As an older Jamaican, I grew up as a child in the 60s-70s in rural Trelawny. Back then the Older Jamaicans sounded more African, danced and beat drums, were more active in gatherings of Singing groups with older Afro-Jamaicans which went on all night until daybreak, 9Night Singing and dance at grave diggings of regular singings on weekends, Our culture and people did way more activities and African traditions back then, than these recent generations of African-Jamaicans. Most of our African traditions and language died out with the older generations of Jamaicans. However, there are more words to be added to this list: ie............. kumina, abeng, patu / patoo, laba laba, guh weh nuh gal, raga-raga, cuh yah! cuh deh! tun yu rull, cruffy-cruffy, old cruff, guh deh suh! unnu nyam tu much, pacasa & bammi, nyami-nyami & licki-licki nyam an guweh, susumba/susumber, yaba pot, calabash & maatta unnu tu nuff, putti-putti & putt-putt, junkanoo / jonkonnu pukkamina, pocomania, pickni/pickney/picinani weh yu deh guh? duppy deh paah yu? weh mek yu tan su? dutty gal, chigga-foot, tan panni long, red igbo, dranga dranga, fasi fasi kulu kulu, kunu munu, a weh yu de guh? a wah dat deh? butu gal, guweh fran yahso, kaba kaba, chaka chaka, guzum, yampi, juju, junjo, cucube maka juk yu, yu nash/tush/rump/batty so big, gwaan weh yuh de guh! And.........so on and so forth! So many many African sayings, phrases, words and practices died out with the older ones who passed on. That's why Ms Louise Bennett-Coverly was trying her best to keep them alive for the preservation of our African heritage to pass them on to our posterity. Nevertheless, this is how most Afro-Jamaicans used to communicate with each other back in the day, using a lot more of our African-centric words/phrases in our language. Especially, those in rural Jamaica. Many of our dishes were also named with words used by our African ancestors in Jamaica. This was our Roots until....... unfortunately, the Oldest-African-Jamaican people died out. But we still have a small remnant remaining in our dialect today.
@@cindysworldoftruth6241 You want those words to be African because you were told that.. none of those elders in Jamaica claimed their ancestors were from Africa! They all had double barrels Hebrew names.. what we called old people names in Jamaica. Names like Adasha, Ezekiel, Maybell Adina, Phineas, Mostly biblical names because their ancestors of Sephardic Jews and Moors from Spain. The Maroons of Jamaica were not Africans that ran away but Muslim Moors from Spain. Not one African were brought to Jamaica.
@@cindysworldoftruth6241 You want those words to be African because you were told that.. none of those elders in Jamaica claimed their ancestors were from Africa! They all had double barrels Hebrew names.. what we called old people names in Jamaica. Names like Adasha, Ezekiel, Maybell Adina, Phineas, Mostly biblical names because their ancestors of Sephardic Jews and Moors from Spain. Not one African were brought to Jamaica.
@@SDBOGLE Hi can you tell me more about this because my father practiced daily Jewish rituals including food habits but more importantly he believed he was Jewish from the East African region and I have no proof that is where it came from.
@@coralscrafts7258 Get yourself this book, Jews and Muslim in British Colonial America by Elizabeth Caldwell Hirschman and Donald N yates.. Slavery was a religious war and nothing to do with race. The was was between The Roman Catholic Empire of Spain vs Muslim Moors and Sephardic Jews of Spain. In England the Protestant Cromwell and others after him waged a war with irish catholics and Scottis Jacobite Highlanders, which upon their defeat, were transported to the sugar plantations and sold to Scottish merchants,and Plantation owners who were also Sephardic Jews. Most enslaved people were either Irish Catholics, Scottish Catholics and Native people of the West Indies and America not Africans.. No African languages existing in any of the colonies.
@@theresadavidsson7959 I loved Ghana, but only visited for about two weeks. God willing, I will visit again one day. My DNA test shows that some of my ancestors were from the region now called Ghana.
Greetings my Sister. I appreciate your comment as I am a Carribean decendant living in Canada. I love the study of linguistics as it pertains to connecting Carribean dialects with our African ancestors. You said "most" in regard to the words the Sister connected to Twi. For my learning purposes and others, can you say which words were not aligned with Twi and if you know, do they connect with other African languages?
Thank you so much for this I was born in Jamaica but grew up in the Uk, my parents and the extended Jamaican community did and still use most of the words you mentioned ( especially Ginal man ) some time ago I went to Ghana on a cultural trip ago and can see the connection…. We must not forget our history. ❤
Them words have nothing to do with Africa. Nothing. It is so sad the desperation in Jamaicans trying to be Africans. It is so sad. No wonder the children are so confused.
In London, we use SO MANY Jamaican words! Ginals is what stood out the most! My father is Jamaican and i give thanks for my connection to such wonderful people! I might just go and make some blue draws today
You did very well, I am an Akan and the Akan people live in Ghana. (The language of the Akan is Twi) There are other Twi speakers who live in Ivory Coast and Benin inside Nigeria. I recognize all your 10 words. The first one written as 'Ananse' and your pronunciation is perfect. I was born in the yam growing area in Ghana and I know the Afu yam, it almost extinct as farmers are not cultivating it anymore because is not commercially viable. Kokobe is very old word, and has been replaced by Kwata. You were perfect with Ananse, Bafane, Bese, Dokuno and Mumu. Notice I wrote them in Akan Twi. I am looking forward to your next part. I know that most Africans transported to Jamaica comes from the Akan tribe. In Akan when we say Jama = It seems or looks or appears like. It is the word I use often Akan and Yaka = We are stocked, we cannot go back (Put together, it is 'Gyama Yaka" in Akan) All the Akan tribes use these two words to mean the same. I watched a video sometime by a Jamaican Gentleman that drew my attention to this fact. (I give credit to him). When our people were there, they kept saying Gyama Yaka often that they named them Gyama Yaka people (Jamaica) We don't have J or V in the Akan alphabet)
@user-es4ii5vh4 Very informative comment which I truly enjoyed reading. As regards the naming of Jamaica, I've always maintained that your explanation makes a lot more sense phonetically than the earlier inhabitants 'Xaymaca" name, and I'm not trying to besmirch their culture and contribution. Sorry to hear that Afu is no longer popular in Ghana, it is a long standing and long lived favourite in Jamaica, both the yellow and white varieties. Makes you reflect wistfully, what a blessing that our ancestors had the presence of mind, to gather and store this wonderful tuber on their persons, even while the barbarian enslaver was doing their utmost to destroy lives. Finally, I learned from a video on this fine teaching platform YT, that the barbarian enslavers the British, established a museum in Liverpool, England, dedicated to retaining accurate records about African enslavement. Amazing as that info is to me, it is very interesting to learn that the vast majority of Africans transported to Jamaica, were from the Gold Coast/Ghana. Additionally, because the British had little desire to settle in Jamaica permanently, as they did in America and elsewhere, it suited their purposes to retain and exploit in Jamaica, the Africans who continuously rebelled and agitated for their freedom. Then export to North America, and larger land mass in general, the more sedate enslaved who accepted their fate, and were thus less of a threat to settler families. There is so much more to share, but this is already too long. Peace and love.
Gyama translates as PERHAPS Whilst Y'aka translates as WE'RE STUCK. So Jamaica in Akan twi means PERHAPS WE'RE STUCK. Aha also means HERE in akan twi. Therefore, Perhaps we're Stuck Here translates as Gyama y'aka aha Or Gyama y'aka ha.
Thank you for sharing. In Belize, we use or have used most of these words. I'm curious: Is your dukunu sweet or salty? The dukunu/dokuno in Belize is made the same way she mentioned, except we wrap meat inside and are more salty than sweet. So it's not a dessert as far as I know. This is causing me to think of more words.
Nice to hear tour comments about these words. I AM FROM Suriname and I recognize a few words: 1) a Nansi = written 'Anansi is the all wise spider. 2) Dookunu. I know this word too: it's a sweet treat rapped-up in plantain leaves. 3) Cocobay= leprosy: it sound the same(kokobe).
Thank you, very informative. It make me feel closer to my African heritage ( I am Jamaican) but fills me with regret for not being able to pass this down to my children successfully. I'm still trying
The last one killed it (MUMU) meaning senseless😮 original Nigerians talk, cause I am. And that can't die in Naija😅🗣️👂🏿Ah jus 1 people❤✊🏾👊🏿Peculiar People.
I have heard Jamaican say *Pikni* this mean a child in Nigerian pigin/broken English. Nigerians however call it differently as *Pickin* which mean a child or my Pickin which means my child. In the same vein, i have heard in Bob Marley song "throw mi corn, mi no corn no fowl, ku ku ku" Basically the song is talking about how you call fowls/chickens in the Yoruba language of Nigeria, where their owners bait them with corn in order to catch them, they throw them corns and call out ku ku ku and the chickens come running to their owners. Bob Marley actually was saying in the song that he's not a fowl and no one should throw corn at him and call ku ku ku. When i heard the song for the first time i saw the connection between the Yorubas and the Jamaicans culture/language. I hope my explanation is helpful.
