Lecture on the History of Zombies

Overview

• Presenter: Dr. Emily Zarka, Monstrum.
• Series: Three-part YouTube series culminating in a one-hour PBS documentary.
• Focus: The long and complex history of zombies divided into three types.

Origin of Zombie Lore

Early African Spiritual Practices

• Voodoo vs. Vodou:
  • Vodou is a spiritual practice with roots in West Africa.
  • Distinction between voodoo and vodou, often misunderstood in popular culture.

Historical Context

• West African Influence:
  • Enslaved Africans, brought to the Caribbean, particularly Haiti, contributed to Vodou’s development.
• Colonial Impact:
  • Enslaved populations worked on plantations; Vodou evolved as a spiritual response to oppression.

Spiritual Elements in Vodou

• Soul Components:
  • Tibonage (Petitbonage): Controls personality, uniqueness, consciousness.
  • Grobonage: Controls bodily functions.
• Bokor:
  • Term for practitioners using Vodou for malicious intent, sometimes seen negatively.
• Zombie Creation:
  • Concept of capturing the soul (tibonage) leading to a state of zombification.
  • Allegory for colonialism and loss of freedom.

Zombie and Cultural Representation

Early Perceptions

• Haitian Revolution Impact:
  • Voodoo used as spiritual empowerment against oppression.
• American Occupation of Haiti (1915):
  • Stories of zombies brought back by military personnel amplified misconceptions.

Media Influence

• Literature and Film:
  • William Seabrook's "The Magic Island" (1929): Portrayed exaggerated zombie tales.
  • "White Zombie" (1932 film): Marked first significant portrayal of zombies in American cinema.
  • August Derleth's "The House in the Magnolias" (1932): Reinforced fears and stereotypes.

Modern Interpretations

• Wade Davis' "The Serpent and the Rainbow" (1980s):
  • Explored claims of real zombies through Vodou practices.
  • Debate over scientific validity of zombie powders.

Social and Cultural Commentary

• Racial and Religious Stereotypes:
  • Zombie myths often tied to racial fears, segregation, and colonial narratives.
• Misrepresentation of Vodou:
  • Vodou often portrayed negatively in media, overshadowing its cultural significance.

Conclusion

• Upcoming Episodes:
  • Exploration of how the concept of the zombie evolved into modern depictions.
• Acknowledgements:
  • Support from PBS and Target.
• Engagement:
  • Encouragement to participate in PBS American Portrait project.

Note on Further Episodes

• Next Focus: The transformation of the zombie myth from spiritual lore to flesh-eating undead.

This lecture provides a detailed historical and cultural analysis of the zombie's origins and its evolution in media and society, emphasizing the importance of understanding Vodou's role and the impact of colonial narratives on the perception of zombies.