moko jumbie

English

a moko jumbie performer on stilts

Etymology

Possibly from Kongo moko (“curer, diviner”) or from Moko, the name of a person or group of people, with English jumbie, itself from Kongo zumbi (“fetish, spirit”).

Noun

moko jumbie (plural moko jumbies)

1. (Caribbean) A carnival performer in the Caribbean who walks or dances on stilts.