DNA to shed light on 'jenglot'

[heathyr]

is the creature called jenglot real? We’ll know the truth in a month. Universiti Sains Malaysia’s forensic expert Dr Zafarina Zainuddin had agreed to a request by Seekers, a paranormal group, to run a DNA test.

Syed Abdullah Al-Attas, the head of the group, claimed the creature was first found in Indonesia in 1972. A jenglot is a vampire-like creature resembling a small human with long hair. It is being shown at several museums, including the ongoing Pameran Misteri, Jin, Hantu dan Keranda at Sultan Alam Shah Museum, Shah Alam.

“We had obtained the owner’s permission to examine the creature and had them X-rayed. One showed the presence of bones in its arms,” said Syed Abdullah.

“We want to know if this creature is for real. The owner bought the jenglot in Indonesia for between RM5,000 and RM30,000.” Zafarina, who had examined the teeth of a 2,000-year-old human artifact discovered in Gua Niah, Sarawak, last year, said she needed a month to examine the jenglot.

“From the naked eye, the creatures looked like they were constructed.

“The hair looks like it was implanted while the body parts pasted together.

The teeth are not as old as the body parts. What I can do is run a DNA test on samples of the hair and bone, and see if they match any living species in the data bank. That should take a month. I hope it will shed some light on the creature.” Syed Abdullah also hoped that someone would agree to examine a Bigfoot footprint they discovered in Kota Tinggi, Johor, several months ago.

He said they had approached a few research organisations, including one in Singapore, but their efforts were hampered by high cost. “We can’t afford to carry out the test as it costs thousands of ringgit.

If there’s an expert willing to help us, we welcome it.”

ive never heard of this

[Pendekar Timur]

i already read it in our local newspaper before and i think this creature was

constructed by our local ancient medicineman.

[RachelM]

Here's an article that was on here last month.

The hair on the three jenglots showcased at Asian Arts Museum, Universiti Malaya, have been confirmed as human hair. This was the outcome of the 10-week morphology and DNA testing by Universiti Sains Malaysia’s forensic experts Dr Zafarina Zainuddin and S. Paneerchelvam, on the hair samples from the three ‘creatures’. The report — prepared by Dr Zafarina — revealed that the hair were of human origin, based on the nucleotide

sequence of its mitochondria DNA. The report also suggested that the hair on the three jenglots belonged to the same person or individuals with blood ties from the maternal side.The copy of the report, signed by Dr Zafarina, was presented by paranormal group Seekers at a Press conference yesterday.It also stated that the individuals were from the Asian region, most probably from Indonesia where the jenglots were acquired by a local, Bukhari Abdullah.Similar to the ones which were exhibited at the Pameran Misteri, Jin, Hantu dan Keranda at Muzium Sultan Alam Shah, several strands of hair were found planted upside down with traces of dye.When contacted, Dr Zafarina said they could not analyse the jenglots’ bones as their body structures could be crushed in the process.“We were also unable to test the skin as it was too dry,” she said.

“Thus, we may not get quality DNA result.” “Furthermore, chemicals may have been used to preserve the specimens which would have destroyed any DNA in the skin tissue.” Seekers founder and head investigator, Syed Abdullah Al-Attas, said: “There are tribes in Indonesia that construct the jenglots and worship them to protect their homes and plantations.” Syed Abdullah, also known as ‘Uncle’, added the specific items used to construct the jenglots could not be determined but X-ray scans showed that their limbs were attached with nails and wire.

Source

I'd say that if their limbs are attached with nails and wire they're definitely constructed.

Unless they had an accident and went to see a really incompetent doctor.

[~Onyx~]

The Jenglot Lego set should also be available this Christmas($19.95).

[coldethyl]

Jenglot? Isn't that what Mr. T does when he runs?

[~Onyx~]

Jenglot? Isn't that what Mr. T does when he runs?

The laughter started small............

[frogfish]

Jenglot? Isn't that what Mr. T does when he runs?

...My ribs hurt

[Cryticman]

The fiji mermaid? looks like it though.. just larger..

[draconic chronicler]

The fiji mermaid? looks like it though.. just larger..

These composite creatures have been skillfully made for centuries and sold to unsuspecting travelers who brought them back to the west and exhbitied them. At one time, most of the big Churches of medieval Europehas such collections to "prove" the existence of demonic monsters and dragons along with the eqully questionable relics of Saints.

[~Onyx~]

Forgive me DC, you DID just use the word "skillfully" diddn't you?

[Samael]

Jenglot? Isn't that what Mr. T does when he runs?

I'm fairly sure it's a fabrication. A very good fabrication, though.

EDIT: Rank-up. err...wheee!

Edited December 18, 2006 by Mister E.

[snuffypuffer]

It's real. Really made of other things.

[~Onyx~]

It's real. Really made of other things.

Absolutely true, crap is a real thing...no doubt.