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Zombies (Encore)

Oct 29, 2025
Explore the intriguing world of zombies, from their surprising origins in Haitian culture to their evolution in modern media. Discover how early African spiritual traditions shaped the concept and how voodoo practices contributed to the mythology. Learn about the scientific basis behind the infamous 'zombie powders' and how classics like Night of the Living Dead turned zombies into the iconic flesh-eating monsters we know today. Finally, delve into how these undead tales reflect societal anxieties and even teach preparedness!
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INSIGHT

Zombies Are A Modern Cultural Invention

  • Modern fictional zombies are a recent cultural invention distinct from ancient undead myths.
  • Today's zombies trace culturally specific roots rather than universal folklore.
INSIGHT

Haitian Roots Shaped Zombie Beliefs

  • The familiar zombie archetype originated in Haiti amid slavery and cultural blending.
  • Enslaved Africans combined their spiritual traditions with Catholicism, creating new beliefs.
INSIGHT

Zombies As Social And Spiritual Concepts

  • Haitian voodoo reframes souls, ancestors, and the afterlife differently than Western views.
  • Zombies functioned as a social and spiritual concept tied to ritual and control.
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