What is the name of the Malaysian revenant that can detach its head to seek blood?

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Prepare for UCF ANT3026 Mummies, Zombies, and Vampires: Anthropology of the Undead Exam 2. Practice with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each offering hints and detailed explanations. Excel in your test!

The correct answer is Penanggalan, which refers to a specific type of revenant in Malaysian folklore known for its gruesome and supernatural abilities. The Penanggalan is often depicted as a woman who can detach her head from her body to fly around looking for blood, particularly the blood of pregnant women or newborns. This gruesome act represents a unique twist on traditional vampire lore, highlighting cultural beliefs surrounding mortality, femininity, and motherhood.

In contrast, the other options represent different mythological creatures from various cultures. Rakshasa are demon-like beings in Hindu mythology known for their shape-shifting abilities, but they do not typically exhibit the detached head characteristic. Strigoi are Romanian spirits similar to vampires, which may leave their graves, but do not have the specific head-separation behavior associated with the Penanggalan. Vikodlak refers to Slavic werewolf-like creatures, which focus more on shapeshifting and less on the head-separation concept. Thus, the distinct feature of the Penanggalan makes it the accurate choice in this context.