I love everything about this! I'm Haitian and we of course also have a lot of connections with African languages in terms of the vocabulary and also the syntax and grammar. In this video, we have in common the dessert/breakfast Doukounou. Also the word kokobe which means more infirmed/underdeveloped. We have many other words. When I watch African Nollywood movies, I hear them say "kobo" for money and I realize that's we get the Kreyòl word "kòb." Also our expressions come from the motherland. When exclaiming about something we'll say, "Hey!!!" (stretched out like Heeeeeey). It means something more and has more emphasis when repeated 2, 3, or even 4 times. Also, the way we say my--mwen. In Nigeria, they'll say for example, "Obi'm" "My Obi. Haitians will say the same, "Mika'm" "My Mika." And in the northern part of Haiti where my father's family is from, they use the 'm possessive at the end of non vowel words unlike at other parts of Haiti. For example, in places in the north of Haiti like Gros Morne and Cap Haitien (Okay), they'll say "pitan'm, grann'm where as other regions will say piti mwen, grann mwen for my child and my grandmother.
@nalidabesson it is just amazing to me how you are all falling over the Africans. The bible says, "Because of a lack of knowledge my people perish." If you knew who it is you are seeking to maintain strong links with, you wouldn't. Listen, the words Jamaica use are down to their own creative, nothing to do with Africa. Those people who are desperate to be Africans. Please hurry up and go back over there. When you do, I hope it is no return flight. Because those vile people will ensure you really understand Africa.
So many Haitians are Ashanti origins of Ghana. Some has even found their source from here. And our King, Osei Tutu II sometimes visit his people over there. Doukounou is a typical Ashanti dialect and it is pronounced "Dokono" in Ashanti. Big ups, sweet sister, greetings from Ghana, Kumasi, Ashanti's capital. VWP ❤
Great effort to remember and connect to your native African roots. Mother Africa is the cradle and it is good to see you helping to connect the blurred links.
We have no Africa roots. We were thrown away cut off. Have you all not got any shame? Do you see Africans swarninh over Jamaicans? Let me tell you they hate Jamaicans?
@dragonrudeboy well! The greatest thing in life is to know. Nothing is wrong with the continent. They are not a very nice bunch. They are wolves in sheep clothing. How many of them apologise for selling their own into slavery. What you will see them do is *blame* others and be loud to drown the voice, exposing them of that hypocrisy. Jamaica is an independent nation, and we ought to celebrate the gifts in us instead of apportioning it to a nation that has no love and / or substance. Jamaicans are not Africans. *Out of Many We Are One People* That is what being Jamaican means. This latest Africa worship needs to end.
Ah! Afu is also a word used by a tribe in Nigeria known as the EFIKS. It also represents a food product made out of boiled yam and cassava. It is pounded into a dough-like consistency and eaten with a vegetable sauce. A lot of Jamaicans came from the city of Calabar in Nigeria, where Efik is the primary language. There's even a Calabar High School in Kingston, Jamaica, in recognition of that history. Much love 💝💕 me bredren inma yard. Love 💝 from Calabar, Nigeria! Peace out ✌️!
Also, we are heavily Igbo as well, the Trans Atlantic Data Base shows 5 different tribes from Nigeria came to Jamaica, Ibibbio, igbo, Fulani , Calabar and small amount of Yoruba. I have igbo friends and I heard them use words like us, for example wee wi means to pee, mu mu and many more. Also their foods are very similar, not to mention behaviour, we are really connected
What a wonderful vido. I have many jamaican friends and many african friends and i see a lot of similarities. The nature of jamaicans is very similar to the nature of africans. The calm disposition and the common sense is similar. When i say calm i mean as long as nobody annoys them lol.
Absolutely brilliant! Thanks so much! We appreciate this informative video, especially how the essence of African culture, has been preserved in Jamaica, and throughout the, Caribbean culture.
1. Nyam Origin: Akan (Twi) Meaning: To eat Usage: "Mi a go nyam some food." (I am going to eat some food.) 2. Duppy Origin: Akan (Twi) Meaning: Ghost or spirit Usage: "Mi see one duppy last night." (I saw a ghost last night.) 3. Pikney Origin: Ibibio/Efik (Bikini) Meaning: Child Usage: "Di pikney dem a play." (The children are playing.) 4. Jook Origin: Wolof Meaning: To stab or poke Usage: "Him jook mi wid di needle." (He poked me with the needle.) 5. Bashment Origin: Akan (Bɛsɛm) Meaning: A lively party or dance Usage: "Di bashment was wicked last night!" (The party was amazing last night!) 6. Kumina Origin: Kongo (Kikongo) Meaning: A spiritual dance or ritual Usage: "Dem a keep Kumina fi di ancestors." (They are holding a Kumina ceremony for the ancestors.) 7. Zemi Origin: Igbo Meaning: A spiritual force or idol Usage: "Di Zemi dem protect di house." (The spiritual forces protect the house.) 8. Breda Origin: Akan (Bɔbra) Meaning: Brother (used to refer to a close friend or sibling) Usage: "Wah gwaan, breda?" (What's up, brother?) 9. Oonuh Origin: Yoruba (Unu) Meaning: You (plural) Usage: "Oonuh fi come here now!" (You all should come here now!) 10. Mumu Origin: Hausa Meaning: Foolish or dumb Usage: "Him mumu, him nuh know wah him a do." (He's foolish, he doesn't know what he's doing.) 11. Tabanka Origin: Yoruba Meaning: Heartbreak or unrequited love Usage: "Di man a suffer from tabanka." (The man is suffering from heartbreak.) 12. Susu Origin: Akan (Twi) Meaning: Gossip Usage: "Mi hear dem a susu bout yuh." (I hear they are gossiping about you.) 13. Toto Origin: Wolof Meaning: Female genitalia (vulgar) Usage: "Mi nah talk bout dat toto business." (I’m not talking about that vulgar business.) 14. Kaba Origin: Yoruba Meaning: A type of traditional dress Usage: "She wear kaba to di church service." (She wore a traditional dress to the church service.) 15. Wanga Origin: Kongo (Kikongo) Meaning: A charm or spell Usage: "Him use wanga fi protect himself." (He used a charm to protect himself.) 16. Dutty Origin: Akan (Du) Meaning: Dirty Usage: "Di floor dutty, clean it up." (The floor is dirty, clean it up.) 17. Obeah Origin: Akan (Obayi) Meaning: A type of folk magic or sorcery Usage: "Dem a practice obeah fi hurt him." (They are practicing sorcery to harm him.) 18. Guzu Origin: Kikongo Meaning: Magic, often malevolent Usage: "Him a work guzu pon mi." (He is casting spells on me.) 19. Tambu Origin: Mandinka Meaning: Drum (related to a type of dance or music) Usage: "Di tambu beat strong inna di dance." (The drum beat is strong in the dance.) 20. Anansi Origin: Akan (Ananse) Meaning: A trickster figure in folklore Usage: "Yuh cyaan trust him, him a Anansi." (You can't trust him, he's a trickster.)
Actually "Pickney" is not African. It is Spanish . Remember that Jamaica was a Spanish Colony before it was British. .The original word in Spanish is pequeños which means small ones or children. Even today Hispanics use the word pequeños to refer to children. Pequeños got picked up by the slaves and it morphed into Pikineys (which is still used sometimes and not just by Jamaicans). That later got shortened and became Pickney. When the British took over Jamaica, most of the slave owners fled the island and left the slaves. So most of the abandoned slaves spoke a broken form of Spanish and Pickiney became a part of the language of all Jamaicans.
Cocobay - growing up in Guyana, I definitely heard that word used to describe leprosy (or any abnormality, deformity for that matter). As in “why ee mout karna white suh, look like ee gah cocobay”
Hi. I'm a first generation English born of Jamaican parents❤🇯🇲. My mother didnt speak strong patois but always taught us many words and all about the history of patois. Some spell it phonetically as "Patwa" but i grew up knowing the French spelling "patois" pronounced the same way. Great informative video thank you Sista 🖤❤💛💚🇯🇲👊🏽
You find it interesting that Jamaicans do not chose to celebrate Jamaicans creative. But rather apportion to people who have no business being mentioned.
Ghanian slaves were brought to Jamaica and named maroons. Akan /Ashanti twi language comes from Ghana. Patois is broken down from the Twi language. I am so grateful that I know the intertwining of both Twi and Patois.
Cunu munu, yabba, pickiny or pickney are some other words of African origin I learnt. So much more to learn. Thanks for highlighting that part of our African Heritage.
