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Dictionary category · 9 entries
Culture and traditions in Jamaican Patois
Words tied to Jamaican faith, music, ritual and history.
- BabylonThe oppressive system; (slang) the police“Babylon a come!”: The police are coming!
- DuppyGhost, spirit“Duppy know who fi frighten”: Bullies pick on those who seem weak (literally: a ghost knows who to frighten).
- Grand MarketThe Christmas Eve street market and fair“Wi a go a Grand Market tonight”: We are going to Grand Market tonight
- JahGod (in Rastafari)“Jah bless!”: God bless!
- JonkanooTraditional masquerade parade“Jonkanoo a come dung di road”: Jonkanoo is coming down the road.
- Nine nightA wake held for someone who has died“Wi a keep a nine night”: We are having a nine night
- ObeahA traditional African-derived spiritual practice“Dem seh im go to a obeah man.”: They say he went to an obeah practitioner.
- RastaA Rastafarian; the Rastafari faith“Im a Rasta, im nuh eat meat.”: He's a Rasta, he doesn't eat meat.
- Sound systemA mobile rig of speakers and the crew that runs it“Di sound system jus warm up.”: The sound system is just warming up.