The Jamaican Patois is a colourful mix of several languages passed down from our colonial past and Igbo, Efik and Yoruba ancestors.
20 Jamaican words that originated from Nigerian languages
Igbo culture and languages, as well as other cultures from Africa, were key in forming the Jamaican Patois language and culture during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
20 Jamaican Patois words that originated from Nigerian languages
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Here are a few.
1. Akara
This derived from the Yoruba àkàrà, and points to a type of street food — bean cakes.
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2. Attoo
This derived from the Igbo átú, meaning “chewing stick”
3. Big-eye
“Big Eye” is derived directly from the Igbo “anya ukwu”, meaning “greedy”
4. Breechee
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This is from mbùríchì, meaning an Nri-Igbo nobleman
5. Buckra
This is an Efik term from mbakára, meaning “white man”
6. Chink, Chinch
This is from the Igbo chị́nchị̀, meaning “bedbug”
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7. Country ibo
from Ị̀gbò, Pluchea odorata or Ptisana purpurascens
8. De, Deh
This is derived from the Igbo dị, [with adverbial] meaning “is” (to be)
9. Door-mouth
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This is a claque from ọ́nụ́ ụ́zọ̀ (mouth + door), meaning “doorway”
10. Hard-head
This is from Igbo ísí íké, (head + hard, strength), meaning “obstinate”
11. Himba
This is from Igbo mba, “yam root”, a type of yam, Rajania cordata
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12. Kaba-kaba
is derived from Yoruba (and Akan, Ewe) and means ‘unreliable, inferior, worthless’
13. Mumu
means "dumb", but is derived from Yoruba (and Ewe) where it means 'slow in the head'
14. Obeah
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from Igbo ọbiạ, meaning “doctoring”, “mysticism”
15. Okra
This is from the Igbo ọkwurụ, a vegetable
16. Poto-poto
This is from the Yoruba “opoto-opoto”, mkpọtọ-mkpọtọ, meaning “mud”, “muddy”
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17. Red Ibo, Eboe
from Ị̀gbò, a person with a light skin colour or a mulatto of mixed parentage
18. Se
This is from the Igbo sị, which usually follows with a quote. Also from Akan se and English say
19. Soso
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This is from the Igbo sọsọ meaning “only”
20. Unu
from Igbo language únù, meaning “you (plural)”
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