| When you travel to Jamaica you will hear the resort employees as well
as the people in nearby towns using some of their own island terms. Travel
Jamaica mOn wants to help you understand that these terms are and what they
mean. |
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| Ackee - The national fruit of Jamaica. Introduced in
Jamaica from West Africa, it is the second main ingredient of Jamaica’s
national dish combination, ackee and saltfish. |
| Aloe vera - Introduced in Jamaica from West Africa this
medicinal plant is commonly known in Jamaica as "sinkle bible." |
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| Anansi - A mythical figure originated with Ghana's Asante
tribe; Anancy is as a spider known for his trickery and ability to always
get the better of those around him |
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| Arawaks - These Indians who originated in the Orinoco
region of South America were the first know inhabitants of Jamaica. |
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| bakra - term used to describe members of the ruling class
or slave master |
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| balm - a natural medicine system. Normally prescribed
by a balmist the system involves the treatment of various aliments with
various of herbs or bush as most Jamaicans call it. |
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| Bammy - a pancake shaped, deep-fried cassava bread, which
is aid to originate with the Arawaks Indians. Bammy is commonly served with
fried fish. |
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| bandulu – some kind of fraud or racket. |
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| bankra - a big basket. |
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| Bissy – cola nut. It is sometimes dried and used
as a medicine for various ailments |
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| Braata – a little extra of anything. Very similar
to the English term a Bakers Dozen |
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| Bulla - a small round brown, sugar and flour cookie |
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| Big Bwoy – a humorous lead character of the Jamaican
big bwoy (boy) stories |
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| ganja – the Jamaican name for marijuana. |
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| Higglers – Derived from the archaic verb "to
higgle" meaning to haggle or to bargain, these are the vendors and
marketers that form backbone of Jamaica's internal marketing system. Many
of these higglers board planes for Miami and return with goods for sale. |
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| Irie - Cool, good, nice. |
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| Jerk/jerking - A style for preparing pork which originated
by the Maroons. Chicken and fish can also prepared in this manner. |
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| Kumina - A religious worship ritual with Bantu origins.
The ritual involves dancing, chanting and spirit possession and prophesizing. |
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| Mahoe - national tree of Jamaica. |
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| Mento – a folk music which is responsible for the
offspring of calypso and reggae. |
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| Patty – a Jamaican baked food consisting of crusty
pastry dough with spicy ground filling. |
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| Pappy-show – something that look ridiculous. |
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| Saltfish – cod fish |
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| Samfi man – a trickster or con man. |
