Meaning
The navel — the Patois pronunciation of 'navel'. It carries deep cultural weight through the 'nable string' custom: after a baby's umbilical cord ('navel string') falls off, it is buried in the ground and a tree (often coconut or breadfruit) planted over it, rooting the child forever to that piece of land and home.
Examples
-
Dem bury him nable string unda di breadfruit tree.
They buried his navel string under the breadfruit tree.
-
Mi nable string plant a mi grandmodda yaad.
My navel string is planted at my grandmother's home.
-
Yuh navel string tie yuh to di land.
Your navel string ties you to the land.
Origin
The Patois pronunciation of 'navel'; the 'nable string' (navel string) burial is an African-derived custom rooting a person to their birthplace.
How it’s used
The navel; the 'nable string' custom is deeply cultural (belonging to one's land/home). Compare 'yaad', 'grung'.