Jamaican Patwa {or Patois) is a so-called creole language. A "creole" is a language that has been influenced by others. In the case of Jamaican patois, the influences have come from French, Spanish, Arawak, Twi and many others.
Up until today, speaking creole has been widely regarded as "inferior", which is why Jamaican Patois has no convention for spelling and grammar. Thus you can spell it anyway you want it. For instance "brother" can be spelled "bradda", "breda" or "bretha", which only adds to the confusion. Modern dub poets like Linton Kwesi Johnson have taken it as far as spelling nearly every single word alternatively, even when the pronunciation is the same. E.g.: "one another" he spells "wananada".
There are many other varieties of patois, like Haitian patois, Santa Lucia patois, Louisiana patois etc.
Up until today, speaking creole has been widely regarded as "inferior", which is why Jamaican Patois has no convention for spelling and grammar. Thus you can spell it anyway you want it. For instance "brother" can be spelled "bradda", "breda" or "bretha", which only adds to the confusion. Modern dub poets like Linton Kwesi Johnson have taken it as far as spelling nearly every single word alternatively, even when the pronunciation is the same. E.g.: "one another" he spells "wananada".
There are many other varieties of patois, like Haitian patois, Santa Lucia patois, Louisiana patois etc.
Example of Shakira's Un Poco de Amor
lyrics Jamaican Patois verses:
Roots and creation com'again! / So mi guardian, mi guardian mi liff up di plana / Now everybody ago do dis one / Like in down di Caribbean / San Andrés, Providence Island / Liffit up, Mekit nuff affliction / Say goodbye to di worse segregation / Dis a di cage of di new generation / Liffit up to di high revelation
lyrics Jamaican Patois verses:
Roots and creation com'again! / So mi guardian, mi guardian mi liff up di plana / Now everybody ago do dis one / Like in down di Caribbean / San Andrés, Providence Island / Liffit up, Mekit nuff affliction / Say goodbye to di worse segregation / Dis a di cage of di new generation / Liffit up to di high revelation
by Dino March 13, 2005
Term used to describe countries in North, South and Central Americas where Spanish, Portuguese and French are spoken as official languages. (NB: don't mix up the terms "latin countries" with "underdevelopment countries", which are completely different in meaning.)
Although Guyana, Jamaica and Suriname are in South America and Caribbean region they are not latin contries as English and Dutch are their official languages.
by Dino March 11, 2005
The king of Ngola (modern day Angola) had a sister named N’Zinga N’Bandi (1582–1663), or Mistress Ana de Souza, name of baptism in the Catholic church), who served as the negotiator of treaties with the Portuguese. She became queen in 1624 when her brother died, and assigned women important government offices. The Portuguese broke the peace agreement, so she led her largely female army against the invaders and built a strong confederation with neighbor kingdoms to eradicate the Portuguese. She ruled until she died at the age of 81.
The restless warrior Queen Zinga fought fiercely for over 40 years against the colonisation and slavery in Congo and Angola.
by Dino March 13, 2005
by dino September 10, 2004
According to the Christian beliefs, the day of final judgment. The final destruction or dissolution of the world. The same as "fate day".
by Dino March 13, 2005
Mahout is defined as being a person who drives, takes care of and controls elephants. Traditionally, life-time or career mahouts were knowledgeable, highly experienced individuals well-versed in elephant-rearing skills. These were true masters with an intimate understanding of their 'wards'. Men who possessed an exceptional ability to communicate and control their elephants with simple verbal commands and touch. See also elephant-keeper and Cornac.
In India and Southern Asia each elephant is assigned a driver, called a mahout, who formes a bond with his particular charge for years.
by Dino March 11, 2005