What role do zombies play in Haitian Vodou practices?

Zombies in Haitian Vodou practices serve as powerful representations of societal control and oppression. In the context of Haiti's complex history, particularly during colonial times and beyond, the figure of the zombie has been interpreted as a reflection of the oppression faced by enslaved individuals and the marginalized. In Vodou, a "zombi" is often perceived as a person who has been brought back from death by a sorcerer and is forced to serve the will of another, embodying themes of loss of autonomy and subjugation.

This interpretation sheds light on the ways in which the zombie mythos can articulate experiences of dehumanization and the struggle against oppressive systems, making it a poignant symbol in the cultural narrative of Haiti. It acts as a metaphor for the fears surrounding enslavement and loss of identity, linking the zombie to historical and social contexts where individuals are stripped of their agency.

By understanding zombies through this lens, one gains insight into how cultural entities can emerge from and reflect the sociopolitical realities of a community, thereby affirming the significance of the zombie figure within Haitian Vodou.