Great video. Thanks for preserving our African ancestry. I have an interesting story. About 30 years ago we lived in the north of England. An African brother who was married to the daughter of one of our Jamaican church sisters was preaching that Sabbath. I believe he was from Sierra Leone - geographically regional to Ghana and Nigeria. He gave a children’s story prior to the main sermon. It was an anansi story and one I had heard as a child growing up. Naturally, I assumed that his wife was diligent about preserving her heritage in the mixed matrimonial environment and so at lunch I asked him if he had been to Jamaica. He said “no”. Then I asked him if his wife told him the story, he said “no”. So a little confused, I asked “so where did you learn the stories from? He said “these are the stories we tell in our country. We spent pretty much the rest of lunch comparing stories and the ones he related to me were pretty much the way I was told them growing up as a young man. Furthermore, we started to compare words and discovered that many of the words are the ones we use in patois today. As a young man, I was lead to believe that patois was just bad English but here I realized that it was a combination of the African and English languages as interpreted and hybridized by the slaves. Jamaicans that moved the the UK in the 60s tried to ditch the language not because they were ashamed but because it made them stand out and not fit in. This was a mistake but the patois still survives in the UK. In fact I thought a good friend of mine was born in Jamaica his accent was so strong. Imagine my shock when he told me ‘a Gloucester mi baaan’. (Gloucester is in the English west country). Anyway, it was a light bulb moment for me. There is nothing so stabilizing as knowing and understanding your roots - good or bad. Kudos to you for educating us all.
@@victorallen3336 thank you so much for sharing this. Your story just confirms what this video is about....the Caribbean has strong similarities to Africa because of the enslaved who were brought here.
@@victorallen3336 Wonderful comment. I am delighted to hear both stories. I try to pass Anansi stories to my son and to the children of my cousins who were born in the USA.
Just to let you know many of what was enslaved & free Africans lived and born in Jamaican that rebelled against the British were shipped out to nova Scotia & also Sierra Leone. Quite a number sierra Leone's have descendants that were born in Jamaica and to this day you meet plenty sierra Leone that speak krio and utter words eg "pitney- pikany that's familiar to any old time Jamaican .
I am very familiar, with these words and used to use them. I am one of those ancesral person. Your video is so interesting. I enjoyed it. Keep doing these historical videos because our young generation has no clue of there heritage especially now when we are moving away from community meeting s,elder are not being able to pass on our rich history.
Nancy is "Ananse," the con man, in the Akan ( Ghana) stories that teach morals and lessons in life. The full name is KWAKU (Born on Wednesday ) ANANSE. His wife is called OKONORE YAA, and their son called NTIKUMA. Thanks for whipping up the nostalgic momories of village life when we used to sit by the fire at night, to listen to stories from our parents and grand parents.
The truth about patois hasn't been told .Jamaicans are like overly emotional kids .You have to tell them what they want to hear. Miss Louis wishes shouldn't sentence Jamaica to an inarticulate society. A society where the people's deportment mimics its articulation . It can't be coincidence that Jamaicans who have good command of the English language will make 3× more in their life time than Jamaicans who only speak patois . The society has chosen "kulcha" over affluence ./Our ancestors did the best they could with the little they had .It was for us to evolve ,not recreate our ancestors experience. Jamaica don't even understand the economical difference language brings to a society.( We are too busy trying to be the cool kids)Just ask Malaysia..........
Interesting! In Antigua we use cocobay for leprosy. We also use katta, dukana, bassa-bassa, bafan, mutual, poko-poko and many more. Some phrases are clearly derivatives of African phrases. In Nigerian movies I hear them say "water more than garri" but in Antigua we say " watta more dan flour"! to mean things brown/hard
@@DorraineReidJAMAICANS LIKE YOURSELF WILL PERPETUALLY TELL THOSE LIES IN EFFORTS OF DENYING THE INARTICULATE POPULATION WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY ENGINEERED . WE ALL REALISE 'THE STRUGGLES OF AVERAGE JAMAICAN TO CONDUCT ANY SORT OF INTELLIGENT CONVERSATION ,YET WE CHOOSE TO SELL THIS CULTURE THAT IS SOOOO RICH THAT IT MAKES JAMAICA POOR AND ONLY GOOD FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES. WHAT PEOPLE WOULD ACCEPT AN UNSTRUCTURED ĎIALECT FOR A NATIONAL LANGUAGE 🤔. ITS TIME JAMAICA EVOLVE AND STOP TRYING TO BE THE COOL KID .BEING THE COOL KID HAS DONE NOTHING FOR JAMAICA.!!!!!!!
Go and read Jamaican history books. Those words are Jamaican own creativity a blend of English Maroons American indians, Jamaican Indians nothing to do with that nasty place who sold all Jamaicans into slavery. Judas the lot.
As a child growing up in the UK I used to hear those words alot and it resignate with me until this day I don't hear the younger Generation using it anymore this is something the older generation should In still in them so they don't lose their heritage ❤❤❤❤🇯🇲
Linguistically or phonetically? That is why it is called Patois, indicating a mixture between two or more languages, and those with which is a “Contact” language. It won’t be declared an African language.
I left Jamaica for the U.S. when I was 6. I am now 69 but I remember hearing my, mother and my grandmother using many of the words you listed. Like you I just thought they were Jamaican words I never gave any thought that they might be from our African heritage. Thanks for doing this
You didn't give any thought because they are Jamaican words. There is a group of people willing to erase our history and spin Africa in a good light. Then they go on with this blind promotion of Africa. What this does is create a worship of Africa and promote the false sense that we have nothing for ourselves. We must continue to be independent of Africa. This idealisation of Africa must stop.
@@evedropps1801 I am sorry that you take such a negative attitude towards our shared African heritage. That being said we must never forget where we came from or the people and land that suffered and is still suffering. You are right a blind “worship” of Africa or anything for that matter is not useful, but remembering and honoring our ancestry is something we will always need. I wish you well my friend.
@patrickhaye8882 The most positive thing from Africa is Nelson Mandela. I have not applied any negativity to it. I am calling it as I see it. Truth no 1, all life forms originated from Africa. The blind worship is my problem. Ignoring that these people do not genuinely like Jamaicans is snother.I have seen people destroyed by these people. Jamaicans, by the way. Innocently! Truth 2. Jamaicans are not Africans. It is geographically impossible and biologically wishful thinking and silly. Truth 3, the reason people ended up in Jamaica,is quite simply because we were Africa's rejects. They did not want us in Africa.They wanted from us that which can give them more for their Tribes. They betray us, they did that and you lot worshiping these wikeds and. They stand by and just lap it up the undeserving praises. So what is this * nonsensical video* about? People host these nonsense videos, constantly surrendering who we are as Jamaicans for an ideology and end being the vehicle of confusion for young especially black men. You are Jamaican. If you were born there. However, there are splintering of other cultures, including Africa. What is this nonsense this woman and the people on here talking about? Man, you all get a grip of the truth. Why couldn't the video be presented to say we Jamaicans are creative? Look at the words we have arrived at. We apportion that discovery to the Africans who sold us into slavery! I guarantee all of you on here if , push cone to shove, they will do the same again. Because it is simply all about them. It is nice that Jamaicans are welcoming, but we must stop being foolish around this ancestory rubbish. Do you see African doing that? They will happily let you know you are slave baby! They will happily let you know you are nothing they were allowed to disrespect Jamaicans because of these nonsense arguments. They sell us. As far as I am concerned, that must be it! We need to have some pride in ourselves.
Africa 🌍 is a big continent, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, don't know why black people always say Africa instead of Ghana, Togo, Kenya, ivory coast etc,
I have been to Senegal 6 or 7 times staying or visiting Casamance, Ziguichor, Dakar, Cape Skirring and Goree Island. I think you would have recognised Mende though in this video not mentioned as one of her ten words but mentioned alongside the 10th word.
I am originally from St. Vincent, we use most of these words, but we say cashie instead of cash. I taught my white English neighbours the word kaba kaba and the meaning
Hi Dorraine! I vividly remember hearing the older folks using such words as "mumu,country bubu,anancy,and cocobay,growing up in New Town St.Kitts. Keep up the good works,our younger generation will reward you much!
I am from Jamaica and I have not been back there for twenty years and I am familiar with all the the words and their meaning and you are correct with the words and meaning. I name my doughter Kesi.
Foolish person selling out Jamaica at the drop of an hat. Hope you are sufficiently ashame. When have you heard Africans behaving nicely towards Jamaicans. Africans do not like Jamaicans. I have seen the stories. These blind loyalty to a people who wanted us murdered. I do not understand.
@AmnfoEvans Not only Ashantis but broader Akan dialects. They all use Kese for elder, first twin OR typical surname depending on the family background.
Thank you, this is one of my favorite subjects. I have already traced my roots back to the Akan people, so my name would be Kofi, African male child born on a Friday
Please add “Chaka Chaka” to the list. I heard a Tiler in Ghana speaking in Ewe to his apprentice and use the term when he was dissatisfied with his work. When I asked him if it meant the young man was not doing it properly he said yes. We use to use that term in Jamaica in the same context.
