A small bird with a bright yellow underbelly. The wings and back are black with small white markings.

The Striated Heron, adults have a blue-grey back and wings, white underparts, a black cap and short yellow legs. Juveniles are browner above and streaked below.

Centipede; Any of a wide set of many legged arthropods. They are venomous, and their bites may have effects ranging from mild discomfort to life threatening. Their colouration varies with some being black or dark brown and others being orange and blue.

A medium sized terrestrial rodent found in the Jamaican forests. The species is endemic to Jamaica and related to hutias and guinea pigs. They have long tails, large heads and a squat appearance. The fur is typically brown, reddish brown, or dark brown. Previous generations of Jamaicans, particularly those of Maroon ancestry, used to hunt them for food. For many years they were thought to be extinct, but there have been a few sightings in recent times.

Small brown or beige beetles sometimes covered with black spots. Otherwise known as June bugs or May bugs.

The Sad Flycatcher (Myiarchus barbirostris) is a species of bird in the Tyrannidae family. It is endemic to Jamaica. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, and heavily degraded former forest.

A firefly; A beetle that produces a blinking yellow, orange, or red light via bioluminescence.

Stinkbug; A beetle, typically green or brown, that gives off a strong unpleasant odour when disturbed or threatened

The Masked Yellowthroat, it is 13.2 cm long and weighs 13 g. It has yellow-green upperparts, bright yellow underparts, and a mainly black bill. The adult male has a black facemask, bordered above with a grey band. The female is similar, but lacks the black mask.

The Red-billed Streamertail; A species of hummingbird in the Trochilidae family. It is endemic to Jamaica and is that country's national bird.

An edible species of armour plated catfish that grows up to 24.0 centimetres in length. Males grow to a larger average and maximum size than females and, during the reproductive season, develop fat deposits in the pectoral fin and an elongated recurved pectoral spine that often assumes a reddish colour.

The Rufous-vented Chachalaca, is a member of an ancient group of birds of the Cracidae family, which are related to the Australasian mound builders. It inhabits northeast Colombia and northern Venezuela where it is called Guacharaca, and in Tobago where it is known as the Cocrico and is the island's national bird. It is also found on Bequia and Union Island in the Grenadines where it may have been introduced.

A grackle found throughout the greater antilles as well as smaller, nearby islands. Like all quiscalus grackles, it is a rather large, gregarious bird. the 27 cm long male is glossy black with a large tail; the 24 cm long female has a smaller tail and is similar in colour but less glossy than the male. It lives largely in heavily settled areas

Eggplant. A species of nightshade grown for its edible fruit.

Otaheite apple; Pear shaped fruit with red skin and white flesh. Typically, they contain a single large seed. However, they may occasionally be seedless. The fruit is sweet and is usually eaten raw or used to make drinks.

The tree and fruit of Terminalia catappa. It is a large tree (up to 115ft in height), often grown for ornamental purposes and the shade provided by its broad leaves. Parts of the fruit are edible, including the inner seed which resembles almonds in shape and taste.

Seville orange; A thick skinned sour orange used for making beverages and marmalade.

The fruit and tree of Averrhoa bilimbi. A relative of the [w=five-finger]carambola or star fruit[/w], the tree produces an edible, green, five pomed, cucumber like fruit.

The tree and fruit of Phyllanthus acidus. The intermediate sized tree produces small, flattened, multi-lobed, berries with a high acid content. The tart yellow berries are edible raw, but most often stewed with sugar, ginger and other spices.

Mexican Coriander. Eryngium foetidum is a tropical perennial and annual herb in the family Apiaceae used for seasoning and marinating food.

The leaves and tree of Pimenta racemosa, Myrtaceae - The West Indian Bay tree, used culinarily and to produce the cologne called bay rum.

Canistel; A bright yellow ovoid fruit with a pointed tip. It is related to the sapodilla and is edible. The flesh tends to be dryer than other sapodillas and the texture is similar to that of a hardboiled egg yolk.

The seeds and plant of the climbing legume Abrus precatorius. It is primarily known for its brightly coloured seeds which are used in jewelry, art and craft, and as filling for percussion instruments and shakers. Most seeds are bright red with a black eye. However, they also occur in full red, full black, green, and white.

A tender low-growing herb commonly known as basil.

Ovoid green fruit that grows in bunches on trees up to 30m high. The fruit typically ripen during the summer. The fruit is related to the [w=chiny-guinep]lychee[/w] and have tight, thin but rigid skins. Inside the skin is the tart, tangy, or sweet pulp of the fruit covering a large seed. The pulp is usually cream or orange coloured.

Is a yellowish-green drupe 2.5-5 cm in diameter, containing a single, dark brown, nut-like seed 2.5-5 cm diameter, which is very tough to break. The inside is a dry white filling that has a vaguely sweet taste when eaten. Found on a species of [w=banga-tree]palm[/w] native to tropical regions of the Americas, from southern

Inga edulis (eng. ice-cream-bean) is a fruit native to South America. The pods contain black seeds which are embedded in a thick white juicy pulp that tastes slightly like vanilla ice cream.

A pastry filled with seasoned mashed potatoes and then fried. The dough consists of flour, water, salt, baking powder and if necessary some saffron for color. Seasonings and ingredients used in the mashed potatoes include salt, pepper, onion, cumin, garlic, occasionally green seasoning, and bandanya. The pastries are cut open before serving and garnished with a chutneys, pepper, or other sauces.

