Meaning
A black cat — and, in Jamaican folk belief, a creature of superstition and obeah. A black cat crossing your path is an omen of bad luck, and black-cat bones and hair feature in old-time obeah 'work'. Sightings at night, near a duppy hour, are taken as warnings.
Examples
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A blackcat cross mi path, mi hope a nuh bad luck.
A black cat crossed my path, I hope it's not bad luck.
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Ole people fraid a blackcat inna di night.
Old folks are afraid of black cats at night.
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Dem seh obeah man use blackcat bone.
They say the obeah man uses black-cat bones.
Origin
The black cat of widespread superstition, absorbed into Jamaican folk belief and obeah lore as an omen and a magical ingredient.
How it’s used
Carries strong folk-superstition and obeah associations, beyond the literal animal. See [[obeah]], [[duppy]].