The Making of Living Zombies in Haiti: “Zombification Condemns You to Worse Than Death,” Says a Forensic Doctor

On the occasion of an exhibition on zombies at the musée du quai Branly since October 8, 2024, a forensic doctor and archaeologist returned to the origins of this myth with our colleagues. And in particular: the creation of living zombies in Haiti.

A myth inspired by a reality marked by cruelty. In Haiti, secret societies offer to render justice to the living in a sordid manner, poses the musée du quai Branly. At the origin of this investigation, the work of Philippe Charlier, archaeologist and forensic doctor, who deciphers this practice with France Inter.

As early as 1970, doctors had managed to prove that certain "shamans" could apparently cause death using a potion. Applying divine sanctions, they punished Haitians by faking their death in order to bury them alive, explains the BBC. The official number of zombies on the island is 1,000 to 1,500, says 20 minutes.

A Voodoo Punishment

According to Philippe Charlier, in Haiti, there are two options for obtaining justice: file a complaint and hope for a trial. Or: call on a secret society at the risk of being buried alive.

Second option. The bizango society – descendants of slaves who honor the voodoo cult – is specialized in “parallel justice”. On seven occasions, the plaintiff must explain why he believes that someone has done something wrong, and why he, on the other hand, is innocent.

If he can convince bizango, no problem for him. If unfortunately he fails to prove the guilt of others, nor to justify his innocence, the plaintiff risks a lot.

The "zombification"

One morning, he wakes up with itching. His clothes have been poisoned without his knowledge by a "zombie powder". There begins a process "worse than death".

The powder contains three agents: stinging substances that cause itching, neurotoxic substances and a little bone dust, at the discretion of the chosen voodoo sorcerer.

The victim will then scratch himself, creating lesions on his skin. So that the neurotoxic substances pass the skin barrier and poison the complainant. The product will then plunge him into a deep coma, simulating his death.

Buried alive

Two witnesses to the death must then sign a certificate attesting to the individual's death, as permitted by the Haitian Civil Code. The plaintiff is placed in a coffin with a glass window and buried the same day.

The victim sees everything, hears everything, remains conscious throughout the terrible process and watches paralyzed at his own funeral. Until the secret society comes back to the charge, a few hours later, digs the individual up and gives him an antidote.

The complainant is then flogged, taken away from the cemetery and forced to change his name. He then becomes the victim “of a new slavery”, where he must work in rice or sugar cane fields for the rest of his life. Former slaves create new ones.