Small ocean dwelling mollusks that attach themselves firmly to rocks.

Small freshwater fish native to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Often found living in small streams, gutters and roadside drains.

The Great Potoo: A nocturnal insectivore bird found in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.

The Arrowhead Warbler (Setophaga pharetra) is a species of bird in the Parulidae family. It is endemic to Jamaica. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

Centipede; Any of a wide set of many legged arthropods. They are venomous, and their bites may have effects ranging from mild discomfort to life threatening. Their colouration varies with some being black or dark brown and others being orange and blue.

Turkey vulture or black vulture. A large carrion feeding bird of prey with a turkey-like bald red or black head.

The loggerhead kingbird is a species of bird in the Tyrannidae family. It is found in the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and, very rarely, in the United States

The Yellow-shouldered Grassquit (Loxipasser anoxanthus) is a species of bird in the Thraupidae family. Sometimes classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent studies have shown it to belong in the tanager family. It is endemic to Jamaica. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, and heavily degraded former forest.

The Stolid Flycatcher (Myiarchus stolidus) is a species of bird in the Tyrannidae family. It is found in Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical mangrove forests, and heavily degraded former forest.

This species is found only in Trinidad; it is close to extinction. This is a medium-sized cracid, 60 cm in length, and similar in general appearance to turkeys, with thin necks and small heads. They are forest birds, and the nest is built in a tree. It is mainly black with a purple gloss. The large crest is blackish, edged with white, and there are large white wing patches. The bare face and wattle are blue, and the legs are red. The call is a thin piping. The wings whirr in flight.

An edible species of armour plated catfish that grows up to 24.0 centimetres in length. Males grow to a larger average and maximum size than females and, during the reproductive season, develop fat deposits in the pectoral fin and an elongated recurved pectoral spine that often assumes a reddish colour.

A small bird with a bright yellow underbelly. The wings and back are black with small white markings.

The tree and fruit of Terminalia catappa. It is a large tree (up to 115ft in height), often grown for ornamental purposes and the shade provided by its broad leaves. Parts of the fruit are edible, including the inner seed which resembles almonds in shape and taste.

The silk cotton tree (Ceiba pentandra) is a tropical tree of the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae (previously separated in the family Bombacaceae), It is known for the cotton like fibres produced by its seed pods. It features in obeah and other African based superstition and religious.

An edible round, ovoid, or cone shaped fruit around 6-10 cm in diameter, with a lumpy skin. The skin colour changes from bright green to a pale whitish-green as the fruit ripens. The sweet flesh is white or very pale yellow, and has a custard-like texture. Hard , shiny brownish black seeds are spread throughout the insides.

A gourd that is used for utilitarian purposes, and not for food. The skin or shell of the large green fruit hardens to become wood-like when dry. The shell can then be carved and is used to make a variety of items including cups, and bowls and decorative pieces.

Eggplant. A species of nightshade grown for its edible fruit.

Tree and fruit native to the Pacific Islands and Malaysia that was brought to the West Indies in the 18th century. The fruit is large with a rough green skin with small hexagonal markings. Some varieties have a spiky exterior. The flesh is white, cream coloured or yellow and has a high starch content. It is eaten boiled, roasted, or fried as a staple food.

Taro - plant used primarily for its edible root and leaves.

The tree, fruit, and seeds of the Castor Oil plant.

A small, but hot chili pepper used for cooking. The peppers range in colour from green to red.

Inga feuilleei is a legume that produces a podded fruit with a smooth textured, sweet, edible white pulp surrounding the seeds.

Carambola; A fruit with a star shaped cross section. As it ripens it turns from green to yellow. The fruit has a tart taste and is a good source of vitamin C.

Round fruit between 5 and 9 inches in diameter. The fruit has rough brown skin and contains a single large seed. The flesh of unripe fruit is hard and becomes soft when fully ripened. The fruit is edible with tastes ranging from sour to sweet and reminiscent of apricots.

Aloe vera. Valued for use in herbal medicine, as a purgative or [w=washout]washout[/w], and for cosmetic and skin care purposes.

The edible fruit of Annona muricata, a broadleaf, flowering, evergreen tree native to Mexico, Cuba, Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. The flesh of the fruit consists of an edible, white pulp, some fiber, and a core of indigestible, black seeds. The sweet pulp is used to make juice, as well as candies, sorbets, and ice cream flavorings.

Ovoid green fruit that grows in bunches on trees up to 30m high. The fruit typically ripen during the summer. The fruit is related to the [w=chiny-guinep]lychee[/w] and have tight, thin but rigid skins. Inside the skin is the tart, tangy, or sweet pulp of the fruit covering a large seed. The pulp is usually cream or orange coloured.

Pomegranate. Botanical name Punica granatum, is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub or small tree growing between 5 and 8 m (16 and 26 ft) tall

Refers to the fruit of Dipteryx odorata (commonly known as "cumaru" or "kumaru") which is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, that is native to the Orinoco region of northern South America. Its seeds are known as tonka beans. They are black and wrinkled and have a smooth, brown interior. Their fragrance is reminiscent of vanilla, almonds, cinnamon, and cloves.

A popular mango cultivar valued for pleasant taste.

A round fruit about the size of a tennis ball. It has a glossy leathery skin that is either green, purple, or some combination of the two colours. Inside is a purple and white milky flesh that exhibits a distinct star pattern. The fruit is sweet and eaten raw

A homemade frozen pop popular with children. It is made by pouring mixed drinks into small transparent plastic bags, tying the bags to seal them, and freezing. They are normally consumed by sucking a small hole bitten in one corner of the bag.

The fruit and tree of Averrhoa bilimbi. A relative of the [w=five-finger]carambola or star fruit[/w], the tree produces an edible, green, five pomed, cucumber like fruit.

