Leyak & the belief in black magic

Leyak are figures of Balinese folk belief: people said to practice black magic who can transform at night and cause illness, misfortune or death. They are not simply children's stories. For many Balinese, the possibility of sorcery remains a real part of how the world works, and the belief sits alongside religion as part of the wider understanding of good and evil, seen and unseen.

In the traditional view, a leyak looks like an ordinary person by day, but at night may take other forms, sometimes described as a floating head with trailing entrails, or an animal such as a pig. Leyak are associated with night, cemeteries and the Pura Dalem, and are led by Rangda, their queen. When illness or bad luck strikes, families may consult a balian, a traditional healer, to seek its cause and protection.

Visitors usually meet leyak through art: carved masks with long tongues and fangs, paintings and performances of the Calonarang drama. Among Balinese, the subject is approached with seriousness and some caution, and people may be reluctant to discuss it openly. It is best to listen with respect rather than treat the belief as entertainment, and to remember that it is held alongside a deep commitment to balance and protection.