The World

Dominica, the
Nature Isle

The story unfolds on the island of Dominica — a small, mountainous island in the Eastern Caribbean, where rainforest meets the sea and traditions run deep.

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Key Locations

Click the markers to explore the key locations from the story. The village of Pagua Bay sits on the northeast coast of Dominica, where the mountains meet the sea.

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Language & Culture

Glossary

The world of Pagua Bay is alive with creole language, folklore, and traditions. Here are the words and concepts that give the story its voice.

Obeah West African

A system of spiritual practices rooted in African traditions, involving healing, divination, and sorcery. Feared and respected throughout the Caribbean.

Nine Night West African / Caribbean

A Caribbean funeral tradition where mourners gather for nine nights after a death to celebrate the life of the deceased, share stories, and guide the spirit to rest.

Kalinago Indigenous

The indigenous people of Dominica (and other Eastern Caribbean islands), formerly called "Caribs." They maintain their own territory and cultural traditions on the island.

Bataka Kalinago

The Kalinago community settlement area. In the novel, it represents the world Ann comes from — distinct from the main village of Pagua Bay.

Bois Creole / French

Stick-fighting, a traditional martial art and competitive sport in the Caribbean. Matches are accompanied by drumming and chanting.

Manicou Creole

The Dominican Creole word for opossum. A common wild animal in Dominica, sometimes hunted for food.

Jablesse Creole / French

A she-devil or evil spirit in Caribbean folklore who appears as a beautiful woman to lure men to their doom. One foot is a cloven hoof.

Ti Punch French Caribbean

A small, strong rum drink made with white rum, lime, and cane sugar. The social drink of the French Caribbean.

Creole Caribbean

Both the mixed-heritage culture of the Caribbean and the French-based language (Kwéyòl) spoken in Dominica alongside English.

Calypso Trinidadian

A genre of music originating in Trinidad, known for its witty, satirical lyrics about social and political issues. Popular throughout the Eastern Caribbean.

Soucouyant Caribbean folklore

A shapeshifting Caribbean folklore creature — an old woman who sheds her skin at night and flies as a ball of fire, sucking the blood of victims.

Dasheen Caribbean

A root vegetable (taro) widely cultivated and eaten in Dominica. A staple of Dominican cuisine.

Cultural Traditions

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Nine Night

Central to the novel's plot, the Nine Night is a Caribbean funerary tradition with roots in West African culture. For nine nights after a death, the community gathers at the home of the deceased to sing, tell stories, play games, and share food and drink. It is both a wake and a celebration — a way of keeping the spirit company as it transitions to the afterlife. On the ninth night, the spirit is believed to depart. In Secrets of Pagua Bay, the Nine Night vigil becomes the crucible where the village's secrets are finally confronted.

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The Kalinago People

Dominica's Kalinago (formerly called Caribs) are the last remaining indigenous community in the Eastern Caribbean. They have their own territory on the island's northeast coast, where they maintain traditional crafts, boat-building, and spiritual practices. In the novel, Ann's Kalinago heritage is both a source of strength and a target of prejudice — her love for Vick is seen as transgressive not only because of class but because of the deep cultural divide between the Kalinago community and the village.

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Obeah

Obeah — the system of spiritual healing, divination, and sorcery practiced throughout the Caribbean — plays a subtle but important role in the story. Neither purely good nor evil, obeah is woven into the fabric of daily life in Pagua Bay. Characters consult obeah practitioners for protection, revenge, and guidance. The novel treats obeah with the respect and complexity it deserves — not as superstition, but as a living spiritual tradition.