This was a really good video. I was familiar with a few of the words but not most. I learned a while ago that the words Nyam, Obeah, Unu and duppy are of west African origins. People I told all believed they were made up words or slang. They are actual African words or at least derivatives. Also I learned that the term Redibo (not sure how it spell), what people used to call light skin people, derived from red "Eboh" / "Igbo" which is a certain tribe from Nigeria. Possibly the term they use in America for light skin people - Red bone is of the same origins too.
Thank you sista peace and blessings, nice content. I was born in Surinam and we have most of the words that you are talking about. Anansi ia also our spider and we have Anansi tori too, we have dookuun, we know kokobeh too, so yeah we ar all African Pickni, that word pikini we use it also in Surinam. But we also have words like; unu for us and plural you. we have the word djasoh for here, as in mi deh djasoh; I am here. And in our Winti spirituality we got alot of Akan words, Anana= de great one, so we sing Dasho Anana, as in mi daase I give thanks. O nyankopon one of the names of God. Asaase mother earth or Aisa. And the list goes on. I now live in the Gambia and I now also find lots of Wolof and Mandinka words in our language. So yh we are African pickni mixed with almost all the West-African tribes. I uunderstand the Nigerians when they speak because we got lots of their words also, like; Sabi for knowing, soso for only or just that as in nah soso up you can go + is only up you can go... and so forth. Thanks for your content. Peace and blessings
If you are from Surinam, then your root is from Ashanti in Ghana. The Asantehene, the King of Ashanti Kingdom sometimes use to visit his people in Surinam. In Ashanti dialect we have some words like "ananse, ananse tori which is ananse's fiction stories, dokono, ono which means you or he, me daase nana which means thank you my king or queen. asaasa mother earth". Big up dear. VWP ❤️
As an adult of Jamaican heritage, it was wonderful to hear that many of their word usage originates from African regions! Thkq for this delight video & thkq (especially) for using the patwa tongue of my parents... I loved hearing you speak! BIG UP to JAMAICA from the UK 👏🏽💯😉🇯🇲
I’m familiar with all of them!! I’m not surprised of the connection or the origin as research shows that most Jamaicans are from the Igbo!!!Luv mi Roots…Gold Coast - Africa!!!!Thanks for sharing!
This is telling us of our true heritage. This is why it hurts me so much when we deny our heritage. The older generation tends to deny our African heritage….they are quick to tell you…”mi a Jamaican….mi a nu Africa.” Then a whole chapter starts about one’s heritage.
You’re on point. I grew up in Claremont, St. Ann and use to hear the older women speak these words whether in a slang or complete sentences. Some of these words are hurtful, but that’s how it was back then. Thanks for the memories
On point with what. You mean you bought in to that nonsense! It is Jamaicans creativity. I am tired of this false promotion of a country who fundamentally hate Jamaicans. You are can continue with this false worship Africa. You will reap the destruction you are sowing.
Jah know, you’re such a beautiful woman, my dear, it doesn’t matter how much, we tried or they tried, it is undeniable who we’re, not even our blood can’t be watered down, all the lies told to us, about Christopher come buss us, noticed we were not taught about Marcus Garvey, or any of our great Africans ancestors, it was deliberately done to keep us in ignorance, but guess what? It only appears to work! But goodness to individuals such as you, for spreading the word, Eurocentric politics and religion has done its damage, it’s time for healing and reveling ourselves, of course knowledge is all around us, all the time, it’s about time, for each of us to recognized, our potential, by collaborating our every bits and pieces, going forward, towards growth and development, collective action is the best and only way forward One love my sister, your brother from another mother, living in Minneapolis
Love your content, I grew up hearing and using some of these words thinking that we Jamaicans just made them up,glad to know they’re actual words of my ancestors.
Thank you for your research. I have heard and have used these words, just thinking it's just what we say in Jamaica. I am glad to know of its roots. Much respect 🫶🏿💜🇯🇲🇯🇲
As an older Jamaican, I grew up as a child in the 60s-70s in rural Trelawny. Back then the Older Jamaicans sounded more African, danced and beat drums, were more active in gatherings of Singing groups with older Afro-Jamaicans which went on all night until daybreak, 9Night Singing and dance at grave diggings of regular singings on weekends, Our culture and people did way more activities and African traditions back then, than these recent generations of African-Jamaicans. Most of our African traditions and language died out with the older generations of Jamaicans.
However, there are more words to be added to this list: ie.............
kumina, abeng,
patu / patoo,
laba laba,
guh weh nuh gal,
raga-raga,
cuh yah!
cuh deh!
tun yu rull,
cruffy-cruffy,
old cruff,
guh deh suh!
unnu nyam tu much,
pacasa & bammi,
nyami-nyami & licki-licki
nyam an guweh,
susumba/susumber,
yaba pot, calabash & maatta
unnu tu nuff,
putti-putti & putt-putt,
junkanoo / jonkonnu
pukkamina, pocomania,
pickni/pickney/picinani weh yu deh guh?
duppy deh paah yu?
weh mek yu tan su?
dutty gal,
chigga-foot,
tan panni long,
red igbo,
dranga dranga,
fasi fasi
kulu kulu,
kunu munu,
a weh yu de guh?
a wah dat deh?
butu gal,
guweh fran yahso,
kaba kaba,
chaka chaka,
guzum,
yampi,
juju, junjo, cucube
maka juk yu,
yu nash/tush/rump/batty so big,
gwaan weh yuh de guh!
And.........so on and so forth!
So many many African sayings, phrases, words and practices died out with the older ones who passed on.
That's why Ms Louise Bennett-Coverly was trying her best to keep them alive for the preservation of our African heritage to pass them on to our posterity.
Nevertheless, this is how most
Afro-Jamaicans used to communicate with each other back in the day, using a lot more of our African-centric words/phrases in our language. Especially, those in rural Jamaica. Many of our dishes were also named with words used by our African ancestors in Jamaica. This was our Roots until....... unfortunately, the Oldest-African-Jamaican people died out. But we still have a small remnant remaining in our dialect today.
@@cindysworldoftruth6241
You want those words to be African because you were told that.. none of those elders in Jamaica claimed their ancestors were from Africa! They all had double barrels Hebrew names.. what we called old people names in Jamaica. Names like Adasha, Ezekiel, Maybell Adina, Phineas,
Mostly biblical names because their ancestors of Sephardic Jews and Moors from Spain. The Maroons of Jamaica were not Africans that ran away but Muslim Moors from Spain. Not one African were brought to Jamaica.
@@cindysworldoftruth6241
You want those words to be African because you were told that.. none of those elders in Jamaica claimed their ancestors were from Africa! They all had double barrels Hebrew names.. what we called old people names in Jamaica. Names like Adasha, Ezekiel, Maybell Adina, Phineas,
Mostly biblical names because their ancestors of Sephardic Jews and Moors from Spain. Not one African were brought to Jamaica.
@@SDBOGLE Hi can you tell me more about this because my father practiced daily Jewish rituals including food habits but more importantly he believed he was Jewish from the East African region and I have no proof that is where it came from.
@@coralscrafts7258 Get yourself this book, Jews and Muslim in British Colonial America by Elizabeth Caldwell Hirschman and Donald N yates.. Slavery was a religious war and nothing to do with race. The was was between The Roman Catholic Empire of Spain vs Muslim Moors and Sephardic Jews of Spain. In England the Protestant Cromwell and others after him waged a war with irish catholics and Scottis Jacobite Highlanders, which upon their defeat, were transported to the sugar plantations and sold to Scottish merchants,and Plantation owners who were also Sephardic Jews. Most enslaved people were either Irish Catholics, Scottish Catholics and Native people of the West Indies and America not Africans.. No African languages existing in any of the colonies.
@@SDBOGLEso your saying that the buckbraking didn’t take place
In Jamaica?
I am an Akan from Ghana, and you are right about most of the words. Welcome back home to Ghana to learn more.
@@theresadavidsson7959 I loved Ghana, but only visited for about two weeks. God willing, I will visit again one day. My DNA test shows that some of my ancestors were from the region now called Ghana.
What are the words?
I loved Ghana”akwaba”
Greetings my Sister. I appreciate your comment as I am a Carribean decendant living in Canada. I love the study of linguistics as it pertains to connecting Carribean dialects with our African ancestors.
You said "most" in regard to the words the Sister connected to Twi. For my learning purposes and others, can you say which words were not aligned with Twi and if you know, do they connect with other African languages?
@@fabianel7280it is nonsense. Jamaicans must stop with this African worship. It is foolish.
