Andrea Hopwood, Contributor
WAYS TO PREVENT A DUPPY FROM MOLESTING YOU:
* If you point at a grave you have to bite your 10 fingers or they will rot.
* Coming home late at night? Turn around three times at the gate so that the duppy will not follow you in.
* Duppies do not like light, so leave a light in the bedroom of the 'dead yard'.
* Duppies cannot count, so you leave 10 coffee beans at the entrance of the room.
* Duppies do not like salt or water, so leave a bowl of water at the entrance and food cooked with salt.
* White rum is sprayed by mouth into grave and sometimes used to wash the gravedigger's face.
* Paint your house a different colour.
WAYS TO PREVENT THE DUPPY FROM LEAVING THE BODY OF THE DECEASED:
* A bowl of salt is placed on the stomach of the deceased.
* Sprinkle coffee in the grave.
* Perfume is put on the body so as to be identified if the duppy returns.
* Money is put in the coffin, and the duppy is instructed to bring back change.
HOW TO PREVENT THE DUPPY OF AN EVIL PERSON FROM ESCAPING:
* The body will be turned upside down in the coffin.
* The body will be buried north/south to prevent the face seeing the sunrise.
* Put pins in the feet of the body so it cannot walk.
* Pin the shirt cuffs and pants legs into the coffin.
WAYS A WOMAN CAN PROTECT HERSELF AGAINST HER COMPANION'S DUPPY 'MINGLING' WITH HER:
* A woman would cut a small amount of pubic hair and place in her companion's hand or pocket.
* Furniture in the bedroom is rearranged. Changing the position of the bed and turning over the mattress.
* Putting an inch (tape) measure on his side of the bed. Tying the inch measure around her waist or hanging it on the door or dresser mirror as a means of protection.
* Placing his belt on his side of the bed. Placing a torn white handkerchief in his hand and repeating the words "This is your pay; you are not to come back."
She can wear either black or red bloomers with elastic in the legs.
WAYS TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM A DUPPY:
* Never let baby clothes stay on an outside line overnight because duppy will play with the baby.
* When a parent of a young child dies, pass the child over the coffin or the person's duppy will follow the child.
* Tie a red bow in the hair of the child or wear a red chemise to keep away the duppy.
* Place a piece of asafoetida gum on the 'mole' of the baby's head or hang it on a string around the child's neck. This will keep the duppy away.
