LITERATURE

Hand itching superstition: Why people link itchy palms to money

The hand itching superstition suggests itchy palms can predict financial gain or loss. Explore its history, cultural variations, and modern beliefs.

The hand itching superstition is a global cultural phenomenon that interprets palm irritation as a predictive indicator of impending financial gain or loss. This article explores the historical roots of these beliefs, ranging from ancient Saxon and Celtic traditions to contemporary Caribbean folklore. It provides a detailed analysis of how …

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Turn your back and walk inside your house: The Caribbean superstition explained

Explore the Caribbean superstition to turn your back and walk inside. Find out why it’s believed to protect you from malevolent spirits and bad luck.

The Caribbean superstition of turning your back to enter a house is a preventative spiritual ritual designed to block malevolent entities from crossing domestic thresholds. Rooted deeply in the syncretic traditions of African, Indigenous, and European folklore, this practice serves as a cultural defense mechanism against jumbies or restless spirits. …

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Summertime when July and August were all mine

Marbles summertime

Marc Algernon explores the cultural shift in childhood experiences during the July and August holiday period in Trinidad and Tobago, contrasting nostalgic outdoor activities with modern digital immersion. The narrative details a transition from physically active pastimes, such as marble games, fishing, and hiking, to the contemporary reliance on tablets …

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Manuscript editing: The foundation of a flawless self-published book

Discover why thorough manuscript editing is the foundation of a successful self-published book.

Building a house requires careful planning and the right materials. Imagine handing a mason a pile of unsorted bricks, warped wood, and cracked tiles, and telling them to start building. The result would be a chaotic, structurally unsound mess. Similarly, for self-publishers, your manuscript is the raw building material of …

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Recovery: Scars or Stars: Frankie Mapp’s powerful recovery journey

Discover a journey of redemption, and how faith can be used to find meaning and purpose. Read about Frankie Mapp's book, "Recovery: Scars or Stars".

Recovery: Scars or Stars is more than just a book; it’s Frankie Mapp’s compelling testimony of transformation. From the grip of addiction to the freedom found through faith, Mapp of Carenage, Trinidad, shares his raw and honest journey, offering encouragement and practical wisdom to those seeking healing. As a mental …

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The legend of left-hand dumpling: Tobago’s mystical love-binding folklore

Would you eat it? The intriguing legend of Tobago’s left-hand dumpling.

The legend of the left-hand dumpling serves as a cornerstone of Tobagonian folklore, illustrating the intersection of culinary tradition and spiritual belief within the Caribbean. This article explores the cultural origins of the ritual, specifically its ties to the village of Les Coteaux and the practice of Obeah. It provides …

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Juanita: A bilingual bridge between Trinidadian and Venezuelan culture

"Juanita": Bridging cultures through bilingual storytelling.

“No matter the nationality, ‘Juanita’ is designed to be both educational and entertaining. It highlights major aspects about Trinidadian and Venezuelan culture…” Four colleagues and friends, Bilqees Mohammed, Rayne Affonso, Jesse Buendía Ragbir, and Talia Khan, majored in Spanish together at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine and published Juanita (2024), …

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