The Ginnal

A Series: Jamaican Legends, Superstitions, Myths and Monsters

For this one, I’m making the culture connection on my own and if any of you have information contrary to my assumption, please chime in- I look forward to hearing from you.

I hear the word ‘Ginnal’ - Jamaican word for a trickster or con-artist - and one word always comes to mind for me - Jinn (Djinn, Genie).

Jinn are creatures from early, pre-islamic Arabia and it seems there are some that fly through the air, others that are like snakes and dogs and another that moves like humans.

I’ve read there are three types:

• Amir: A Resident Jinn - they live with people

• Shaytan: A malicious, wicked Jinn

• Ifrit: A really strong Jinn

A Jinn can be a guardian spirit ….but we are familiar with the Genie version….trapped in bottle that offers three wishes for freedom. You can do more research on your own.

The reason I think Ginnal and Jinn are related is because of the Middle-Eastern contribution to the Jamaican tapestry. We have many from not only Lebanon, but also Syria and Palestine who fled persecution under Ottoman rule to arrive in Jamaica.

In my imagination the word Jinn morphed into Ginnal  and today we can see many tricksters on the road, on TV, in government 😂 and elsewhere….pretending to grant wishes or give you something you desire or require.

A.I. translated my prompts into some really fashionable images…lol These are meant to be modern day Jamaican Jinn in modern clothes ….go figure.

I look forward to hearing from you.