A ghost or spirit of the dead that is feared throughout the Caribbean, especially in Jamaican culture. Duppies are believed to linger in the world of the living after death and can appear to haunt, warn, or harm. The term comes from African spiritual traditions, specifically the belief that a person has two souls: one that ascends to the afterlife, and another that remains earthbound, either temporarily or permanently. In Jamaican folklore, duppies can be benevolent or malevolent. They are often linked to dreams, strange happenings, or eerie experiences. Through the practice of obeah, a form of Afro-Caribbean spiritualism and folk magic, duppies may be summoned, controlled, or used for both protective and destructive purposes.
Patois: Mi nah guh in deh, mi hear seh duppy in deh.
English: I’m not going in there; I heard that ghosts are in there.
If you've ever chatted with Jamaicans, you might have come across the term "bun." It's a word with a lot of layers, and depending on the context, it can mean very different things. Let's explore the various meanings of "bun" in Jamaican Patois and see how this versatile term is used in everyday life.
Read more »Ghost
A supernatural entity or spirit.
Patois: Mi si a duppy inna di ole house.
English: I saw a ghost in the old house.
Ghost
A supernatural entity or spirit.
Patois: Mi fraid a di duppy inna di old house
English: I am afraid of the ghost in the old house.
ghost
A duppy is a ghost or spirit.
Patois: Yuh a duppy man
English: You are a ghost.
Ghost
Patois: Mi si a duppy last nite
English: I saw a ghost last night.
Hot Steppa , Baby mada , Bad man , Bait ,
Go beyond single definitions with the complete Jamaican Patois dictionary for real meanings, usage, and context.