October 18- Zombies

Published By Aaron Perez

Published 10/18/2025

Image Credit: United Artists, Amazon MGM

    When you hear the word "zombie," your mind might conjure images of shambling corpses from horror movies or video games. But the concept of the zombie has its roots in something far deeper and more complex than Hollywood’s flesh-eating monsters. Originating in the spiritual and cultural practices of Haitian Voodoo, the zombie is a profound symbol tied to history, religion, and the human condition. Let’s explore the true meaning of zombies in Voodoo, their origins, and their significance in Haitian culture.

What Is a Zombie in Voodoo?

    In Haitian Voodoo, a zombie (or zonbi in Haitian Creole) is not a brain-hungry monster but a person whose soul or body has been manipulated through spiritual or magical means. There are two primary types of zombies in Voodoo belief:

1. Zombie Astral: This is a spirit or soul (ti bon ange, or "little good angel") that has been captured by a Voodoo priest or priestess, known as a bokor. The soul is trapped in a vessel, often a jar or bottle, and used for magical purposes, such as bringing luck or fulfilling tasks for the bokor.
2. Zombie Corporel: This is the physical zombie—a living person who appears lifeless, stripped of their will or consciousness, and controlled by the bokor. Unlike the cinematic undead, these zombies are not dead but are believed to be in a trance-like state induced by powerful rituals or substances.

    The concept of the zombie is deeply tied to Voodoo’s spiritual framework, where the soul is seen as having multiple components, and death is not an end but a transition. Zombies, in this sense, represent a disruption of that natural cycle—a state of being neither fully alive nor fully dead.

Historical Roots: Slavery and Resistance

    The zombie mythos in Voodoo is inseparable from Haiti’s history of slavery, oppression, and resistance. Voodoo itself emerged as a syncretic religion, blending West African spiritual traditions with elements of Catholicism, among the enslaved Africans brought to Haiti during the colonial era. The zombie, in many ways, became a metaphor for the horrors of slavery.

    Enslaved people in Haiti faced dehumanizing conditions, stripped of autonomy and treated as tools for labor. The idea of a zombie—a person robbed of their free will and forced to serve another—mirrored the experience of enslavement. Stories of zombies likely served as a cultural expression of fear and loss, but also of defiance. The zombie narrative suggested that even in the face of oppression, the soul could endure, and through Voodoo, one might resist or reclaim power.

    The Haitian Revolution (1791–1804), which led to Haiti’s independence from France, was heavily influenced by Voodoo. Leaders like Boukman Dutty, a Voodoo priest, used spiritual practices to inspire rebellion. The zombie, as a symbol of stolen agency, underscored the stakes of this fight for freedom.

How Are Zombies “Made”?

    The process of creating a zombie in Voodoo is shrouded in mystery, blending spiritual rituals with practical knowledge. Bokors, who are practitioners of Voodoo’s darker or more pragmatic aspects, are said to use a combination of magic, herbalism, and psychology to create zombies. While the specifics vary, some common elements include:

• Poisons and Drugs: Anthropological studies, particularly by ethnobotanist Wade Davis in his book The Serpent and the Rainbow (1985), suggest that bokors may use neurotoxins like tetrodotoxin, found in pufferfish, to induce a death-like state. The victim appears dead, is buried, and is later revived in a disoriented, suggestible state, making them appear “zombified.”
• Spiritual Manipulation: In Voodoo belief, a bokor might capture a person’s ti bon ange through rituals, leaving the body as an empty vessel under their control. This process involves invoking lwa (spirits) or using magical objects like talismans.
• Cultural Context: In rural Haiti, where community ties are strong, the fear of becoming a zombie also served as a social deterrent. Being declared a zombie could mean ostracism, reinforcing the power of bokors and the community’s moral codes.

    It’s worth noting that the idea of “zombification” is controversial. Some scholars argue it’s a misunderstanding of mental illness, social control, or even rare medical conditions. Others emphasize its spiritual significance, cautioning against reducing it to mere pharmacology.

Zombies in Voodoo Today

    In modern Haiti, belief in zombies persists, though it’s less common in urban areas where Western influences dominate. For many Haitians, zombies remain a powerful symbol of spiritual and social boundaries. Voodoo practitioners emphasize that true zombification is rare and that bokors who engage in such practices are outliers, as Voodoo is primarily a religion of healing, community, and connection with the divine.

    The zombie’s journey from Voodoo to global pop culture began in the early 20th century, when American occupiers of Haiti (1915–1934) brought back sensationalized stories of Voodoo rituals. Films like White Zombie (1932) transformed the zombie into a horror trope, stripping away its cultural and spiritual roots. Today’s flesh-eating zombies bear little resemblance to their Voodoo origins, but they owe their existence to Haiti’s complex history.

Respecting the Zombie’s Cultural Significance

    For those outside Haitian culture, it’s tempting to view zombies as mere folklore or entertainment. However, in Voodoo, they carry profound meaning, tied to the legacy of slavery, spiritual beliefs, and the resilience of a people. Approaching the topic with respect means acknowledging its roots in a living religion and a history of survival.

    If you’re curious to learn more, consider exploring Voodoo through reputable sources or, better yet, engaging with Haitian voices and practitioners. The zombie is just one thread in the rich tapestry of Voodoo—a religion that continues to thrive, adapt, and inspire

Sources:

Del Guercio, Gino. "The Secrets of Haiti’s Living Dead." Harvard Magazine, Jan.-Feb. 1986, www.harvardmagazine.com/2017/10/are-zombies-real. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

"Zoinks! Tracing The History Of 'Zombie' From Haiti To The CDC." Code Switch, NPR, 13 Dec. 2013, www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/12/13/250844800/zoinks-tracing-the-history-of-zombie-from-haiti-to-the-cdc. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

"Voodoo: The Living Dead Religion of Modern Haiti." Ancient Origins, Ancient Origins, www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/voodoo-zombies-0016151. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Albuquerque, Ulysses Paulino, et al. "Natural Products from Ethnodirected Studies: Revisiting the Ethnobiology of the Zombie Poison." Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2012, 2012, doi:10.1155/2012/202508. PMC, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3184504/. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Baptiste, Costaguinov. "Insights from an Insider: Discover the True Story of Haitian Zombies." Visit Haiti, July 2024, visithaiti.com/haiti-up-close/haitian-zombies-insider-insights/. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Wilkinson, Tom. "268. History of Zombies: From Haiti and Voodoo to the Night of the Living Dead! (English Vocabulary Lesson)." Thinking in English, 30 Oct. 2023, thinkinginenglish.blog/2023/10/30/268-history-of-zombies-from-haiti-and-voodoo-to-the-night-of-the-living-dead-english-vocabulary-lesson/. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.