duppy

Duppy, also spelled duppy, is a term in Caribbean folklore for a ghost or spirit of the dead. The concept is found across the Caribbean, with strong presence in Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, and Guyana. Duppies are not a single creature but a category of spirits; they may be malevolent, mischievous, protective, or ambivalent, and they are believed to linger in homes, landscapes, or near graves.

Etymology and origins: The word is associated with West African spiritual and linguistic traditions and is believed to have entered Caribbean English through enslaved Africans during the transatlantic slave trade. The exact roots are uncertain, with proposed connections to Akan, Yoruba, or Igbo terms, among others. The belief reflects broader African diaspora ideas about spirits and ancestors.

Beliefs and types: Duppies are thought to haunt places after death and may appear as a translucent figure, a ball of light, a white-clad human, a dog, or other forms. They are said to cause fear, sleep disturbances, illness, or misfortune, though some stories portray them as revenant guardians or ancestral protectors. The boundaries between benevolent and malevolent duppies vary by locale and storyteller.

Cultural practices: Communities employ various rituals to deter or appease duppies, including salt, holy water, prayer, singing, or protective charms. Doors and windows may be kept closed at night, and households might use salt lines or other rites. Tales of duppies function as cautionary narratives and appear in music, folklore, and literature.

In modern usage: The term remains common in Jamaican and Barbadian English and appears in reggae, calypso, and other Caribbean media. Notable references include Bob Marley’s song Duppy Conqueror, which uses the figure in a symbolic sense.