Thank you so much for this I was born in Jamaica but grew up in the Uk, my parents and the extended Jamaican community did and still use most of the words you mentioned ( especially Ginal man ) some time ago I went to Ghana on a cultural trip ago and can see the connection…. We must not forget our history. ❤
The word “ginal” when translated into “English” …means “The General”.
@@toni8949 The General … can still be be biggest Ginal I think so 🤔 😂
Them words have nothing to do with Africa. Nothing. It is so sad the desperation in Jamaicans trying to be Africans. It is so sad. No wonder the children are so confused.
In London, we use SO MANY Jamaican words! Ginals is what stood out the most! My father is Jamaican and i give thanks for my connection to such wonderful people! I might just go and make some blue draws today
You did very well, I am an Akan and the Akan people live in Ghana. (The language of the Akan is Twi) There are other Twi speakers who live in Ivory Coast and Benin inside Nigeria. I recognize all your 10 words. The first one written as 'Ananse' and your pronunciation is perfect.
I was born in the yam growing area in Ghana and I know the Afu yam, it almost extinct as farmers are not cultivating it anymore because is not commercially viable. Kokobe is very old word, and has been replaced by Kwata. You were perfect with Ananse, Bafane, Bese, Dokuno and Mumu. Notice I wrote them in Akan Twi. I am looking forward to your next part. I know that most Africans transported to Jamaica comes from the Akan tribe. In Akan when we say Jama = It seems or looks or appears like. It is the word I use often Akan and Yaka = We are stocked, we cannot go back (Put together, it is 'Gyama Yaka" in Akan) All the Akan tribes use these two words to mean the same. I watched a video sometime by a Jamaican Gentleman that drew my attention to this fact. (I give credit to him). When our people were there, they kept saying Gyama Yaka often that they named them Gyama Yaka people (Jamaica) We don't have J or V in the Akan alphabet)
@user-es4ii5vh4 Very informative comment which I truly enjoyed reading. As regards the naming of Jamaica, I've always maintained that your explanation makes a lot more sense phonetically than the earlier inhabitants 'Xaymaca" name, and I'm not trying to besmirch their culture and contribution.
Sorry to hear that Afu is no longer popular in Ghana, it is a long standing and long lived favourite in Jamaica, both the yellow and white varieties. Makes you reflect wistfully, what a blessing that our ancestors had the presence of mind, to gather and store this wonderful tuber on their persons, even while the barbarian enslaver was doing their utmost to destroy lives.
Finally, I learned from a video on this fine teaching platform YT, that the barbarian enslavers the British, established a museum in Liverpool, England, dedicated to retaining accurate records about African enslavement. Amazing as that info is to me, it is very interesting to learn that the vast majority of Africans transported to Jamaica, were from the Gold Coast/Ghana. Additionally, because the British had little desire to settle in Jamaica permanently, as they did in America and elsewhere, it suited their purposes to retain and exploit in Jamaica, the Africans who continuously rebelled and agitated for their freedom. Then export to North America, and larger land mass in general, the more sedate enslaved who accepted their fate, and were thus less of a threat to settler families.
There is so much more to share, but this is already too long. Peace and love.
Gyama translates as PERHAPS
Whilst Y'aka translates as WE'RE STUCK.
So Jamaica in Akan twi means
PERHAPS WE'RE STUCK.
Aha also means HERE in akan twi.
Therefore, Perhaps we're Stuck Here
translates as Gyama y'aka aha
Or Gyama y'aka ha.
Thank you for sharing. In Belize, we use or have used most of these words. I'm curious: Is your dukunu sweet or salty? The dukunu/dokuno in Belize is made the same way she mentioned, except we wrap meat inside and are more salty than sweet. So it's not a dessert as far as I know.
This is causing me to think of more words.
Nice to hear tour comments about these words. I AM FROM Suriname and I recognize a few words: 1) a Nansi = written
'Anansi is the all wise spider. 2) Dookunu. I know this word too: it's a sweet treat rapped-up in plantain leaves. 3) Cocobay= leprosy: it sound the same(kokobe).
Thank you, very informative. It make me feel closer to my African heritage ( I am Jamaican) but fills me with regret for not being able to pass this down to my children successfully. I'm still trying
Wow ! Those words brought back so much memories of growing up in Jamaica ❤. I remember them all . Thanks for educating me on their origins.
We should be proud of our African ancestry. Big up. I hope to visit the continent 1 day
The last one killed it (MUMU) meaning senseless😮 original Nigerians talk, cause I am. And that can't die in Naija😅🗣️👂🏿Ah jus 1 people❤✊🏾👊🏿Peculiar People.
I have heard Jamaican say
*Pikni* this mean a child in Nigerian pigin/broken English. Nigerians however call it differently as *Pickin* which mean a child or my Pickin which means my child.
In the same vein, i have heard in Bob Marley song "throw mi corn, mi no corn no fowl, ku ku ku"
Basically the song is talking about how you call fowls/chickens in the Yoruba language of Nigeria, where their owners bait them with corn in order to catch them, they throw them corns and call out ku ku ku and the chickens come running to their owners.
Bob Marley actually was saying in the song that he's not a fowl and no one should throw corn at him and call ku ku ku.
When i heard the song for the first time i saw the connection between the Yorubas and the Jamaicans culture/language.
I hope my explanation is helpful.
PIckin from the Portuguese word for small *pequena/pequeno
I love everything about this! I'm Haitian and we of course also have a lot of connections with African languages in terms of the vocabulary and also the syntax and grammar. In this video, we have in common the dessert/breakfast Doukounou. Also the word kokobe which means more infirmed/underdeveloped. We have many other words. When I watch African Nollywood movies, I hear them say "kobo" for money and I realize that's we get the Kreyòl word "kòb." Also our expressions come from the motherland. When exclaiming about something we'll say, "Hey!!!" (stretched out like Heeeeeey). It means something more and has more emphasis when repeated 2, 3, or even 4 times. Also, the way we say my--mwen. In Nigeria, they'll say for example, "Obi'm" "My Obi. Haitians will say the same, "Mika'm" "My Mika." And in the northern part of Haiti where my father's family is from, they use the 'm possessive at the end of non vowel words unlike at other parts of Haiti. For example, in places in the north of Haiti like Gros Morne and Cap Haitien (Okay), they'll say "pitan'm, grann'm where as other regions will say piti mwen, grann mwen for my child and my grandmother.
@nalidabesson it is just amazing to me how you are all falling over the Africans. The bible says, "Because of a lack of knowledge my people perish." If you knew who it is you are seeking to maintain strong links with, you wouldn't. Listen, the words Jamaica use are down to their own creative, nothing to do with Africa. Those people who are desperate to be Africans. Please hurry up and go back over there. When you do, I hope it is no return flight. Because those vile people will ensure you really understand Africa.
So many Haitians are Ashanti origins of Ghana. Some has even found their source from here. And our King, Osei Tutu II sometimes visit his people over there. Doukounou is a typical Ashanti dialect and it is pronounced "Dokono" in Ashanti. Big ups, sweet sister, greetings from Ghana, Kumasi, Ashanti's capital. VWP ❤
Great effort to remember and connect to your native African roots. Mother Africa is the cradle and it is good to see you helping to connect the blurred links.
@@ndifoncharleslondi3014
Can you recommend any history book of Jamaica that you have read? Sincerely asking.
We have no Africa roots. We were thrown away cut off. Have you all not got any shame? Do you see Africans swarninh over Jamaicans? Let me tell you they hate Jamaicans?
@@SDBOGLE thankyou. This blind promotion of Africa make me sick.
@@evedropps1801why is it Africa that people always have a problem with?
@dragonrudeboy well! The greatest thing in life is to know. Nothing is wrong with the continent. They are not a very nice bunch. They are wolves in sheep clothing. How many of them apologise for selling their own into slavery. What you will see them do is *blame* others and be loud to drown the voice, exposing them of that hypocrisy. Jamaica is an independent nation, and we ought to celebrate the gifts in us instead of apportioning it to a nation that has no love and / or substance. Jamaicans are not Africans. *Out of Many We Are One People* That is what being Jamaican means. This latest Africa worship needs to end.
Ah! Afu is also a word used by a tribe in Nigeria known as the EFIKS. It also represents a food product made out of boiled yam and cassava. It is pounded into a dough-like consistency and eaten with a vegetable sauce. A lot of Jamaicans came from the city of Calabar in Nigeria, where Efik is the primary language. There's even a Calabar High School in Kingston, Jamaica, in recognition of that history. Much love 💝💕 me bredren inma yard. Love 💝 from Calabar, Nigeria! Peace out ✌️!
