The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

JAMAICAN CEMETERY BELIEF

IN THE OLD MAROON CEMETERIES WHICH ARE ALL COVERED WITH HUGE
COTTON TREES GROWING, THE SPIRITS OF THE PEOPLE BURIED THERE GATHER
AROUND THE ROOTS AND BRANCHES WHEN THEY TALK. IT SOUNDS LIKE
WHISPERING BECAUSE THE SPIRITS HAVE THEIR OWN LANGUAGE. THE MAROON
WERE PEOPLE WHO WERE HALF ARAWAK INDIAN AND HALF AFRICAN SLAVE.

Submitter comment: THE ARAWAK INDIANS ARE NATIVE OF CENTRAL AND NORTHEASTERN SOUTH
AMERICA AND A GREAT PORTION OF THE WEST INDIES INCLUDING JAMAICA.
DONALD LEE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN BUFF BAY, JAMAICA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-31-1975