Reggae Dictionary!

Irie reggae people! Every week I'll be writing news, curiosities and general information about the rhythm originating from Jamaica that today reaches the whole world; in Brazil it is very strong and gains new followers every day. It spreads through alternative media and specialized media, and every day new bands and specialized media are contributing more and more to its growth. The culture is vast and diverse, and to understand it you need to research and discover more and more each day, so every week I'll talk a little about reggae culture. In my first column I'm sharing a Reggae Dictionary so that when you listen to the lyrics you can understand their true meaning.

SOME WORDS FROM THE DICTIONARY

Babylon: Capitalism, Oppressive Forces, Evil being. Baldhead: One who does not wear dreadlocks and therefore does not follow the Rastafari philosophy. Batty Bwoy: Homosexual men. Beenie: Small Bufu Bufu: Chubby. Buju: Bread. Bumbu: Buttocks. Blood Clot: Menstruation, or the same as F-word. Chalice: Pipe used to smoke marijuana. Coo Yah: Look here! Craven: Crow, ambitious person. Dada: Father. Dreadlocks: Braids, forbidden to cut or wash. Duppy: Ghost. Ganja: Marijuana. Gravalidous: Greedy. Hot-Stepper: Fugitive from the police. I-Tai: Natural, Vital. Irie: Cool. Jah: God. Jammim: Feeling good, having fun. Maama Man: Gay. Myal: A form of white magic (for good). Natty Dread: One who wears dreadlocks, Rastafari. Nagah: Pejorative term for Black person. Nash: Vagina. Obeah: "Traditional African science", related to spiritual problems, curses and divination. Polytricks: Politics. Rude Boy: Delinquent, Criminal. Red: High on herbs. Scientist: Voodoo practitioner. Seen: I understand. Skank: Dancing reggae. Spliff: Marijuana cigarette. Slackness: Lewdness, Naughtiness. Sufferer: Poor person. Satta: Meditate, Give thanks and Pray. Tam: Cap worn by those with Dreadlocks. Tata: Father and also an affectionate term for the elderly. Yaga Yaga: Expression of gratitude, greeting. Youth: Young person, Immature. Zami Queen: Lesbian. Wanga-Gut: Hungry. Zion: Mount Zion, for Rastas it means the promised land.