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The Evolution of Zombie Culture

Feb 19, 2025

From Haitian Slavery to 'The Walking Dead': The Forgotten History of the Zombie

Introduction

  • The concept of zombies originated from Haitian slaves, who imagined eternal imprisonment in their bodies.
  • The evolution of zombies in American culture diverged significantly from its origins.

Early Depictions and Origins

  • Night of the Living Dead (1968): Directed by George A. Romero, initially referred to antagonists as ghouls.
  • Haitian Roots: Originated in the 17th and 18th centuries in Haiti, then known as Saint-Domingue under French rule.
    • Slavery was brutal, with a high mortality rate among African slaves working on sugar plantations.
    • Original zombie archetype reflected the misery and subjugation of slaves.
    • Belief in death as a release back to Africa (lan guine).
    • Suicide was common but believed to trap souls as eternal undead.

Post-Revolution Zombie Myth

  • After the Haitian Revolution (1804), zombies became part of Voodoo folklore.
  • Voodoo Influence: Zombies were corpses reanimated by shamans and voodoo priests (bokor) to serve as labor or perform tasks.
  • The myth was diluted with sorcery and necromancy, focusing less on its roots in slavery.

American Appropriation

  • White Zombie (1932): Introduced zombies to American culture, featuring white people as part of the legend.
  • Over decades, the connection to Haiti's colonial history faded, and zombies became detached from their origins.

Modern Zombie Culture

  • The Walking Dead: An example of zombies' popularity and their shift towards entertainment.
    • Zombies are often linked with apocalyptic scenarios.
    • Zombies no longer serve as a societal commentary but are consumed as entertainment.

Symbolism and Cultural Implications

  • Originally, zombies symbolized dehumanization and the horrors faced by slaves.
  • The American version focuses on escapism and reinvention in a post-apocalyptic world.
  • Post-apocalyptic scenarios present zombies in a utopian/dystopian setting, emphasizing survival and ethical decisions.

Irony and Transformation

  • The irony lies in the transformation of a symbol of extreme dehumanization into a vehicle for escapism.
  • The original zombie myth was about lack of control over one's body; modern portrayals offer escapist fantasies.

About the Author

  • Mike Mariani: Writer based in Washington, D.C., with works in various prominent publications.