does this explain the so-called "voodoo zombie," a person who has died,
been raised from his grave, and is doomed to spend eternity as a slave
of the living? Yes, it is trne that the word "zombie" originally comes
from the Kimbnndn word "nzfimbe," a term describing a dead person's
soul, and yes, zombies and zombification are integral parts of the Afro-
Caribbean religion known as voodoo. However, the origin of their name
is the only similarity between the voodoo zombie and the viral zombie.
Although it is said that voodoo houngans (priests) can turn humans into
zombies by magical means, the practice is rooted in bard, undeniable
science. "Zombie powder," the tool used by the houngan for zombification,
contains a very powerful neurotoxin (the exact ingredients are a
closely guarded secret). The toxin temporarily paralyzes the human
nervous system, creating a state of extreme hibernation. With the heart,
lungs, and all other bodily functions operating at minimal levels, it
would be understandable if an inexperienced coroner declared the paralyzed
subject to be dead. Many humans have been buried while in such
a state, only to awaken screaming in the pitch darkness of their coffin.
So what makes this living human being a zombie? The answer is simple:
brain damage. Many who are buried alive quickly use up the air
inside their coffins. Those that are recovered (if they are lucky) almost
always suffer brain damage from lack of oxygen. These poor souls
shamble about with little cognitive skills, or, indeed, free will, and are
often mistaken for the living dead. How can yon distinguish a voodoo
zombie from the genuine article? The telltale signs are obvious.
1. Voodoo zombies show emotion. People suffering from zombie
powder-induced brain damage are still capable of all normal human
feelings. They smile, cry, even growl with anger if hurt or otherwise
provoked (something real zombies would never do).
2. Voodoo zombies exhibit thought. As has been stated before, when
a real zombie encounters you it will immediately home in like a
smart bomb. A voodoo zombie will take a moment to try to figure
out who or what you are. Maybe it will come toward you, maybe it
will recoil, maybe it will continue its observation as its damaged
brain attempts to analyze the information given it. What a voodoo
zombie will not do is raise its arms, drop its jaw, unleash a hellish
moan, and stumble directly toward you.
3. Voodoo zombies feel pain. A voodoo zombie that trips and falls
will undoubtedly hold its bruised knee and whimper. Likewise, one
already suffering from some other wound will nurse it, or, at the
very least, be aware of the wound's existence. Voodoo zombies will
not ignore deep gashes in their bodies like a real zombie would.
4. Voodoo zombies recognize fire. This is not to say that they are afraid
of open flames. Some that have suffered severe brain damage may not
remember what lire is. They will stop to examine it, perhaps even reach
out to touch it, hut they will recoil once they realize it causes pain.
5. Voodoo zombies recognize their surroundings. Unlike real zombies,
who only recognize prey, voodoo zombies will react to sudden
changes in light, sound, taste, and smell. Voodoo zombies have been
observed watching television or brightly flashing lights, listening to
music, cringing at thunder, and even taking notice of one another.
This last fact has been critical in several cases of mis-identification.
Had the zombies in question not reacted to each other (they looked
at each other, made noises, even touched each other's faces), they
might have been accidentally exterminated.
6. Voodoo zombies do NOT have bypersense. A human who has suffered
the debilitating effects of zombie powder is still a sightdependent
human. He cannot operate perfectly in the dark, hear a
footstep at 500 yards, or smell a living being on the wind. Voodoo
zombies can actually be surprised by someone walking up behind
them. This is not recommended, however, as a frightened zombie
might react in anger.
7. Voodoo zombies can communicate. While this is not always the
case, many of these individuals can respond to audiovisual signals.
Many understand words; some even comprehend simple sentences.
Many voodoo zombies possess the ability to speak, simply, of
course, and rarely for extended conversations.
8. Voodoo zombies can be controlled. While not always true, many
brain damaged humans have lost much of their self-realization,
making them very susceptible to suggestion. Simply shouting for a
subject to halt or even go away can he enough to get rid of a voodoo
zombie. This has created the dangerous situation of confused people
believing they could control or train true zombies. Several times
headstrong humans have insisted they could simply command their
living dead attackers to stop. As cold, rotting hands grabbed their
limbs and dirty, worn teeth bit into their flesh, these people discovered,
too late, what they were truly dealing with.
These guidelines should give you a good idea of how to tell a voodoo
zombie from a true zombie. One final note: Voodoo zombies are
almost always encountered in sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean,
Central and South America, and the southern United States.
Although it is not impossible to find someone who has been turned
into a zombie by a houngan elsewhere, the chances of such an
encounter are slim.
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