Depending on which culture you are a part of the word zombie can hold a very different meaning to you. The two most prominent types of zombies are the classic Hollywood horror zombie, but there is also Afro-Caribbean Voodoo zombie. Since the Voodoo zombie is significantly older and has apparently inspired numerous zombie tales I will begin with that.

Within the voodoo religion itself there is often two different zombie types, depending on which part of the world you are in.

A sorcerer or 'bokor' has the power to revive the dead; this is usually done using certain medicines or rituals, which revive the body of the deceased, without the soul, rendering it completely under the bokor's control.

There are also tales within the voodoo religion of murderous zombies attacking any humans in its proximity. Apparently this happens when the soul remains trapped inside the revived body; many tales blame this on the revival ceremony being done improperly or by a very inexperienced individual.

The 'modern' zombie is never usually anything like voodoo folklore. Most zombie tales begin with a strange virus or disease sweeping the nation, or globe, usually affecting the brain, and causing humans to become enraged and murderous. A lot of the 'classic' zombie stories, such as George A. Romero's work or the early 'Resident Evil' series for example, depict zombies as intensely slow moving with extremely heightened senses. Regardless of the fact that they are slow, these zombies are terrifying considering that they seem completely unaware of their physical limitations, and so will continue their pursuit under ant circumstances, with many victims being caught simply because they are in an enclosed space or exhausted.

Within the last few years, however, there has been an improvement on the zombie myth. Films emerged depicting zombie outbreaks in our modern world and the struggle we would hypothetically have to control it.

It was after this that running was introduced. What could possible be more terrifying than a creature that is completely in control of it's body, with an animalistic lust for blood and no reaction to it's physical limitations? I, personally, have yet to find it.

A new breed of smarter zombies streamed onto our screens. They will chase their prey until they catch them, would wait outside a secure building full of humans attempting entry after entry and starve to death that leave. These zombies were still almost brain-dead, yes, but their creators gave them a survival instinct, changing everything. Classic horror zombies walk around moaning with their arms outstretched, slowing perusing their prey, walking blindly into any trap or off any ledge ahead of them, modern zombies on the other hand are also aware of the rules of self preservation, so they will avoid walking off an especially large cliff or into an obvious trap; they are more akin to animals than human.

In conclusion, the 'truth' about zombies depends on whether you choose to accept them as a figment of some writer's overactive imagination, or a real part of a long-survived religion.

Learn more about this author, Lynda Mc Donald.
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