Is a yellowish-green drupe 2.5-5 cm in diameter, containing a single, dark brown, nut-like seed 2.5-5 cm diameter, which is very tough to break. The inside is a dry white filling that has a vaguely sweet taste when eaten. Found on a species of [w=banga-tree]palm[/w] native to tropical regions of the Americas, from southern

Ziziphus Mauritania; A small round berry about 3/4 inches in diameter. The fruit is green and turns yellow as it ripens. Ripe fruit may occasionally develop a rust brown colour and a cracked texture. The unripe fruit is firm and slightly acidic, and grows softer and mushier when it ripens. The berries have a single hard seed.

The tree and fruit of Phyllanthus acidus. The intermediate sized tree produces small, flattened, multi-lobed, berries with a high acid content. The tart yellow berries are edible raw, but most often stewed with sugar, ginger and other spices.

A [w=roti]roti[/w] where two layers are rolled out together and cooked on the [w=tawah]tawah[/w]. It is rubbed with oil while cooking. The layers are then separated making two thin rotis. This can be done with more layers.

A torpedo, oval, or pear shaped fruit. The fruit bears on a large leafed tree up to 10m tall. When green, it is cooked as if a vegetable. The flesh contains an enzyme named papain that serves as an effective meat tenderiser. When ripe it is yellowish-orange in colour. The flesh is bright orange, soft, and sweet. The insides are hollow containing a lots of seeds with each seed contained in a small liquid filled sac. The seeds and the fluid surrounding them have a bitter taste.

A mixture of shredded [w=saltfish]saltfish[/w], oil, onion, tomatoes and peppers.

A sweet treat made from diced coconuts, sugar and spices. The mixture is boiled until thick enough to set and harden when cool, then spoonfuls are dropped onto banana leaves or other flat surfaces.

A dish consisting of mixed meat stewed with capers, olives, raisins and prunes, wrapped in cornmeal, then wrapped in banana or plantain leaves and boiled.

A banana variety known for small sweet fruit.

The fruit of the Flacourtia indica which is a species of flowering plant native to much of Africa and tropical and temperate parts of Asia. The fruit itself is a pome about an inch thick and red ripening purple. It is very fleshy and has 6 to 10 seeds in layered carpels. The pulp is yellow or white and sweet with an acidic tang. It is eaten raw or made in to jelly or jam. It can be fermented to make wine.

A yellow fruit with crisp flesh and a large hollow cavity containing a single seed. The fruit has a strong fragrance reminiscent of rose water. The trees tend to grow in shaded valleys and close to rivers.

Ambarella. An edible fruit growing on large trees up to 30m. The fruits have thick, sometimes leathery skin and dendritic (fibrous or hairy) seeds. While unripe, the flesh is crisp and firm with a tart acidic taste. As it ripens, it turns yellow, becomes soft and develops a sweet taste and fragrant smell. Both ripe and unripe fruits can be eaten raw. It is also often prepared by juicing, stewing with ginger and sugar, pickling with peppers and spices, or made into chow.

A ritually prepared meal of rice intended to trap (tie) a man in a romantic relationship. Women prepare the meal by cooking rice and squatting over the steaming pot allowing the mix of condensation and bodily juices to "sweat" into the rice.

What's up? Whats going on? What is happening?

An extremely potent overproof rum with a fearsome reputation. It is sold under-the-counter (illegally) and usually available during sugar harvest time.

Derogatory term for a person of ill repute.

An exclamation of shock, surprise, anger, or frustration.

Too short - as pertaining to clothing like pants and shirts

To try again but with better or more convincing effort

All fish does bite but shark does get di blame.

all fish does bite but shark does get di blame.

Those with a history of bad behaviour are always the first ones accused

The bird looks so bad ass, just sitting there I wonder what is he looking at...

I used to see this bird of prey in the New Orleans area 70's & 80's

Is this the chicken hawk they call Maldini in creole patna. Dominica

In Martinique, they are called malFini - typo, or different pronunciation of what was probably an Arawak term?

The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a medium sized bird of prey

Any of several species of medium sized birds of prey including the Red Tailed Hawk, The Sharp Shinned hawk and the Broad Winged Hawk.

Does anyone know the etymology, where it comes from? Backra and bekes (thaht we use in Guadalupe) are very close to, are they related?

Both Cassidy (Dictionary of Jamaican English) and Allsop (Dictionary of Caribbean English) say it's a form of the word for "white man" among the Efik people. The word is used throughout the English speaking Caribbean and among the Gullah/Geechee people of South Carolina. In modern Caribbean usage it refers to any person in authority; usually one's employer.

Bakra in Surnamese is white person from the Netherlands.

Bakra means white people. She fader dem a Bakra.

yes we say bakra in belize. it is also considered offensive to be called a backra. it's like saying your spoiled and white. mon yu de wan backra!

Bakra means white people. Suriname was a colony of the English first, before the English and Dutch signed a treaty and it was switched with the Dutch for Guyana. According to my grandma the word was already in existence, but Surinames call most white from the Netherlands bakra, they are the lnes who mostly came to the country.

Bakra actually mean (Back Raw) from when slave masters use to whip slaves over their back until the skin on their back were torn, so their skin became raw. thus came the name Bakra (Back Raw). So hence the name "Bakra Man" - Raw Back Man was the man doing the whipping. I was taught that by a wise old man about 60 years ago, I'm 68 now.

In surinam bakra just stand for white person wich started during time of colonisation of surinam then referring to the white slave owners but then became a word for the white people in general..

I remember hearing that it meant..if you're poor,you sat in the back row, thus backra

Any white person, particularly one in a position of power or authority.

A dictionary of Caribbean life. Here you can find words, definitions, pictures, proverbs and sayings.