Jamaica

The Caribbean culture is filled with mysticism, folklore and a great deal of superstition. Many believe these ideologies are “mullarkey” and just the ravings of “country people”.

Jamaica’s mystique has gained notoriety, partly because of its tales of ghosts, witches and bedlam. Each year many tourists flock to Jamaica because they have heard about the infamous “Annie Palmer”, the “white witch” of Rosehall. She came to Jamaica to seek her fortune at the bidding of a Soothe Sayer. She was successful at her goal, marrying a wealthy, English land baron living in Jamaica. However, after gaining wealth, power and prestige, the 4ft., petite woman became a mini tyrant which caused her slaves to have an uprising against her. The rebellion resulted in her death.

Her spirit to rule and take charge was so strong, that many say, she is still seen roaming around the halls of the Great House. As a child, I read many stories of Annie Palmer, but I never gave any credence to them because I was taught not to believe in the “Boogey Man”.

After being away from Jamaica for many years, I went to visit my Granny Gheeta. As we sat on the patio, talking about Jamaica and the changing times, I received a call from a few friends to accompany them on a journey to “Rose Hall”, the former residence of Annie Palmer.

I was quite ambivalent, because after all this time, Annie Palmer and her legend was just folklore and conjecture. I was also engrossed in a deep conversation with Granny Gheeta, and felt that it was more interesting than going sight-seeing. After ending the phone call, I asked Granny what she thought of me going to visit Rose Hall.

She said, “Go, there, you will find your strengths and true gift.”

I chuckled, “Yeah, Granny, you mean my strengths for good tourist bargains and souvenirs? I just hope there aren’t any duppies running around.

She smiled calmly, “Just go, and you’ll know once you are there.”

I responded quite matter-of-factly as I prepared for my journey to “Boo-Ville”.

“Sure, sure, Granny, if I am not back by a certain time, don’t hesitate to send the troops.”

Granny Gheeta winked cleverly at me.

As my entire group and I ascended to the hill of Rose Hall, I immediately felt chills. The house had a powerful lure all its own. It was immaculately maintained from the death of Annie Palmer until the present time. Although, I was beginning to feel the effects of her presence in the house, I was still a skeptic. I just kept saying, “You know, Jamaicans have a flair for the dramatic, this is just a spoof.”

Rose Hall was very grandiose, with several bedrooms, huge dining areas and the infamous cellar, where Annie Palmer was said to have experienced trysts with the male slaves.

I perused each room diligently, soaking up the charm and sinister feelings they had to offer. However, once I entered Ms. Palmer’s bedroom, I knew the tales were no longer folklore. Her presence became real, I turned around to see if my group was around but they had vanished in another direction.

I was in the middle of her bedroom, while the chandelier started shaking, a great wind began to whirl. It was as if her spirit had recognized mine. I remembered my Granny used to always say, “Thank the spirits for allowing you to invade their space.”

So I did just that, and departed quietly from the room. I descended the staircase to the backyard where she was buried, and I saw an apparition of a little woman, with long brown hair in a white, Victorian nightgown running across the field.

I had never seen any pictures of Annie Palmer before, so when I inquired about her appearance to one of the Tour Guides, she confirmed the image I had viewed was the likeness of Annie Palmer.

Upon my departure from Rose Hall I knew, The Legend of Annie Palmer was not just folklore. It was real. Her spirit still lived in the Great White House. I left the house a bit shaken and stirred, but had it not been for the coaxing of Granny Gheeta, I probably would not have understood the experience.

The few moments of conversation that we experienced prepared me for the revelation of my god-given “gift”.

Once I returned home and told Granny Gheeta of my experience, she never questioned any of the details. It was a quiet understanding between us, it was my rite of passage.

At that moment, I felt compelled to ask Granny Gheeta what was her thoughts on Ghosts and Spirits.

She responded, “I believe that souls who are troubled when they die, remain unrested. They usually roam for closure.”

That simple answer made me really think. How many times has it been exposed, when someone dies unexpectedly, family members report seeing them roaming around? Then, after thorough investigations, it is revealed that their death was unnatural or suspicious.

Granny began telling me the story of Chandrai Mittal, a beloved acquaintance, who had died suddenly. When the rest of her family members went to the house to retrieve her body, they had found out that all her private belongings had been ransacked and her precious jewels had been taken. As far as they knew she lived alone. Then, it was revealed that in the later days of her life she had taken in a border who frightened her to death. It was common knowledge that Chandrai Mittal had a weak heart, so basically all the border had to do was set the stage and circumstance.

Granny sighed as she told the story, but then she smiled serenely, “Anyway, justice was served, about ten days later they found the little vagabond, dead, hanging off his bed with a crick neck. Many people in Jamaica say that the duppy of Chandrai Mittal gave him a visit and “box” the living daylights out of him. Magli, that’s why one should never dawdle or mess with dead peoples’ things. The spirits are always watching.

Granny Gheeta was a quiet woman with little words to say, but when she did voice her opinion it was prophetic.

Therefore, as I write this Granny story a few days after the death of Michael Jackson, I can’t help but hope and pray that he too will get his justice. In death, the soul has invisible powers, free to roam and create havoc.

I believe that eventhough he was not able to clear his name in Life, that the power of the Almighty will give him the chance to do it in death.

So rest in peace Prince Michael, Jamaicans loved you, believed in you and always will…………