dupi

English Definition

A ghost or spirit of the dead; an apparition.

Patois Definition

Likkle dupi weh walk bout a nait.

Literal Translation

ghost

Etymology

• Akan/Ga · dupi — ghost, spirit

Cultural Context

Central to Jamaican folk belief systems with West African retentions. Appears across mento, ska, and dancehall narrative traditions as a storytelling device for moral and supernatural themes.

Examples

• "Dem seh a dupi live inna di old house."

  They say a ghost lives in the old house.

Where you'd hear it

These tags describe the situations or styles of speech where this word commonly appears — for example at church, in everyday chat, or in dancehall lyrics.

• Folk & storytelling Anansi tales, proverbs, and older community storytelling.
• Storytelling Used when telling stories or passing on oral tradition.
• Mento era Linked to early Jamaican folk music before ska and reggae.