The document discusses different cultural concepts of zombies from around the world. It notes that the original zombie comes from Haitian Voodoo, where a zombie is a person whose mind is controlled by another as a slave. This differs from the modern concept of zombies seeking to eat the living. Other cultures have different zombie-like creatures, such as hungry ghosts in China or ghouls in Arabia. The modern American zombie originated from films combining these folklores into the popular image of the undead horde seeking human flesh.

1. By Shelly Longoria
Teen Services Librarian
May 2012

2. Every culture creates its own version of Zombies.
They don’t all want your brains.

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Which type might YOU encounter?

4. Original zombies come from the Haitian Voodoo religion.
In that culture, a zombie is a person who has their mind
controlled by someone else and is working as a slave.
There is no concept there of a “zombie hoard” taking over the
world and coming after the living.
Voodoo evolved from Western African religion – totally
different than what we think of as a “zombie” today.

5. Haitian Voodoo
Priest, a “Bokor”
Click for video
Voodoo Bokor supplies
Alleged Haitian zombie

6. •China – zombie is Jiang
Shi – hungry ghost returns
to attack & devour the
living in revenge for an
improper burial.
•Arabia – zombie is punishment for
living immoral life – the Ghoul – will
call people into the desert like
mermaids/sirens…then eat them.

7. •Scandanavia – undead viking –
Draugr – insatiable hunger for
human flesh – unstoppable
warriors, knows what it is – only
way to stop it is to get it back
into the ground.
•England – Revenant – 12th century
English Cleric was first zombie
hunter William of Newburgh – “one
would not easily believe that corpses
would come out of their graves unless
there were many cases supported by
ample testimony.”

8. How did we get to our concept of modern zombies in the USA?
Click for video

9. So…if or WHEN the zombie plague comes…
HOW WILL WE SURVIVE?
Click for video