U is for Understanding Undead-Unknowns – A to Z Blog Challenge

We are pleased to participate in the A to Z Blog Challenge (http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/). The Story Crossroads theme for this year is Beating the Odds…Lucky Folktales Around the World to Brighten Your Day. Each post highlights that the stars aligned and what would have normally been…bad…turned out after all. Considering what we – as humankind – have experienced the past year, how nice is it to remember that all of us can “beat the odds” to some level in our lives.

And we’ll admit now…some are actually myths, legends, or epics rather than only limited to folktales. So is that a type of “loading the dice”? Ah, but the stories were too wonderful to pass by.

UNDEAD UNKNOWNS-

From Jamaica

Underworld beings or strange beings from the unknown are found in any cultures. With Jamaica, duppies are commonly known as unhappy or restless spirits who mainly want to cause harm. Some duppies come in the form of people you once knew and could aim to help. Rolling calves is another strange undead that can be a demon calf wrapped in chains that–well–rolls. These rolling calves can block your path.

What makes the undead dangerous?

The undead…can possibly make you dead or part of the undead itself. So, yeah, can be dangerous. If you survive an encounter with the undead, then count yourself lucky.

50-words-or-less summary:

Woman’s husband died and became duppy. Time passed. Woman remarried. Duppy visited. Hoped to be intimate. She knew it must not be so or she would go barren or birth dead children. Woman escaped. Duppy realized mistake. She could still bear children with her living husband.

That woman was lucky to have two wonderful men in her life. Sometimes one needs to get remarried. And thankfully the duppy figured out he was not alive anymore and let her enjoy life with her new husband.

Finding the Story (or at least the Folklore):

https://www.jstor.org/stable/537633?seq=1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duppy

https://www.real-jamaica-vacations.com/jamaican-folk-tales.html

Please share in the comments…or anything on your mind. While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads has year-round offerings with virtual as well as proper-distanced/masked/outdoors.

We are excited for the monthly All Things Story virtual workshop series as well as the hybrid Story Crossroads Festival on May 10-13, 2021 (then viewing beyond the event to June 15, 2021). Interested in deeper articles and e-workbooks plus stories, activities, and recipes? Then pursue Story Crossroads Memberships.

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See a teaser of our Story Crossroads Academy. While the video has closed captioning, the “Storytelling Basics in 8 Hours” is free and includes American Sign Language.