Penyamun is a central figure of rumors of public construction sacriface rumors and head-hunting rumors that have been recorded in Southeastern Asia since beginning of the 20th century. The aim of the present article is to analyze the present-day form of such rumors on the island of Sumba in eastern Indonesia. All rumors discussed herein focus on the figure of penyamun, a foreigner yearning for body parts or blood of the inhabitants of Sumba.