@@Baddamozie thanks for sharing this information
Also, we are heavily Igbo as well, the Trans Atlantic Data Base shows 5 different tribes from Nigeria came to Jamaica, Ibibbio, igbo, Fulani , Calabar and small amount of Yoruba. I have igbo friends and I heard them use words like us, for example wee wi means to pee, mu mu and many more. Also their foods are very similar, not to mention behaviour, we are really connected
🇯🇲 yes, that's why the west is afraid of Nigeria and Jamaica coming together. We have to free Afrika
What a wonderful vido. I have many jamaican friends and many african friends and i see a lot of similarities. The nature of jamaicans is very similar to the nature of africans. The calm disposition and the common sense is similar. When i say calm i mean as long as nobody annoys them lol.
Hi Ms Reid. Great to see u from HCHS to this exciting project in this space, promoting our culture. Awesome .
Guh deh gyal!!!!
Listening to you was the thrill of my life. Our ties to Africa is unmistakable. Thank you.
Thanks for imparting this knowledge to us. I learnt a lot. First l am hearing of the Akan language.
Thanks for sharing! An interesting thing I found out recently is that the Jamaican flag has the same colours as the Ashanti flag!!
Thank you for memory Lane Lady I knew all of the words. This is a great program keek it up thank you again.
Absolutely brilliant! Thanks so much!
We appreciate this informative video, especially how the essence of African culture, has been preserved in Jamaica, and throughout the, Caribbean culture.
@@cenwright33 thank you
Uno Muno and crochet cunu monu n quashie
It's all bull shit they speak about. They are nothing more than slave traders
Great video! Thank you, nicely done Dorraine.
1. Nyam
Origin: Akan (Twi)
Meaning: To eat
Usage: "Mi a go nyam some food." (I am going to eat some food.)
2. Duppy
Origin: Akan (Twi)
Meaning: Ghost or spirit
Usage: "Mi see one duppy last night." (I saw a ghost last night.)
3. Pikney
Origin: Ibibio/Efik (Bikini)
Meaning: Child
Usage: "Di pikney dem a play." (The children are playing.)
4. Jook
Origin: Wolof
Meaning: To stab or poke
Usage: "Him jook mi wid di needle." (He poked me with the needle.)
5. Bashment
Origin: Akan (Bɛsɛm)
Meaning: A lively party or dance
Usage: "Di bashment was wicked last night!" (The party was amazing last night!)
6. Kumina
Origin: Kongo (Kikongo)
Meaning: A spiritual dance or ritual
Usage: "Dem a keep Kumina fi di ancestors." (They are holding a Kumina ceremony for the ancestors.)
7. Zemi
Origin: Igbo
Meaning: A spiritual force or idol
Usage: "Di Zemi dem protect di house." (The spiritual forces protect the house.)
8. Breda
Origin: Akan (Bɔbra)
Meaning: Brother (used to refer to a close friend or sibling)
Usage: "Wah gwaan, breda?" (What's up, brother?)
9. Oonuh
Origin: Yoruba (Unu)
Meaning: You (plural)
Usage: "Oonuh fi come here now!" (You all should come here now!)
10. Mumu
Origin: Hausa
Meaning: Foolish or dumb
Usage: "Him mumu, him nuh know wah him a do." (He's foolish, he doesn't know what he's doing.)
11. Tabanka
Origin: Yoruba
Meaning: Heartbreak or unrequited love
Usage: "Di man a suffer from tabanka." (The man is suffering from heartbreak.)
12. Susu
Origin: Akan (Twi)
Meaning: Gossip
Usage: "Mi hear dem a susu bout yuh." (I hear they are gossiping about you.)
13. Toto
Origin: Wolof
Meaning: Female genitalia (vulgar)
Usage: "Mi nah talk bout dat toto business." (I’m not talking about that vulgar business.)
14. Kaba
Origin: Yoruba
Meaning: A type of traditional dress
Usage: "She wear kaba to di church service." (She wore a traditional dress to the church service.)
15. Wanga
Origin: Kongo (Kikongo)
Meaning: A charm or spell
Usage: "Him use wanga fi protect himself." (He used a charm to protect himself.)
16. Dutty
Origin: Akan (Du)
Meaning: Dirty
Usage: "Di floor dutty, clean it up." (The floor is dirty, clean it up.)
17. Obeah
Origin: Akan (Obayi)
Meaning: A type of folk magic or sorcery
Usage: "Dem a practice obeah fi hurt him." (They are practicing sorcery to harm him.)
18. Guzu
Origin: Kikongo
Meaning: Magic, often malevolent
Usage: "Him a work guzu pon mi." (He is casting spells on me.)
19. Tambu
Origin: Mandinka
Meaning: Drum (related to a type of dance or music)
Usage: "Di tambu beat strong inna di dance." (The drum beat is strong in the dance.)
20. Anansi
Origin: Akan (Ananse)
Meaning: A trickster figure in folklore
Usage: "Yuh cyaan trust him, him a Anansi." (You can't trust him, he's a trickster.)
Wow! This is very informative
Unu is Igbo actually and it means you all
Actually "Pickney" is not African. It is Spanish . Remember that Jamaica was a Spanish Colony before it was British. .The original word in Spanish is pequeños which means small ones or children. Even today Hispanics use the word pequeños to refer to children. Pequeños got picked up by the slaves and it morphed into Pikineys (which is still used sometimes and not just by Jamaicans). That later got shortened and became Pickney. When the British took over Jamaica, most of the slave owners fled the island and left the slaves. So most of the abandoned slaves spoke a broken form of Spanish and Pickiney became a part of the language of all Jamaicans.
You are good
As an African, I cannot love this more. You are adding to the persistent ties that bind us. Thank you, Dorraine.
@@justchaz. You're welcome
Ginal made me laugh. Thanks so much for sharing this.
I'm looking forward to part 2.
Cocobay - growing up in Guyana, I definitely heard that word used to describe leprosy (or any abnormality, deformity for that matter).
As in “why ee mout karna white suh, look like ee gah cocobay”
Hi. I'm a first generation English born of Jamaican parents❤🇯🇲. My mother didnt speak strong patois but always taught us many words and all about the history of patois. Some spell it phonetically as "Patwa" but i grew up knowing the French spelling "patois" pronounced the same way. Great informative video thank you Sista 🖤❤💛💚🇯🇲👊🏽
@dmw9803 Do you know that Ashanti flag has the same colors as Jamaica ? GREEN, YELLOW, BLACK. VWP ❤️
Beautiful!! As a Jamaican, and a friend of Ghana, I found this interesting as Akan, is spoken by 80💕 of Ghanaians.
You find it interesting that Jamaicans do not chose to celebrate Jamaicans creative. But rather apportion to people who have no business being mentioned.
Ghanian slaves were brought to Jamaica and named maroons. Akan /Ashanti twi language comes from Ghana. Patois is broken down from the Twi language. I am so grateful that I know the intertwining of both Twi and Patois.
Enslaved Ghanians.
From Kenya 🇰🇪. Good work.
Cunu munu, yabba, pickiny or pickney are some other words of African origin I learnt. So much more to learn. Thanks for highlighting that part of our African Heritage.
I always heard it as munu cunu 😁
Pickney isn't African, it's Portuguese
Thanks for promoting our precious heritage❤
Great video. Thanks for preserving our African ancestry. I have an interesting story.
About 30 years ago we lived in the north of England. An African brother who was married to the daughter of one of our Jamaican church sisters was preaching that Sabbath. I believe he was from Sierra Leone - geographically regional to Ghana and Nigeria.
He gave a children’s story prior to the main sermon. It was an anansi story and one I had heard as a child growing up. Naturally, I assumed that his wife was diligent about preserving her heritage in the mixed matrimonial environment and so at lunch I asked him if he had been to Jamaica. He said “no”. Then I asked him if his wife told him the story, he said “no”. So a little confused, I asked “so where did you learn the stories from? He said “these are the stories we tell in our country. We spent pretty much the rest of lunch comparing stories and the ones he related to me were pretty much the way I was told them growing up as a young man. Furthermore, we started to compare words and discovered that many of the words are the ones we use in patois today.
As a young man, I was lead to believe that patois was just bad English but here I realized that it was a combination of the African and English languages as interpreted and hybridized by the slaves. Jamaicans that moved the the UK in the 60s tried to ditch the language not because they were ashamed but because it made them stand out and not fit in. This was a mistake but the patois still survives in the UK. In fact I thought a good friend of mine was born in Jamaica his accent was so strong. Imagine my shock when he told me ‘a Gloucester mi baaan’. (Gloucester is in the English west country).
Anyway, it was a light bulb moment for me. There is nothing so stabilizing as knowing and understanding your roots - good or bad. Kudos to you for educating us all.
@@victorallen3336 thank you so much for sharing this. Your story just confirms what this video is about....the Caribbean has strong similarities to Africa because of the enslaved who were brought here.
@@victorallen3336 Wonderful comment. I am delighted to hear both stories. I try to pass Anansi stories to my son and to the children of my cousins who were born in the USA.
