Meaning
A yard or compound where a spiritual healer — a 'balmist' or 'mother' — treats the sick and troubled with herbal baths, bush medicine, prayer, singing, and Revival ritual. The balm yard blends folk medicine and African-derived spirituality, and people come to be 'balmed', to seek protection, to have a fortune read, or to be freed from a spell. It has long been a place of healing and refuge in Jamaican folk religion.
Examples
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Dem carry di sick pickney go a di balm yard.
They took the sick child to the balm yard.
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Di mother at di balm yard bath dem wid bush.
The mother at the balm yard bathes them with herbs.
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People go a balm yard fi healing an protection.
People go to the balm yard for healing and protection.
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Dem carry di sick woman go a di balm yaad fi healing.
They took the sick woman to the balm yard for healing.
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Di madda at di balm yaad give har a bush bath.
The mother at the balm yard gave her a herbal bath.
Origin
From 'balm' (to heal/anoint) + 'yard'; a folk-healing and Revival compound. See Revival table, Bush tea.
How it’s used
A folk-healing compound where a balmist treats with herbs, baths, and Revival ritual. See Revival table, Obeah.