The Cotton Tree

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Banbury, Rev. T. Jamaica Superstitions; or the Obeah Book. Kingston: Mortimer C. DeSouza, 1894.

Spirituality and the cotton tree are not only connected in Jamaica but in Africa and other Caribbean territories. In Jamaica this huge, enormously buttressed tree is believed to be the dwelling place of spirits of the dead, particularly, its roots and branches. Simply put, the cotton tree is the home of duppies. The cotton tree is also associated with particular spirits such as, “Ol' Higue”, where it is said that she hangs her skin and the Rollin Calf is said to inhabit its roots during the days when it is not roaming.

The idea of duppies inhabiting the cotton tree is a remnant of the English invasion of Jamaica. Legend has it that when the English invaded Jamaica in 1655, the fleeing Spanish buried their treasures and a cotton tree marks the site of these troves. It is believed that the Spanish used a slave to dig the hole for the treasure and when this task was completed he was killed. Therefore the place was silenced forever and his ghost was set to guard the treasure. If anyone tries to dig the spot for treasures, the ghost would cause the treasure to sink deeper, unless that person has the secret password. In addition some misfortune would fall on the person.

Incumbent with the idea of the cotton tree representing a habitation for the dead, it is believed that communication with the dead/spirits is possible. Obeah and myal are two Jamaican traditions that associate with spirits and therefore make use of the cotton tree in different ways. It is said that obeah men use the cotton tree to cast an evil spell on a person; by driving a nail into the tree and calling upon an evil spirit to cast the person’s soul from their body and dwell in the cotton tree. In this case the cotton tree is used for ‘soul catching’. Myal on the other hand uses the cotton tree to free the ‘soul’. In myal tradition believers sprinkle rum, play drums and shakers and dance at and around the cotton tree.

Owing to the cotton tree’s association with duppies one has to take great precautions when handling a cotton tree. If a canoe is being dugout from it the cutter must know the ritual for this task, so that harm does not befall him. If a cotton tree is be cut down, a libation of rum (chickens and corns in some cases) must be poured and the cutters deeply imbibe, this serves to appease the spirits and ensure the safety of the cutters and users of the felled tree.