Duppy

A type of ghost raised by people of the West Indies to perform some service, usually of revenge. A duppy is raised by calling the name of a dead person continuously over a grave until the duppy arises through the earth and awaits instructions. Ideally, a duppy should be a relation of the caller, because non-related duppies may attack him instead of doing his bidding.

A duppy does not seem to be capable of performing useful tasks, and even when ordered to attack someone it can only cause convulsions by touching him or her. When it has performed the task it should be rewarded by placing rum and tobacco on the grave.

Anyone who has reason to fear duppy-attack may keep them away by sprinkling tobacco seed around the house.