Disclaimer: This article explores the origins of zombies, along with comparison to Christianity.
Originally, my intent was to write something regarding food and feeling like a zombie. (That is still in the making.) However, I asked myself what are the zombie origins? Where did this concept originate from? It sourced me to Haitian territory. Haiti is among the most despair of countries, with persons making less than $1.25 per day. Prior to that, Haiti was quite resourceful with crops such as: sugar cane, coffee, and cotton. And in that time period, slavery and religion occurred.
Wade Davis is considered a leading expert of Haitian culture and zombies. He quotes Haitian proverbs-” A white man goes to church to speak about God, and we dance in the temple to become God.” As stated previously, Haiti is extremely poor. Therefore, wealth is unattainable, whereas becoming God is available.
Making of a zombie:
The dead must transition into a spirit. The spirit then becomes an expression of God. In the realm, the dead must serve the living. So, it must manifest and displace the soul of the living, and they become God. Please note, that a zombie is not considered a physical being, and voodoo in general is not practiced with evil intent. In the Haitian culture most are poorly educated, thus learning by word of mouth. Do you see the Christianity yet?
In Christianity, the belief is in a beneficial afterlife with God, the son, and the holy spirit (trinity). Also, in order to transition into this foundation, prior to physical death a gentile must experience a rebirth. In reference to the statement regarding becoming God, in Christianity, God is stated to be an image of man. So, you can see a confusion in the text and translation. Below I made a “salvation chant”- I don’t know what to name it. However, it is what I imagine to be the “rebirth” of a Haitian.
Faux Haitian Chant:
Distill the slave to the shade
Confess the death to the breath
Now a maid you must displace
The soul that walks
To become an immortal that mocks
Salvation Prayer Christianity:
God, I acknowledge my sins. I believe that your son Jesus died on the cross for my sins. I ask for forgiveness and that you come into my life. Amen.
