Ghosts, Souls, and Ancestors: Power of the Dead Voodoo & Vampires Ch8 Lehman & Myers

Ghosts, Souls, and Ancestors: Power of the Dead Religions universal belief of life after death Universal belief in immortality across cultures Degree of interaction of living vs. dead varies among cultures Human basic need to believe in ghosts & worship ancestors Two attitudes about the dead Left the society Fear their return Ancestor as ghosts Power of the dead Remain active in society A concern for ancestors by the living

Ghosts, Souls, and Ancestors Why do people believe in these? Duality: good vs. evil Explanation for misfortune Fear (social function): social control Folklore Media Authority/power

Zombies Voodoo (Vodoun) from Haiti Religious practice with priests and ceremonies. High reliance on secret societies Zombies are undead people animated dead by a Voodoo priest to become slaves. Ethno biologist Wade Davis investigated the drug Main ingredient was tetrodotoxin Causes paralysis Voodoo priest returns to dig up the body The terrified person obeys the priest without argument

Voodoo by McCarthy Brown 80 to 90% of people in Haiti- traditional religious system Voodoo- African based with Catholic influences 3 categories: lemo, lemiste, & lemarasa Languages Loosely organized priesthood Goal Urban vs. rural

Voodoo by McCarthy Brown African Influence Roman Catholic Influence Voodoo Spirits View of the person The Dead Ceremonies Voodoo & Magic

The Real Vampire by Barber Real vs. Media Portrayal Scientific explanations for vampire conditions Myths Conclusion