Jumbie
Jumbie, Jumbee or Mendo, whichever term you may know it as one thing is for certain. If you've ever spent some time in the Caribbean, you've probably heard those words before used to describe some negative force. A force to be feared and avoided at all cost. That's because a Jumbie is a mythological spirit or demon that is usually invisible to the naked eye.
The term Jumbie is mostly a generic name given to malevolent entities. Some say they roam day and night but night time is when they are most prevalent, especially in dark and gloomy places.
They are very tricky and often responsible for all sorts of mischief.Thriving on fooling their victims, babies in particular often tend to fall pray to their evil power. It is also believed that they possess humans during ceremonies called Jumbie Dances. Now, unlike ghosts that are usually represented by wispy, fog-like creatures, Jumbies casts a dark, shadowy figure that either have backward feet or no feet at all.
To combat these evil spirits, local lore suggests leaving a pair of shoes outside the house, so the Jumbie will spend the night trying to step in them with their backward or lack of feet. Similarly, leaving a heap of sand or salt would also keep them busy, as they will be compelled to count each grain. If you are coming home late, walking in backwards will prevent them from following you inside and if you are being chased by one, crossing a river may stop them. When it comes to babies, Trinidadian parents traditionally put 'jets' (black beads) on their arms, as well as 'acifecitur' (similar to camphor) to frighten Jumbies away.
The folklore behind Jumbies is a reflection of the Caribbean's complex history and ethnic make-up. It has ties to African, Amerindian, East Indian, Dutch, English and even Chinese beliefs. Mentions of evil and mischievous spirits can be found throughout their history and lore. However, the English speaking Caribbean states are where it's more commonly believed and spoken about, especially when it comes to the practitioners of Obeah. In the terms of people requesting to place a Jumbie on someone else or to remove one that has been placed on them.
In the end, there are different concepts of Jumbies from different cultures but there is the broadly accepted idea that people who were evil are destined to become instruments of evil in death (malevolent spirits). French Caribbean islands, such as Guadeloupe and Martinique, tend to speak of 'Zombi' which are ghosts, revenants or other supernatural creatures. In Jamaica, 'Duppy' is the term they used for a Jumbie. In Montserrat, a Jumbie is considered a ghost or spirit of the dead. Locals there often use drops of rum or food to satiate them and in their local folklore, the ability to shape-shift into a dog, pig or most likely a cat is something these creatures are capable of.
It is possible that all over the world there are places that speak of some form of evil spirits that wreck havoc and disrupt their, otherwise, peaceful lives. But whatever you believe, it is always wise to watch your back and keep your wits about you. You never know if the noise in the dark is a friend or foe.
