Oct 2, 2026 · 43 min · 18 segments
We're kicking off spooky season with a bang, by digging up the real origin of the zombie. In this episode we're on a wild ride starting with the Vodu soul‑theft of the Haitian Zombie, colonial…
The concept of the zombie has deep roots in Central and West African spiritual traditions of Vodun.
Would that be the predecessor to voodoo? It has a very similar sound.
We'll go through kind of it's this stuff is so, so interesting.
It took me very much by surprise, even though I had an idea of where a zombie comes from.
It's so interesting.
I'm doing my best with the pronunciations here.
And they have the Zumbi, a protective talisman or spirit fetish.
Chelsea, I do just have to ask, and I assume you don't have an answer, but I...
Don't assume.
I've got to see if you do.
In the past, I've had an answer to these, so ask away.
Does it have anything to do with that term?
No.
I don't know.
Okay.
It just sounds similar.
So I thought there was a chance that it has something to do with it.
What does it
sound similar to here for
Mzumbu.
The concept of the zombie has deep roots in Central and West African spiritual traditions of Vodun.
Would that be the predecessor to voodoo? It has a very similar sound.
We'll go through kind of it's this stuff is so, so interesting.
It took me very much by surprise, even though I had an idea of where a zombie comes from.
It's so interesting.
I'm doing my best with the pronunciations here.
And they have the Zumbi, a protective talisman or spirit fetish.
Chelsea, I do just have to ask, and I assume you don't have an answer, but I...
Don't assume.
I've got to see if you do.
In the past, I've had an answer to these, so ask away.
Does it have anything to do with that term?
No.
I don't know.
Okay.
It just sounds similar.
So I thought there was a chance that it has something to do with it.
What does it
sound similar to here for
Mzumbu.
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