In the folklore of Guyana, the Jumbee is the ultimate mythological spirit or demon. It stands above the rest and can cover a wide range of spiritual beings. All races of Guyana tend to believe in some form or manner of this frightful spirit, despite the fact that they may tend to be Christians or from other religions. This belief is particularly held by the practitioners of Obeah, an ancient African rooted form of witchcraft. It is the beliefs that people who are evil in life will become a Jumbee when they die to haunt the nights and minds of those who believe. One favorite expression when Guyanese say goodbye at night is “don’t let Jumbee hold you.” Jumbee is always on the minds of many Guyanese walking home at night, especially since stories have been passed down from many years about jumbees who have been seen on the roadsides, only to disappear at a second glance. Walking pass a Cemetery can be especially frightening. The ghost of three time’s great grandfather, Cloot DeNieunkirk, was rumored to have existed at Watooka and Noitgedacht, Upper Demerara, over a hundred years after his death. Stories were told that at dusk, the “clip clop” sounds of the hooves of the white horse which old Cloot once owned could be heard as Cloot made his way home from his plantation. The horse would snort and sometimes whinny as terrified relatives hurried indoors. Some even saw this Dutchman as he rode in the twilight of the evening. Some older relatives also felt “the haunt” of the many slaves that were buried there. Children were brought up on scary Jumbee Stories. Television did not make entry into Guyana until the 1980s and storytelling was a requirement. There was nothing more exciting than a good intriguing Jumbee Story at night. Listening to an older relative lead up to the story’s conclusion was the best part. The conclusion of the Jumbee choking or breaking necks was enough to scare you to hide under your blanket. Any family of the Riverain areas would understand how scary a Jumbee story can be at night. An oil lamp or torch light was not enough to illuminate the blackness of the night. The bloodcurdling sound of the tiny and faint voice of a Jumbee speaking, they said, would convince all non-believers to run like mad.
No matter hold old you get or how times change, the stories of the Jumbee will live on in Guyanese minds.
