The list of African words in Jamaican Patois notes down as many loan words in Jamaican Patois that can be traced back to specific African languages, the majority of which are Twi words.[1][2] Most of these African words have arrived in Jamaica through the enslaved Africans that were transported there in the era of the Atlantic slave trade.
Many of the African-derived words in Jamaican Patois relate to food, spirituality, the body, interpersonal relationships, and social behavior, reflecting the cultural priorities and lived experiences of enslaved communities. For example, "duppy" (ghost) is believed to derive from Akan or Ga languages, while "nyam" (to eat) may come from Twi or Fula. Jamaican Patois is significantly influenced by African languages, extending beyond vocabulary to include elements like rhythm, tone, and syntax. Notably, it features serial verbs, tonal emphasis, and a lack of subject-verb agreement, which are characteristics aligned with African linguistic patterns. These linguistic contributions are a vital part of Jamaica’s cultural identity and continue to shape the nation’s literature, music, and oral traditions.
Akan, Ga Language(an Akan loanword, Ga has many Akan loanwords and were at one point conquered by the much more powerful and numerous Akwamu-Akan)
Adópé (Dwarf in Ga language, but borrowed from Twi like many Ga customs. In Akan culture, ghosts take the form of dwarves[Mmotia] and apes[aboatia or adopeh] [note the -tia as a Twi suffix to denote a small stature, ghosts in Akan culture and Jamaica are seen as shape-shifters, they can be very big or very small. But are commonly so small they would be microscopic. Akans are the only West Africans that have dwarves as spiritual entities, which are considered to be tricksters. The word is said among the Ga people but the Jamaican application of the word matches the now extinct and former Akan word. An Akan origin for Duppy is far more likely.)
Demon, Ghost, often written in Jamaican English as "duppy"[1][2]
Red Eye
Akan
Ani bere
"envious – direct translation from Akan into English"
Adrue
Akan, Ewe(The Akwamu-Akan also conquered the Ewe and introduced to them concepts such as matrilineal inheritance, stools and of course Akan loanwords the Ewe were originally and still are patrilineal.)
from the twi 'Aburukwa', the smallest drum in Kete music. Kete is a form of war drumming that originated with the Asante people, then spread to other Akans. In Jamaica. It is called Buru.
Opete; archaic but preserved by the maroons, now replaced by John Crow, a Fante slave trader named John Correntee (Kurentsir). Contemporary Jamaicans use the term John Crow to mean vulture and as an insult to mean a traitor or evil person.
