What Does “Tun Dumpling Refugee” Mean in the Poem Dutty Tough?

>Hey Owen — excellent question! That line from Louise Bennett’s Dutty Tough is one of her most memorable and meaningful. Let’s break down what she really meant by saying people had to “tun dumpling refugee.

In Dutty Tough, Miss Lou was describing the struggles faced by ordinary Jamaicans during a time of economic hardship — particularly in the 1940s and 1950s when unemployment was high and life was rough for working-class families. The phrase “tun dumpling refugee” is written in Jamaican Creole, and literally means “become a dumpling refugee.”

Here, Miss Lou uses humor and vivid imagery to show how bad things had gotten. Dumplings — made from just flour, water, and salt — were (and still are) one of the cheapest, simplest foods to make. So, when she says people had to “tun dumpling refugee,” she’s painting a picture of people so poor that all they could afford to eat was dumplings, day after day. In other words, they had to depend on the bare minimum just to survive.

The word “refugee” though adds emotional weight. It suggests people displaced not by war or natural disaster, but by poverty itself. They are refugees in their own country, struggling against harsh economic conditions. Through humor and rhythm, Miss Lou exposes real social problems — hunger, inequality, and the resilience of Jamaica’s poor.

The fact remains however, that Miss Lou’s strength was her ability to speak truth with wit. She didn’t just make people laugh — she made them think. By saying people had to “tun dumpling refugee,” she was showing how tough life was for ordinary Jamaicans while also celebrating their ability to find humor and dignity even in struggle.

So now Owen, if you’re presenting this in class, I would suggest you say something like this:

“In Louise Bennett’s poem Dutty Tough, she describes how hard life was for many Jamaicans. When she says people had to ‘tun dumpling refugee,’ she means times were so difficult that people could only afford to eat dumplings — one of the simplest and cheapest foods. It’s her way of showing both poverty and resilience. The word ‘refugee’ reminds us that these people were forced by hardship to depend on the little they had, but through humor, Miss Lou also shows the strength of the Jamaican spirit.”

So in short, that line reminds us that Jamaicans have always found ways to survive tough times — with creativity, humor, and unity — even when the “dutty tough.”

Good luck with your assignment my friend.

-Wellesley
P.S. You are welcome to read more about Miss Lou and her works here: https://www.my-island-jamaica.com/louise_bennett.html.

📚 Recommended reading: Discover Jamaica – A Deep Dive into Our History and Culture
📅 Last updated: July 15, 2025
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