Island spirits will haunt Blacktip Island Saturday night as the restless spirits, like this one photographed near Eagle Ray Cove resort last year, seek revenge on residents who have wronged others during the past year. (photo courtesy of Joe)
Blacktip Island residents this week began preparing for the arrival of the Duppies of Christmas Past this Saturday night as part of the annual visit by angry spirits seeking revenge on those who offended them in the past.
“These duppies make sure folks don’t get too fat-and-sassy during the holidays,” B.C. Flote said. “Everybody gets all holly-jolly and forgets about bad things they done the past year. The duppies, they the lost souls who was wronged, coming back to get even with whoever wronged ‘em.
“Generally, they don’t do any physical harm, they just scare the bejeebus out of you,” Flote said. “They always visit on the 23rd, right before Christmas Eve, chasing you down the road or howling outside your window to get even, remind folks Christmas isn’t all silver balls and candy canes.”
Island residents take the visits seriously.
“B.C.’s wrong, saying the duppies can’t hurt you,” Fanny Basslet said. “These aren’t just ghosts. They got real, physical substance. One smacked Leen Helm upside the head last year, just because. Big, ol’ shadow, like the three-legged dog, setting right outside the Ballyhoo bar, waiting on him to come out, and BAM.
“Lee had it coming, tough,” Basslet said. “He’s had God-awful luck since then, too, so there’s lasting damage the Christmas duppies can do. Dogs’re usually the first to notice ‘em. Dogs start howling out of the blue, you know a duppy’s nearby, and you best throw sticks behind you and run for cover.”
Others disagreed.
“Them dogs howling is the duppies,” Whitey Bottoms said. “Can’t come in your house, ‘specially if you sprinkle rice around it, but they can keep you up all night with their carrying on.”
Some residents choose to appease the spirits.
“Duppies, they do like rum,” Christina Goby said. “Me, I leave a big glass of Flor de Cana on the front and back stoops, and sleep peaceful all night. Then, in the morning, the rum’s all gone. All us old timers do that. It’s like leaving cookies out for Santa, but different.
“Newcomers laugh and call it superstitious, but if the duppies aren’t drinking the rum, who is?” Goby said. “And how come it’s quiet all night after I set out the rum? And nothing bad happens to me for the next year. Just show the duppies some respect, and they’ll be on your side. Criticize all you want, but it’s a system that works.”
In related news, island authorities say they’re preparing for the annual spike in public intoxication arrests the morning of the 24th.
The Blacktip Times 