Just to let you know many of what was enslaved & free Africans lived and born in Jamaican that rebelled against the British were shipped out to nova Scotia & also Sierra Leone. Quite a number sierra Leone's have descendants that were born in Jamaica and to this day you meet plenty sierra Leone that speak krio and utter words eg "pitney- pikany that's familiar to any old time Jamaican .
@@DorraineReidin the eastern carribbean - eg Guyana & Barbados dunkonnu / blue draws is called conkee from the Ghana - kenkey .
@@rrowell4163 oh really?! I learnt something. Thanks for sharing
Thank u for reminding me of these words we don't hest them again being away from home ,we don't have the need to use them that was good to remember
I am very familiar, with these words and used to use them. I am one of those ancesral person. Your video is so interesting. I enjoyed it. Keep doing these historical videos because our young generation has no clue of there heritage especially now when we are moving away from community meeting s,elder are not being able to pass on our rich history.
Nancy is "Ananse," the con man, in the Akan ( Ghana) stories that teach morals and lessons in life. The full name is KWAKU (Born on Wednesday ) ANANSE. His wife is called OKONORE YAA, and their son called NTIKUMA.
Thanks for whipping up the nostalgic momories of village life when we used to sit by the fire at night, to listen to stories from our parents and grand parents.
Yes sis this is all fe we language
Thank you I grew up hearing and using most of these words..Didn't know they were real African words.
😊😊
Well done!
@@khady-falllo4644 thank you
Informational & Educational.
I'm Jamaican I know and use all of those words, most of those words were use more in the 1960's than now🧐
@@CliftonEdwards-d7x true. I hardly hear some of them now.
The truth about patois hasn't been told .Jamaicans are like overly emotional kids .You have to tell them what they want to hear.
Miss Louis wishes shouldn't sentence Jamaica to an inarticulate society. A society where the people's deportment mimics its articulation .
It can't be coincidence that Jamaicans who have good command of the English language will make 3× more in their life time than Jamaicans who only speak patois .
The society has chosen "kulcha" over affluence ./Our ancestors did the best they could with the little they had .It was for us to evolve ,not recreate our ancestors experience.
Jamaica don't even understand the economical difference language brings to a society.( We are too busy trying to be the cool kids)Just ask Malaysia..........
Interesting! In Antigua we use cocobay for leprosy. We also use katta, dukana, bassa-bassa, bafan, mutual, poko-poko and many more. Some phrases are clearly derivatives of African phrases. In Nigerian movies I hear them say "water more than garri" but in Antigua we say " watta more dan flour"! to mean things brown/hard
And in Ashanti of Ghana we use "bafan, kwatta, dokono, basa basa in our dialect. Big ug dear. One love. VWP ❤️
Thanks for reawaken those words, I had forgotten them all , 🙏
@@bernicebutler3513 you're welcome
@@bernicebutler3513 you need to visit the real country area when you can 👍
@@DorraineReidJAMAICANS LIKE YOURSELF WILL PERPETUALLY TELL THOSE LIES IN EFFORTS OF DENYING THE INARTICULATE POPULATION WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY ENGINEERED .
WE ALL REALISE 'THE STRUGGLES OF AVERAGE JAMAICAN TO CONDUCT ANY SORT OF INTELLIGENT CONVERSATION ,YET WE CHOOSE TO SELL THIS CULTURE THAT IS SOOOO RICH THAT IT MAKES JAMAICA POOR AND ONLY GOOD FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES.
WHAT PEOPLE WOULD ACCEPT AN UNSTRUCTURED ĎIALECT FOR A NATIONAL LANGUAGE 🤔.
ITS TIME JAMAICA EVOLVE AND STOP TRYING TO BE THE COOL KID .BEING THE COOL KID HAS DONE NOTHING FOR JAMAICA.!!!!!!!
Go and read Jamaican history books. Those words are Jamaican own creativity a blend of English Maroons American indians, Jamaican Indians nothing to do with that nasty place who sold all Jamaicans into slavery. Judas the lot.
I am from Ghana and recognised most of them you are absolutely spot on. Welcome home my sister our daughter ❤
As a child growing up in the UK I used to hear those words alot and it resignate with me until this day I don't hear the younger Generation using it anymore this is something the older generation should In still in them so they don't lose their heritage ❤❤❤❤🇯🇲
@@patriciamatthews9390 agree with you
Linguistically or phonetically? That is why it is called Patois, indicating a mixture between two or more languages, and those with which is a “Contact” language. It won’t be declared an African language.
Mi Baan a Jamaica an go a waa British High school. Wen we a talk an no wasn't de farrina piney dem fe noo wha we a sah wi chat fas fas an confuse dem.
Omg, I once did a research and found these words...u know I spoke patio loud n proud...also "nyam"
Just Beautiful ❤🎉Thank you for teaching Us! #MotherLand
Absolutely wonderful. Love this. Thank you
@@wilhelminawalder3315 you're welcome
I left Jamaica for the U.S. when I was 6. I am now 69 but I remember hearing my, mother and my grandmother using many of the words you listed. Like you I just thought they were Jamaican words I never gave any thought that they might be from our African heritage. Thanks for doing this
You didn't give any thought because they are Jamaican words. There is a group of people willing to erase our history and spin Africa in a good light. Then they go on with this blind promotion of Africa. What this does is create a worship of Africa and promote the false sense that we have nothing for ourselves. We must continue to be independent of Africa. This idealisation of Africa must stop.
@@evedropps1801 I am sorry that you take such a negative attitude towards our shared African heritage. That being said we must never forget where we came from or the people and land that suffered and is still suffering. You are right a blind “worship” of Africa or anything for that matter is not useful, but remembering and honoring our ancestry is something we will always need. I wish you well my friend.
@patrickhaye8882 The most positive thing from Africa is Nelson Mandela. I have not applied any negativity to it. I am calling it as I see it. Truth no 1, all life forms originated from Africa. The blind worship is my problem. Ignoring that these people do not genuinely like Jamaicans is snother.I have seen people destroyed by these people. Jamaicans, by the way. Innocently!
Truth 2. Jamaicans are not Africans. It is geographically impossible and biologically wishful thinking and silly.
Truth 3, the reason people ended up in Jamaica,is quite simply because we were Africa's rejects. They did not want us in Africa.They wanted from us that which can give them more for their Tribes. They betray us, they did that and you lot worshiping these wikeds and. They stand by and just lap it up the undeserving praises.
So what is this * nonsensical video* about? People host these nonsense videos, constantly surrendering who we are as Jamaicans for an ideology and end being the vehicle of confusion for young especially black men. You are Jamaican. If you were born there. However, there are splintering of other cultures, including Africa. What is this nonsense this woman and the people on here talking about? Man, you all get a grip of the truth.
Why couldn't the video be presented to say we Jamaicans are creative? Look at the words we have arrived at. We apportion that discovery to the Africans who sold us into slavery!
I guarantee all of you on here if , push cone to shove, they will do the same again. Because it is simply all about them.
It is nice that Jamaicans are welcoming, but we must stop being foolish around this ancestory rubbish. Do you see African doing that? They will happily let you know you are slave baby! They will happily let you know you are nothing they were allowed to disrespect Jamaicans because of these nonsense arguments.
They sell us. As far as I am concerned, that must be it!
We need to have some pride in ourselves.
I am very aware of these words. As a child growing up in St. Thomas J.W.I I heard a lot of anansi story.
@carolsherwood4133 Yes, OK! Words that were Bourne out of Jamaicans creativity and ingenuity! Nothing to do with the slave trade from Africa.
Thank you for sharing with us.
You are not just sharing. Bet you are bringing us together.
I am a Ghanaian Ashanti.
From Senegal but all words are new to me. Thanks for teaching me 😊
@@khady-falllo4644 you are welcome. When I post part 2, we will see if you know any of those words. Thanks for watching
Africa 🌍 is a big continent, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, don't know why black people always say Africa instead of Ghana, Togo, Kenya, ivory coast etc,
I'm going to live in Ghana instead of going back to Jamaica
I have been to Senegal 6 or 7 times staying or visiting Casamance, Ziguichor, Dakar, Cape Skirring and Goree Island. I think you would have recognised Mende though in this video not mentioned as one of her ten words but mentioned alongside the 10th word.
@@tonytony3491and we are going to continue to say Africa. Evidently you are not hearing with a listening ears, or you want to be spoon fed.
Great, thanks following from Swaziland 🇸🇿,your welcome here's
I am originally from St. Vincent, we use most of these words, but we say cashie instead of cash. I taught my white English neighbours the word kaba kaba and the meaning
Love you dear, ❤you are all right with your old Africa Ghana idioms.
Keep it up
Hi Dorraine!
I vividly remember hearing the older folks using such words as "mumu,country bubu,anancy,and cocobay,growing up in New Town St.Kitts.
Keep up the good works,our younger generation will reward you much!
@@randyjames327 thank you
They don't have nothing to do with Africa. Jamaicans creativity. Stop sell out Jamaican.
