowers. Many people also tie colorful satin cloth around the trunk of a banana tree they believe is haunted by her.
Thai stories say that this spirit might harm men, especially those who have treated women badly. However, she is mostly seen as a kind spirit. Nang Tani generally has a gentle nature. She might even give food to Buddhist monks who pass by. Amulets that show Nang Tani are very popular. They come in many different shapes and sizes.
Nang Tani in Modern Times
Nang Tani is a very popular folk spirit. She has appeared in many Thai films. For example, Nang Phrai Tani (นางพรายตานี) was a classic movie made in 1967. Other movies where the banana tree ghost plays a main part include Nang Tani (นางตานี), Tani Thi Rak (ตานีที่รัก), Mon Rak Nang Phrai Patha Nang Tani (มนต์รักนางพรายปะทะนางตานี), and the 2000 film Phrai Tani (พรายตานี). She also appears in other films, like the horror movie Nang Phrai Khanong Rak (นางพรายคะนองรัก). Tani even showed up in a TV advertisement for Sylvania light bulbs in Thailand.
In Popular Culture
This female ghost is much loved in Thai popular culture. Stories and pictures about her, sometimes funny, are common in Thai comic books and story books. Tani also has a role in the Nak animated movie.
In the PC MMORPG Ragnarok Online, Nang Tani inspired a powerful boss character. This character is called Lady Tanee and is found in the Ayothaya Dungeon.
See also
In Spanish: Nang Tani para niños
