Duppytober: The White Witch of Rose Hall
by Stephanie Koathes Oct 29, 2018
Halloween might not be a thing in Jamaica, but we do have some amazing, interesting and strange myths and legends in our culture. Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of our snapchatting, instagramming modern life, it’s easy to forget these traditional aspects of our Jamaican life. So, instead of Halloween, let’s make October Duppytober and remember some interesting Jamaican duppy tales and scary creatures.
One of our most enduring and popular legends both here and abroad is that of Annie Palmer, better known as the White Witch of Rose Hall. The story was made famous by Herbert G. de Lisser’s novel, The White Witch of Rose Hall.
According to the tale, Annie who was born to an English mother and Irish father, was trained in voodoo by her nanny while living in Haiti.
Annie was said to be beautiful and diminutive standing just shy of five feet tall. When she was 18 she moved to Jamaica and married John Palmer who owned Rose Hall plantation in Montego Bay, St James.
Legend says that Annie took slave lovers to bed and eventually murdered her husband, becoming the owner of Rose Hall and its slaves. She ruled her slaves with an iron fist.
Annie married twice more and none of her husbands or lovers survived. She was dubbed the White Witch for her cruelty and the rumours of her voodoo powers.
The feared mistress of Rose Hall was eventually killed by Takoo, a powerful obeah man, whose granddaughter Annie had cursed.
The legend of the White Witch of Rose Hall has brought many visitors to the old plantation house in search of paranormal activity. Photos taken in her bedroom have been said to show the appearance of a spectral face.
Ghost Adventurers from the Travel Channel even did a two-day lockdown in the house seeking out Annie’s ghostly presence.
Rose Hall Great House is considered one of the most haunted places in Jamaica. You can stop and have some witch’s brew in the basement tavern while watching out for any duppies that might show up!
Sources: Travel Channel, Jamaica Travel and Culture