Since you asked for my input...heatherthegreatMay 17 2006, 18:40:00 UTC
I like that you've put this together. I enjoy reading essays that take something nebulous and abstract and make it more concrete, more real. I think it's important for people to understand the background of something they are participating in so it will be more authentic (in this case, in motivation and in ritual). I think that your essay is well-written and well thought out; the information is concise and pertinent but it needs a little formatting, organization and perhaps some re-wording
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Re: Since you asked for my input...aethyrfluxMay 17 2006, 19:18:11 UTC
i felt that direct questions would undesireably influence possible responses... I would prefer to share my perspective as an initial thesis and then synthesize new ideas from combinations with other perspectives which people are willing to share.
Hi there. I enjoyed reading your post, but an lj-cut would be a nice thing to add to a post of such length. It just makes things easier when scrolling through one's friends page. :)
Though I knew nothing about all this before reading your Post I must say I am well informed now. You outlined everything in a thoughtful and relatable manner. Very Nice.
The thing about Zombie is that while it looks like a sacrafice, it isn't. It's punishment/judgement by the Bizonge (voodoo secret society), apon an extremely selfish and lazy member of the community. The punished must first be "sold to the society", which is apparently some form of trial-in-abentia.
If they are judged guilty, they are attacked indirectly with a coup poudre (powder spell) made of several toxic substances, which puts them in a narcotic and eventually fatal coma. They are dug up after they are buried, and given another potion; this contains Datura Stramonium (zombie cucumber), which is both an antidote for the neurotoxics in the poudre and a further mind-altering substance (it's also known as Jimson weed, in the US). They are then put to work in fields or other mindless work.
If you haven't read it, I've got a copy of Serpent and the Rainbow that describes this much better than I am. It's a great anthropological adventure story in Haiti, and explains the Papa Doc revolution much better than mainstream works.
although i wholeheartedly concur with Wade Davis's research, i was referring to the word "sacrifice" in a different context... rather than the vulgar sense of the term, which is often used to describe loss, death, or destruction... i simply meant to refer to a process, through which something can be made sacred, such as by inclusion in a ritual.
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Though I knew nothing about all this before reading your Post I must say I am well informed now. You outlined everything in a thoughtful and relatable manner. Very Nice.
BTW, I love the New Orleans Voodoo Tarot! =)
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Safe Journeys, Ranger.
*salutes*
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If they are judged guilty, they are attacked indirectly with a coup poudre (powder spell) made of several toxic substances, which puts them in a narcotic and eventually fatal coma. They are dug up after they are buried, and given another potion; this contains Datura Stramonium (zombie cucumber), which is both an antidote for the neurotoxics in the poudre and a further mind-altering substance (it's also known as Jimson weed, in the US). They are then put to work in fields or other mindless work.
If you haven't read it, I've got a copy of Serpent and the Rainbow that describes this much better than I am. It's a great anthropological adventure story in Haiti, and explains the Papa Doc revolution much better than mainstream works.
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