About The Concept Zombie

As you know, in this period, Zombies have become quite popular. They are frequently seen in anime, manga, American series, and films. They have even made appearances in Turkish movies. A friend of mine recently requested a detailed article about Zombies, and I realized that I couldn't turn down the request. I immediately started writing.

So, what are zombies beyond their presence in popular culture? Where do they come from? How are they used in various ways and contexts?

When we say "zombie," the first thing that comes to mind is reanimated corpses rising from the dead, chasing after fresh flesh. However, when we delve deeper and explore, we find that it is not as straightforward as it seems.


The concept of zombies fundamentally originates from the Voodoo magic practiced in Haiti. In Haiti, those who practice this magic are called Houngan and Bokor, referring to shamanistic figures (they are not exactly shamans, but we can also call them wizards). These practitioners, who represent the opposing sides of good and evil, are the Houngan, associated with dark magic, while the Bokors symbolize benevolent magic. The female practitioners, known as Mambos, also practice Voodoo. It's not precisely magic; it's Voodoo.

The darker side of magic, performed by Bokors and Mambos, can sometimes bring the dead back to life to scare the living. At least, this is the belief they hold, and the society has embraced it. Hence, they fear Bokors and Mambos, believing that these figures control the reanimated zombies. In various sources, zombies are depicted not as individuals with self-awareness but rather as lifeless puppets manipulated by those who resurrected them, moving as dictated by their controllers.


In this regard, I noticed a similarity in Naruto, where Orochimaru and later Kabuto seem to awaken the dead, but it's not exactly the same.

Zombies, in the context of Voodoo, symbolize an immortal being in the Afro-Caribbean and Creole belief systems. Bokors and Mambos, especially the darker ones, can bring the dead back to life at times to frighten the living. The community believes that these Bokors and Mambos control the zombies. In essence, zombies are seen as undead puppets manipulated by those who brought them back to life. This perspective aligns with the portrayal of zombies in Voodoo, where they lack individuality, do not act solely for their hunger, and are instead controlled by those who resurrected them.

Looking at it from this perspective, I realized that the actions of Orochimaru and Kabuto in Naruto, which seemed like awakening zombies, were not precisely the same.
Zombies, when it comes to Voodoo, are seen as symbols of an immortal human. The Houngan and Bokor, as the dark practitioners, can revive zombies by combining their supernatural powers with shamanistic healing. Zombies, in this context, are lifeless vessels given life by the fusion of natural and supernatural forces. The concept is somewhat reminiscent of the mystery surrounding Voodoo dolls, a theme you may have encountered in various sources. Like Voodoo dolls, zombies are influenced and manipulated by a combination of natural and supernatural forces.

Now, if we step back from Voodoo and focus on the term "zombie," it is believed to have originated from the Kikongo language, specifically from "Nzambi," meaning "God." The word traveled from Kikongo to Haitian Creole, and from there, it became associated with the reanimated dead.

Zombies have been used in various contexts, not only in Voodoo but also in role-playing games (RPGs) within the fantasy genre. To delve briefly into the RPG usage of zombies:

1. Disease or Virus Spread: In RPGs, zombies can be created by the effects of a spell or virus, similar to their portrayal in popular culture. They can multiply by spreading the disease, becoming infectious and freely roaming.
2. Controlled Minions: Zombies can be controlled by someone else's will, typically a necromancer or cleric. These controlled minions act on simple commands and lack cognitive functions, reflexes, speech, or the ability to use tools. In this sense, they are akin to the undead puppets manipulated by Bokors and Mambos in Voodoo.
3. 
   

In RPGs, zombies lack cognitive and reflexive functions. They cannot use the Dodge reflex, speak, or exhibit the ability to use tools. The idea of zombies in RPGs reflects the classic zombie trope, devoid of cognitive functions and controlled by external forces. The essence of zombies portrayed in the Resident Evil video game series is considered one of the best examples in this context.

In the 4th Edition of RPGs, zombies can be awakened by clerics or priests and controlled. They can also be frightened and kidnapped (yes, by frightening them!) for various purposes.
I would like to express my gratitude to my long-time friend Hakan, who has been an excellent companion and provided invaluable insights into RPGs, supporting me in writing this article. I dedicate this piece to him. Additionally, I thank AYMIR for encouraging me to write about zombies, a topic that has captivated my interest.

Thank you for reading.

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