Tukama and the Duppy

by Phillis Gershator

People in the Caribbean developed a way of speaking English with a distinctive accent, rhythm, and grammar, a little like the way Granny speaks in this story. Many Caribbean words were adapted from languages other than English. For example, one West African word for ghost is dupe. The word became duppy (DUH-pee) in the Caribbean. When ghost stories were told, especially in Jamaica, these ghosts were called duppies. TUKAMA LIVED ON an island in the Caribbean Sea. In the morning, he helped his granny around the house. In the afternoon, he went out to play. He didn’t go far because of the tricky creatures Granny always talked about—hungry giants, devilish demons, and mischief-making duppies. “You stay close by the house,” Granny reminded Tukama. “And keep out of mischief!” Tukama did…

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Spider Magazine Stories, Games, Activites And Puzzles For Children And Kids (Digital) - 1 Issue, October 2024

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