A "Jamaican demon" most commonly refers to a duppy or jumbee, which are malevolent spirits or ghosts in Jamaican folklore. These spirits, often associated with the practice of Obeah, can cause misfortune or harm, and there are specific folklore-based methods to ward them off. Other terms like soucouyant or ole higue (a vampire-like creature) also appear in broader Caribbean folklore, though duppy is the most direct term for a Jamaican spirit. 

Duppy (Ghost/Spirit)

Definition: A duppy is a ghost or malevolent spirit that can bring misfortune to a person's finances, health, or love life. 

Examples: The Rolling Calf is a specific type of duppy, described as a large, scary creature that can be stopped by throwing three lit matches at it. 

Origins: Duppies are said to come from people who were evil in life, and they are said to be most active at night. 

Obeah (Witchcraft)

Definition: Obeah is the term for a spiritual craft or witchcraft that is often associated with duppies.

Practitioners: An Obeah man or woman can command duppies and perform other ritualistic acts.

Purpose: Obeah can be used for protection, healing, or harming others. 

Soucouyant / Ole Higue

Definition: This is another supernatural being in Caribbean folklore, sometimes called a "fireball demon". 

Actions: It is a blood-sucking creature that takes the form of an old woman by day and a fireball at night, draining the blood of sleeping victims. 

Weaknesses: It is vulnerable to salt, rice, or sand, which it is compelled to count before sunrise. 

How to deal with a Jamaican demon

General: Planting a duppy's burial site before it manifests is a common way to prevent its haunting. 

Duppy: Crossing a river or leaving a rope with knots outside your door can help deter or trap a duppy. 

Soucouyant: Throwing salt, sand, or rice in front of a soucouyant's house is believed to stop it. If you find its skin, placing salt in the mortar with it will kill the creature.