Keeping a man is expensive business. In fact, it can cost a woman up to $40,000 to 'tie' her lover through the services of an obeah man.

And though this sum is quite hefty, THE STAR has learnt that many women are dipping deep in order to ensure that their men stay put.

Recent investigations revealed that these women pay between $20,000 and $40,000 for each visit.

Relationship intact

THE WEEKEND STAR was able to speak with at least two obeah men from Kingston and St Thomas who admitted that the bulk of their earning comes from women desirous of keeping their relationship intact.

"People always run jokes bout woman who tie man, but yu betta believe it ... I see them almost every week, and is them that spending the most money right now," claimed James Richardson more popularly known as 'Father Richie', from Rockfort in east Kingston.

Another obeah man, Joseph Black also called 'Joe Joe' from Bath in St Thomas, made a similar claim. "Nobady nuh waan lonely eno, so di woman dem spen dem money fi keep dem man and not a thing nuh wrong wid dat," he said.

Higher science

According to the obeah men, the practice can be done by themselves or by the women depending on what is needed.

Troublesome relationships require 'higher science' and involves the practical work of the obeah man.

"If is a situation where the man and di woman cyaa really gree but di woman want di man fi stay, dat might require my work so is a higher science dat and dat ago cost more," Joe Joe explained. "If is a case everyting nice and di woman waa tie di man same way, mi can jus gi har some item and tell har wah fi do."

Although THE WEEKEND STAR could not locate any woman who admitted to 'tying' their partner, Joe Joe and Father Richie told numerous tales of their work and claimed that they receive at least four new clients every month.

"Woman lef from all ova Jamaica come link mi, dem nuh stay inna fi dem zone cause dem nuh want nobady fi know so dem go way out," Joe Joe claimed.

When THE STAR enquired asked how the practice is carried out, both men at first demanded payment. However we were able to get a little information.

Bible verses, candles, special powders, oils and even the women's panties are used in the process.

Being THE WEEKEND STAR we had to ask for an explanation on how a woman's panty can be used.

The men say the panty is first soaked in a special oil (which they sell), and is afterwards steamed over a meal which is being prepared for the man. This practice they say is completed with the reading of a bible verse.