A small green fruit resembling grapes both in individual appearance, and the fact that it grows in bunches. Some fruit become tinged with red or purple as they ripen. The fruits can be quite sweet, but tend to have a salty astringent taste, particularly when not fully ripe. The plants grow in areas close to the sea.

The dorado or mahi-mahi; A blue-green and yellowish food fish.

Ziziphus Mauritania; A small round berry about 3/4 inches in diameter. The fruit is green and turns yellow as it ripens. Ripe fruit may occasionally develop a rust brown colour and a cracked texture. The unripe fruit is firm and slightly acidic, and grows softer and mushier when it ripens. The berries have a single hard seed.

A fried batter made from a mix of flour, [w=saltfish]saltfish[/w], onions, peppers and other spices

Commercially produced drinks or juice packaged in plastic bags.

This is the fruit of a medium to evergreen tree, endemic of the Antilles with a wide canopy of big, oval leaves. Its wood is hard, firm, strong and very heavy, so it is widely used to build furniture and light posts. Rounded fruit, with a sparse, sweetish pulp, are yellow-orange with creamy taste, sometimes mushy, with a delightful and delicate flavor.

The tree and fruit of Artocarpus heterophyllus. It is related to the [w=breadfruit]breadfruit[/w] and [w=breadnut]breadnut[/w]. The tree produces the worlds largest tree borne fruit - up to 80lbs and 3 feet long. Much of the fruit is starchy and fibrous. However, the seeds are surrounded by a sweet, pleasant tasting flesh. The seeds themselves are also edible after roasting or boiling.

Round, oblate, ovaloid, ellipsoidal, or conical fruit varying in size from 2 to 4 in (5-10 cm) in width. The immature fruit is hard and has a sandpaper like texture. Typically, the fruit does not ripen until it is picked or falls off the tree. When ripe, the fruit becomes soft and juicy. The flesh may be yellow, reddish brown, or dark brown with smooth or grainy textures. While some fruits may be seedless, they typically contain 3 - 10 hard black seeds in the center. The fruit is considered to be very delicious and is highly desired. The sap or gum from the tree is also a source of 'chicle' the original ingredient used to make chewing gum.

A light coloured cultivar of the [w=pomerac]Malay apple[/w]

A beverage made from the ground seeds of the cocoa plant. It is usually made hot, and heavily spiced with nutmeg, vanilla and cinnamon.

Savoury fritter made from seasoned split pea flour. Traditionally served with [w=chutney]chutney[/w].

An individual whose partner commits infidelity and does not hide the signs. The individual, however, does not leave the relationship but instead tries to please their partner, who in turn ridicules him/her.

A man who has become foolish because of excessive love for a woman.

Prone to tears. Easily upset. Cries quickly and often.

A person of East Indian ancestry. Most Caribbean people of East Indian descent can trace their roots back to indentured workers imported by the British in the 19th century after the abolition of slavery.

Person of mixed African and East Indian ancestry

Any of several species of stinging nettle plants. Contact with human skin causes great discomfort.

Derogatory term for a person of ill repute.

An expression of shock, surprise, frustration, or annoyance.

A modifier used to intensify meanings of words.

A body part intended to be the target of a vicious, brutal blow.

An insertion or substitute for arbitrary words used to add forceful emphasis to expressions.

An exclamation of shock, surprise, anger, or frustration.

A ritually prepared meal of rice intended to trap (tie) a man in a romantic relationship. Women prepare the meal by cooking rice and squatting over the steaming pot allowing the mix of condensation and bodily juices to "sweat" into the rice.

Luxury and comfort make people lazy, complacent, and take things for granted

Does anyone know the etymology, where it comes from? Backra and bekes (thaht we use in Guadalupe) are very close to, are they related?

Both Cassidy (Dictionary of Jamaican English) and Allsop (Dictionary of Caribbean English) say it's a form of the word for "white man" among the Efik people. The word is used throughout the English speaking Caribbean and among the Gullah/Geechee people of South Carolina. In modern Caribbean usage it refers to any person in authority; usually one's employer.

Bakra in Surnamese is white person from the Netherlands.

Bakra means white people. She fader dem a Bakra.

yes we say bakra in belize. it is also considered offensive to be called a backra. it's like saying your spoiled and white. mon yu de wan backra!

Bakra means white people. Suriname was a colony of the English first, before the English and Dutch signed a treaty and it was switched with the Dutch for Guyana. According to my grandma the word was already in existence, but Surinames call most white from the Netherlands bakra, they are the lnes who mostly came to the country.

Bakra actually mean (Back Raw) from when slave masters use to whip slaves over their back until the skin on their back were torn, so their skin became raw. thus came the name Bakra (Back Raw). So hence the name "Bakra Man" - Raw Back Man was the man doing the whipping. I was taught that by a wise old man about 60 years ago, I'm 68 now.

In surinam bakra just stand for white person wich started during time of colonisation of surinam then referring to the white slave owners but then became a word for the white people in general..

I remember hearing that it meant..if you're poor,you sat in the back row, thus backra

Any white person, particularly one in a position of power or authority.

A dictionary of Caribbean life. Here you can find words, definitions, pictures, proverbs and sayings.