sandékala

Sundanese

Etymology

Perhaps from Sanskrit संध्याकाल (saṃdhyākāla, “dusk”), from संध्या (saṃdhyā) + काल (kāla). Cognate with Indonesian senjakala.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [sandɛkala], [sanɛkala]

Noun

sandékala (Sundanese script ᮞᮔ᮪ᮓᮦᮊᮜ)

1. evening; dusk (the time when spirits begin to wander)
2. (mythology) a supernatural entity that kidnaps children playing outside at nightfall

   Mun tos magrib geura uih, bisi diculik sandékala!

   When it's sunset, go home. Otherwise, you'll be kidnapped by sandékala!

Further reading

• Maman Sumantri, Atjep Djamaludin, Achmad Patoni, R.H. Moch. Koerdie, M.O. Koesman, Epa Sjafei Adisastra. (1985) Kamus Sunda-Indonesia [Sundanese-Indonesian Dictionary] (in Indonesian), Jakarta: Agency for Language Development and Cultivation – Department of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia

• Coolsma, S (1913) Soendaneesch-Hollandsch Woordenboek (in Dutch), Leiden: A.W. Sijthoff's Uitgeversmaatschappij