Folktales of Caribbean Witches, Warlocks and Evil Spirits

The history, heritage and culture of Dominica are a rich and highly superstitious one. Legends tell of the la djables (she-devils), soucouyants (witches), loogahoos (warlocks), and bizarre experiences and encounters with evil. No one believes, yet everyone believes. It is a nation of magic, enchantment and belief in the supernatural. This narrative is but only a drop in the bucket of legends weaved in Dominica, the Nature Isle of the Caribbean.
Some of the stories are short snippets, and some are long and detailed. They are a retelling of what was told and retold over generations. By the time they were told to me and my generation in the late 80s and early 90s, they had evolved. I tell them now to preserve a bit of our amazing Dominican culture. This is the folktales of Caribbean witches, warlocks and evil spirits.

Gizelle George-Joseph grew up in in the village of Salisbury in Dominica and it remains her favorite place in the world. She currently lives in Manhattan, New York with her husband and son. She can be reached at gizelle.georgejoseph@gmail.com.