travel_explore explore, browse, discover

folklore
Montserrat
jumbee dance
A ritual ceremony involving dance and drumming to summon spirits which then possess the participants.
folklore
Bahamas
Jamaica
junkanoo
A street parade of African Origin that links music, dance, symbols and mime-style plays.
folklore
Guyana
kanaima
A vengeful or justice dispensing spirit.
folklore
5 comments
Grenada
Trinidad & Tobago
la diablesse
Translated as ‘female devil’ from French, La Diablesse is a Caribbean Folklore Character who was born human but her dealings with the devil have made her a malicious shape-shifting spirit. To others, her poise, figure and dress make her seem beautiful. However, her hideous face is hidden by a large brimmed hat and her long dress hides the fact that one leg ends in a cow hoof- also she walks with one foot on the road and her cow's hoof in the grass at the side of the road. She can cast spells on her unsuspecting male victims whom she leads into the forest with promises of sexual favours. When in the forest, she disappears and the man, confused, lost and scared, runs around the forest until he falls into a ravine or river and dies.
folklore
5 comments
Grenada
Trinidad & Tobago
laja bless
Translated as ‘female devil’ from French, La Diablesse is a Caribbean Folklore Character who was born human but her dealings with the devil have made her a malicious shape-shifting spirit. To others, her poise, figure and dress make her seem beautiful. However, her hideous face is hidden by a large brimmed hat and her long dress hides the fact that one leg ends in a cow hoof- also she walks with one foot on the road and her cow's hoof in the grass at the side of the road. She can cast spells on her unsuspecting male victims whom she leads into the forest with promises of sexual favours. When in the forest, she disappears and the man, confused, lost and scared, runs around the forest until he falls into a ravine or river and dies.
folklore
10 comments
Haiti
loa
The spirits of Haitian Voodoo that serve as an intermediary between God and humanity.
folklore
Haiti
lwa
The spirits of Haitian Voodoo that serve as an intermediary between God and humanity.
folklore
3 comments
Haiti
l'wha
The spirits of Haitian Voodoo that serve as an intermediary between God and humanity.
folklore
Trinidad & Tobago
mama dlo
A water nymph or mermaid. Found in near the heads of rivers.
folklore
Grenada
mamadjo
A water nymph or mermaid. Found in near the heads of rivers.
folklore
2 comments
Jamaica
St. Kitts & Nevis
masquerade
A street parade of African Origin that links music, dance, symbols and mime-style plays.
folklore
US Virgin Islands
mocko jumbie
Stilt dancers in an African tradition carried over into carnival. Their costumes represent beings from the realm of the dead
folklore
2 comments
Barbados
Dominica
Trinidad & Tobago
British Virgin Isles.
US Virgin Islands
moko jumbee
Stilt dancers in an African tradition carried over into carnival. Their costumes represent beings from the realm of the dead
folklore
2 comments
Jamaica
myal
A variant of obeah that include the practices of herbal healing, spiritual possession, spirit summoning, and protection casting. It has a complex set of rituals involving singing, drumming and spirit communications.
folklore
Bahamas
nansi
A lead character in folk tales. He is depicted as a trickster and cultural hero. He is based largely on the spider gods of African lore, particularly that of the Ashanti tribe.
person
folklore
Belize
old heg
A ghost or spirit that lives as an old woman by day, but turns into a blood sucking monster by night. According to some legends, she is able to to take off her skin and put it back on.
folklore
8 comments
Guyana
Jamaica
old higue
A ghost or spirit that lives as an old woman by day, but turns into a blood sucking monster by night. According to some legends, she is able to to take off her skin and put it back on.
folklore
10 comments
Jamaica
quit quit
A small bird-based character in Ananci Stories
folklore
Jamaica
riva muma
A water nymph or mermaid. Found in near the heads of rivers.
folklore
Jamaica
rolling calf
A ghost, often considered to be a dead butcher, that manifests itself as a red eyed bull that drags heavy, clanking chains behind it as it haunts the night
folklore
4 comments
Jamaica
science
Folk magic, sorcery, and religious practices derived from Central and West African origins. The practice is often associated with evil or black magic, but also used for luck, healing and love.
folklore
Dominica
succouyant
A ghost or spirit that lives as an old woman by day, but turns into a blood sucking monster by night. According to some legends, she is able to to take off her skin and put it back on.
folklore
2 comments
St. Vincent
sweet food
Food that is given to spouse or lover to permanently keep them in the relationship.
folklore
2 comments
Belize
tall tale
Folk tale with the trickster Ananci as the lead character.
folklore
Antigua & Barbuda
Belize
tata duhendeh
A mythical short man who lives in the bush. He is thumbless and has backwards pointing feet.
folklore
7 comments
Grenada
tim tim
Folk tale with the trickster Ananci as the lead character.
folklore
Jamaica
tucuma
A common character in Ananci stories
person
folklore
Haiti
veve
A religious symbol used to represent the loa (spirits) during Vodou rituals. The symbol also acts as a beacon for the loa.
folklore
Haiti
vodou
Folk magic, sorcery, and religious practices derived from Central and West African origins. The practice is often associated with evil or black magic, but also used for luck, healing and love.
folklore
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Haiti
voodoo
Folk magic, sorcery, and religious practices derived from Central and West African origins. The practice is often associated with evil or black magic, but also used for luck, healing and love.
folklore
2 comments