1. Caribbean Folklore:
* Ghost or Spirit: In Caribbean folklore, "jumbie" most commonly refers to a malevolent spirit or ghost, often associated with mischief, haunting, or even death.
* Zombie: In some Caribbean cultures, "jumbie" can also refer to a zombie - a reanimated corpse.
2. Other English-Speaking Regions:
* Any Spirit: In other English-speaking regions, "jumbie" can be used more broadly to refer to any type of spirit or ghost, though it's not as common as in the Caribbean.
3. Colloquial Slang:
* Crazy or Unhinged: In some contexts, "jumbie" can be used colloquially to describe someone who is crazy, eccentric, or unhinged.
Origin:
The word "jumbie" is thought to have originated from the Twi word "djumbie", meaning "spirit" or "ghost", which was brought to the Caribbean by enslaved Africans from West Africa.
In short, "jumbie" generally refers to a ghost, spirit, or zombie, primarily in Caribbean cultures. It can also have other meanings depending on the context.