Zombies have gained popularity in recent years. Movies like
Night of the Living Dead,
Resident Evil, and
Zombie Land paved the way for popular television shows. The most popular show is
The Walking Dead which is now a cultural icon. Not many seem to know where zombie legends came from.
There are some that are at least familiar with their roots in Haitian culture and Voodoo religion. Bokors are Voodoo priests that practice black magic and are said to have the power to create and raise zombies. These priests use a special powder called coup padre. This powder contains a toxin that renders the victim in a state that seems like they are dead. They are then buried by the family until the Bokor digs them up. The victim has lost all memory and becomes a mindless drone. They will remain this way until the Bokor dies
.
What many don’t realize is that the roots of zombie lore are much older and obscure than that. Some believe the earliest origins are in the eighth century. Archeologists believe that the Greeks may have been the first culture terrorized by zombies. They found evidence of skeletons weighed down by rocks or other heavy objects as if to keep the bodies in their graves.
Other archeologists have theories that the Mayan culture may have been wiped out by a zombie apocalypse. There is evidence of widespread cannibalism. There is evidence on bones found in and around Mayan cities of bones torn from their sockets then immediately eaten clean. Further evidence shows entire villages consuming themselves in a matter of days.
Evidence found in Syria shows bodies during the Stone Age that were originally buried were later dug up. The heads were smashed up or decapitated. They aren’t certain why this was done. Many theorize it was to prevent the dead coming back to life.
Placing stones on top of graves was believe to originated out of the fear that the dead might come back to life. Eventually smaller heavy stones turned into one large gravestone.
No matter what you believe, zombies are here to stay. They are embedded in our culture and gain in popularity every day.
To celebrate Halloween, I am giving away copies of my version of a zombie outbreak. Please note there is a mature version and a regular version.
Welcome to Cypress Cove
Blurb:
Dean Reynold's day started out on a high note until he got a call to a murder scene. It was violence, and gore like the hardened homicide detective never saw before. Then everything started to unravel. Seemingly normal people were attacking others for no reason. The quiet little town he grew up in was turning into a nightmare. Dean desperately tries to solve the mystery when surviving suddenly becomes a higher priority.
Claim your free copies
I am a mother, pharmacist and author. I write fantasy, sci-fi, and paranormal romance. I love all things related to books and writing. I am a huge nerd who loves Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings and Dr Who. Capaldi grows on you. If you would like to learn more about me or my work please visit my page or my website .
COMMENTS
Stream
Rebecca Tran shares the origins of zombies (it's not what you think!) on
#OurAuthorGang today! Stop by and check out her fascinating post! And she's posted a book too!!
Ooooh zombies! I'll have to tag my daughter, she loves zombie stories! Great post, Rebecca!!
Today on
#OurAuthorGang, author Rebecca Tran offers history and insight into zombie lore. Bloody good!
Great stuff, Rebecca! I've been a Zombiephile since the mid-1960s. I like how you went back to the roots of zombie lord, which I just recently learned pre-dates the Haitian "era" that many of us are familiar with. On The Walking Dead, the word "zombie" is never used, nor do they use pop-culture references to other shows and movies. Even George Romero avoided using "zombie" until his 4 or fifth film, I believe. More zombies, please!
Great post Rebecca. I learned some things about zombies and the origin of gravestones!
Zombies are not my favorite thing, but it is nice to know the history behind them.
A little zombie history just in time for Halloween
I was never much into zombies the way people are these days. I would get in moods where I'd seek out a good zombie flick from time to time, but I didn't realize it was this big thing until I met my husband. He loves zombies. Great post.
Today, Rebecca Tran offers history and insight into zombie lore.
#OurAuthorGang
Call me macabre, but I chuckled over learning the significance of headstones. Size may indeed matter when it comes to burials.
Now I have learned something new about zombies. I didn't know that. I do believe this exits. Thanks for posting this.
Interesting facts about zombie history!
Ruth de Jauregui originally shared
this
Rebecca Tran shares the origins of zombies (it's not what you think!) on
#OurAuthorGang today! Stop by and check out her fascinating post! And she's posted a book too!!
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