I am Jamaican and very familiar with all of those words. Blessings sister.
I am from Jamaica and I have not been back there for twenty years and I am familiar with all the the words and their meaning and you are correct with the words and meaning.
I name my doughter Kesi.
Foolish person selling out Jamaica at the drop of an hat. Hope you are sufficiently ashame. When have you heard Africans behaving nicely towards Jamaicans. Africans do not like Jamaicans. I have seen the stories. These blind loyalty to a people who wanted us murdered. I do not understand.
@@thedkjjones8651 Kesi means big or elder in Akan language
Kesi is akan word, something big, and we used to naming people in Ghana 🇬🇭
And Kesie is a typical Ashanti name of Ghana. Big up my dear. VWP ❤️
@AmnfoEvans Not only Ashantis but broader Akan dialects. They all use Kese for elder, first twin OR typical surname depending on the family background.
Thank you, this is one of my favorite subjects. I have already traced my roots back to the Akan people, so my name would be Kofi, African male child born on a Friday
You are right, I'm an Ashanti, the majority Akan speaking tribe in Ghana. VWP ❤️
Please add “Chaka Chaka” to the list. I heard a Tiler in Ghana speaking in Ewe to his apprentice and use the term when he was dissatisfied with his work. When I asked him if it meant the young man was not doing it properly he said yes. We use to use that term in Jamaica in the same context.
chaka chaka in Jamaica means untidy or messy
Look it is Jamaican creativity not African. You are all so gullible.
So true
The room chacka chacka
@@evedropps1801
So it just so happens all over the diaspora?
Am from st James montego bay and am still using these words
@@67rickyb nice
This was a really good video. I was familiar with a few of the words but not most. I learned a while ago that the words Nyam, Obeah, Unu and duppy are of west African origins. People I told all believed they were made up words or slang. They are actual African words or at least derivatives.
Also I learned that the term Redibo (not sure how it spell), what people used to call light skin people, derived from red "Eboh" / "Igbo" which is a certain tribe from Nigeria. Possibly the term they use in America for light skin people - Red bone is of the same origins too.
@@nataliesmith-ti7oe I know the term...we are more connected to our African ancestry more than we know
Am from Elderslie St Elizabeth we still use these words even today
@@yvonnewright63 nice! In most rural areas these words will still be part of daily communication
Thank you sista peace and blessings, nice content. I was born in Surinam and we have most of the words that you are talking about. Anansi ia also our spider and we have Anansi tori too, we have dookuun, we know kokobeh too, so yeah we ar all African Pickni, that word pikini we use it also in Surinam. But we also have words like; unu for us and plural you. we have the word djasoh for here, as in mi deh djasoh; I am here. And in our Winti spirituality we got alot of Akan words, Anana= de great one, so we sing Dasho Anana, as in mi daase I give thanks. O nyankopon one of the names of God. Asaase mother earth or Aisa. And the list goes on. I now live in the Gambia and I now also find lots of Wolof and Mandinka words in our language. So yh we are African pickni mixed with almost all the West-African tribes. I uunderstand the Nigerians when they speak because we got lots of their words also, like; Sabi for knowing, soso for only or just that as in nah soso up you can go + is only up you can go... and so forth. Thanks for your content. Peace and blessings
🇬🇾❤️💯
If you are from Surinam, then your root is from Ashanti in Ghana. The Asantehene, the King of Ashanti Kingdom sometimes use to visit his people in Surinam. In Ashanti dialect we have some words like "ananse, ananse tori which is ananse's fiction stories, dokono, ono which means you or he, me daase nana which means thank you my king or queen. asaasa mother earth". Big up dear. VWP ❤️
As an adult of Jamaican heritage, it was wonderful to hear that many of their word usage originates from African regions! Thkq for this delight video & thkq (especially) for using the patwa tongue of my parents... I loved hearing you speak! BIG UP to JAMAICA from the UK 👏🏽💯😉🇯🇲
I’m familiar with all of them!! I’m not surprised of the connection or the origin as research shows that most Jamaicans are from the Igbo!!!Luv mi Roots…Gold Coast - Africa!!!!Thanks for sharing!
The Akan are from Ghana. The Igbo are from Nigeria. I don’t follow your thinking. Please elaborate.
@@michelleallen3092 But Gold Coast is former of Ghana, not Nigeria. VWP ❤️
Thank you for reminding me of these words. I haven't heard them in a while.
munu we always said cunu munu
Means you are being silly 😅😅
Very informative video. Extremely nostalgic and reminds of my childhood in the hills of St Ann. Thank you
This is telling us of our true heritage. This is why it hurts me so much when we deny our heritage. The older generation tends to deny our African heritage….they are quick to tell you…”mi a Jamaican….mi a nu Africa.” Then a whole chapter starts about one’s heritage.
Thank you very much.
I recognized all but the last one.
My father was from Clarendon.
You’re on point. I grew up in Claremont, St. Ann and use to hear the older women speak these words whether in a slang or complete sentences. Some of these words are hurtful, but that’s how it was back then. Thanks for the memories
On point with what. You mean you bought in to that nonsense! It is Jamaicans creativity. I am tired of this false promotion of a country who fundamentally hate Jamaicans. You are can continue with this false worship Africa. You will reap the destruction you are sowing.
Dukunu is very familiar lovely 😋... blue draws 🇯🇲
Jah know, you’re such a beautiful woman, my dear, it doesn’t matter how much, we tried or they tried, it is undeniable who we’re, not even our blood can’t be watered down, all the lies told to us, about Christopher come buss us, noticed we were not taught about Marcus Garvey, or any of our great Africans ancestors, it was deliberately done to keep us in ignorance, but guess what? It only appears to work! But goodness to individuals such as you, for spreading the word, Eurocentric politics and religion has done its damage, it’s time for healing and reveling ourselves, of course knowledge is all around us, all the time, it’s about time, for each of us to recognized, our potential, by collaborating our every bits and pieces, going forward, towards growth and development, collective action is the best and only way forward
One love my sister, your brother from another mother, living in Minneapolis
@@lancematthews624 true
I am from upper Clarendon also. I am familiar with all those words and still use them from time to time.
Miss Lou say "Unu fi chat fiwi language." Thanks Sista Dorraine. Di akan root strong in patwa.
It is true the bible. Because of a lack of knowledge my people perish. All of you will perish because of this false worship of Africa.
Quite informative and nostalgic, brought me back to my childhood ❤
Well done. We still use some of those in the US to teach my kids and grandchildren
My sons 27 & 24 fully understand the language but don't speak it.
Wish Jamaicans read and self study more and quit depending on these people who has ulterior motive to worship a destructive and wicked Africa.
Nice one dorraine 💪🏽🙏🏽
In Dominica we refer to people who can't speak nor hear as mumu.
This is interesting
@@DorraineReid The same word "mumu" in Nigeria, too.
Same in the Twi language of the Ashanti"s in Ghana
The Akan words are true. Naane and her brother Captain Kwadjo were Akans. Kwadjo is an indication of a man born on Monday.
@@BernardAsare-bh9gp where are you from? Who is Naane?
Thank you for sharing, much appreciated. ❤
We have so many words to cuss people lol
@@DJ_Randy_B lol. That is so true
Facts!
Great work. Keep it up.
Mmmmm there were several which surprised me. Casha, cocobay, kaba-kaba, munu. Thanks
Thank you for putting out this video about the true origins of patois.
So educational
Thanks for sharing; like you, I SM familiar with all words mentioned. Bless
Keep up the good work you are beautiful l learn something new
Well done i am from Manchester and it was used there ❤🇯🇲Jamaican abroad 😊
Heya I’m Ghanaian living in China for a decade now and everything you said is 💯 accurate 🔥also you pronounced Ewe correctly 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾thx for sharing
You’ve done well dorrain I think you’re doing a great job. Thank you for sharing the video with us
Love this video.
Love your content, I grew up hearing and using some of these words thinking that we Jamaicans just made them up,glad to know they’re actual words of my ancestors.
Jus gi yuh a subscription caz bad yuh bad ina weh yuh do zeen!
Much blessed love and Respeck hear?🔥
Yuh obviously nail e whole thing🔥❤️
This is my 1st time watching & listening. I really enjoyed it. I do know most of the words. Good. 😊
This is a very nice video
Thank you for your research. I have heard and have used these words, just thinking it's just what we say in Jamaica. I am glad to know of its roots. Much respect 🫶🏿💜🇯🇲🇯🇲
Thanks for sharing! I learned a lot from this video. It’s really interesting.
Jamaica a beautiful culture; out of many one Patois.
Thanks for taking us down memory lane.
Looking forward to part 2
@@sharongj1 you're welcome. Part two is already posted
Yes am know these words . Growing up in Jamaica
Very interesting
I am from Manchester and is familiar with 90 % of the words but didn’t know the origin thanks for educating me.
Very interesting and educational content