Zombie essay

Essentially, it is a misprint, but the Oxford English Dictionary tells that the origin of the word “zombie” derives from the Kongo words “nzambi” (god) and “zumbi” (fetish). Also, in Haitian folklore, a zombie or “zonbi” is a corpse raised from the dead, usually by witchcraft (Oxford English Dictionary).

In the following paragraphs, I will flesh out the word “zombie” in its intricacies in order for readers to comprehend what this word means to us on a more profound level. The English language usage of the word “zombie” first appeared in writing in 1819 when poet Robert Southey was putting together a history of Brazil.

Whether or not this is tied to the term’s West African roots is unclear, but it is most likely connected to the western interpretation of a zombie devoid of its voodoo history. Often, when someone wants to refer to themselves as a zombie, he or she even puts on an act as if he or she is an actual zombie.

This makes the zombie not only a fascinating study of our country’s historical fears but also a window into how foreign ideas adopt new meaning when stripped of their original context over time” (Zarracina, Zachary Crockett and Javier).