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.