Updated 2023
Everyone loves good folklore. From the Scottish legend of the Lochness monster to the Greek deities who reside on Mount Olympus. No matter where you end up on the globe, every country has its distinctive myths and legends.
Today, our Day Translations travel blog takes us on a journey to the Caribbean, home to a myriad of thrilling myths and legends. We’ll narrow our search to focus on three Caribbean countries and the unique folklore that has become ingrained within their culture.
Myths and Legends of the Caribbean
Jamaica – Bredda Anansi (Brother Anansi)
In Jamaica, a popular legend passed down from generation to generation is the stories of Bredda Anansi. These stories originated in West Africa, particularly among the Akan Tribe in Ghana. During the Transatlantic Slave Trade, slaves brought to Jamaica carried the tales of Anansi along with them.
Bredda Anansi takes the form of a spider and is well known for his role as a wise, greedy, cunning, and ingenious trickster. However, some tales showcased his cunning, while others made him look silly when caught. When Bredda Anansi is not sleeping, he is always up to no good. This mythical trickster entertains himself by outwitting larger opponents and playing mischievous pranks.
One such prank is the tale of hot porridge. Bredda Anansi and his friends gathered together to have a porridge drinking competition. They wanted to see who could drink hot porridge the fastest. Bredda Anansi tricked his friends by announcing that he would place his porridge outside in the sun so it would become hotter than the rest.
While the other contestants hurried and drank their hot porridge, burning themselves in the process, Bredda Anansi’s porridge was gradually becoming cooler. When the time came, he drank his porridge and won the competition, surprising all his friends.
It has been said that Bredda Anansi can be summoned with offerings of treats, liquor, and smoke. If you don’t have an exciting story to tell him, he’ll be gone in a flash. As the connoisseur of stories, Bredda Anansi enjoys a good tale.
Guyana- Ole Higue
Many myths and legends, unlike Bredda Anansi, possess a much darker history. Whether they are whispered around a campfire or shared among children on their way home from school; these stories weave their way into your nightmares and spark fear in the minds of children and adults alike.
Ole Higue is one such popular legend in Guyana. It has been said that Ole Higue is a woman who sucks the blood of unsuspecting victims as they sleep. Her favorite victims are children and babies.
During the daytime, Ole Higue blends in among the Guyanese people and is an introverted old lady. However, at night, this seemingly innocuous woman removes her wrinkled skin, places it in a mortar, and travels across the night sky as a fireball, heading to the homes of unsuspecting victims.
To enter your home she shrinks herself to fit into the keyhole. If she sucks too much blood the victim will either die and become an `Ole Higue’ themselves or die entirely, which allows Ole Higue to take their skin.
Legend has it that there are few ways to dispose of Ole Higue. The most common way is to turn the key while she is trying to enter through the keyhole. Another way is to find the skin in the mortar where it is stored and put salt and pepper in it.
Interesting, right?
Cayman Islands – May Cow
Our third and final legend brings us to the Cayman Islands located in the western Caribbean Sea. The dark legend of the May Cow has spanned generations and is said to torment travelers during the month of May.
Taking a walk alone at night may be risky because the May Cow lurks in the shadows. The May Cow is a creature described to have bright red eyes and drags a heavy chain. These creatures are supposedly spirits of people who were wicked in life, particularly butchers.
If you find yourself in the predicament of being chased by a May Cow , dropping sticks or stones on the ground will likely be your only chance at survival. Legend says that the creature will stop to count the objects you have dropped. The May Cow is also deadly afraid of being beaten with a tarred whip that is held in the left hand.
Conclusion
We hope that you found these Caribbean myths and legends as enthralling as we do! Each of these Caribbean islands has its own folklore that makes them unique. Here at Day Translations, regardless of your language and culture, we are here to help you with all your translation needs.
We are devoted to helping clients worldwide with our professional, seamless, human-powered translations suitable for any field. We’ve got your back.