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Zombi Fiction: The Most Popular and Influential Zombie Novels and Stories

  • lyamaycampdistu
  • Aug 3, 2023
  • 12 min read


What is a zombı and where does it come from?




Zombı (also spelled zombie, zombi, or zonbi) are fictional creatures that are usually depicted as reanimated corpses or infected humans that crave human flesh or brains. They are often associated with horror, gore, and apocalypse scenarios. But where did the concept of zombı come from and what are the different types and characteristics of these undead beings?




zombı



Definition and origin of the term zombı




The word zombı comes from Haitian Creole and French, derived from the West African term nzambi, meaning "spirit of a dead person". In Haitian folklore, a zombı is a person who has been revived by a sorcerer or bokor, usually for the purpose of slavery or revenge. The zombı is said to have no will or personality of its own, and is controlled by the bokor through magic or drugs.


The idea of zombı was introduced to Western culture in the early 20th century, mainly through books, films, and travel accounts that depicted Haitian voodoo practices. One of the most influential works was William Seabrook's The Magic Island (1929), which claimed to be a factual account of his experiences in Haiti. Seabrook described witnessing rituals involving corpses, graves, and zombies.


Different types and characteristics of zombı




Since then, the concept of zombı has evolved and diversified in popular media and culture, creating various types and characteristics of these creatures. Some of the most common types are:


  • Classic zombies: These are the zombies that follow the Haitian tradition of being reanimated by magic or drugs. They are usually slow, mindless, and obedient to their masters. Examples include White Zombie (1932), I Walked with a Zombie (1943), and The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988).



  • Infected zombies: These are the zombies that are created by a virus, parasite, fungus, or other biological agent that infects humans and turns them into rabid cannibals. They are usually fast, aggressive, and contagious. Examples include Night of the Living Dead (1968), 28 Days Later (2002), World War Z (2013), and The Walking Dead (2010-present).



  • Mutant zombies: These are the zombies that are created by radiation, chemicals, genetic engineering, or other unnatural causes that alter their physiology and give them enhanced abilities or deformities. They are usually strong, resilient, and unpredictable. Examples include Resident Evil (1996-present), Doom (1993-present), Dead Space (2008-2013), and Army of the Dead (2021).



Some of the common characteristics that most zombies share are:


  • Decay: Zombies are often shown to have rotting flesh, missing limbs, exposed bones, or other signs of decomposition. This makes them vulnerable to fire, bullets, blades, or blunt force.



  • Hunger: Zombies are often driven by an insatiable hunger for human flesh or brains. This makes them relentless, dangerous, and attracted to noise or movement.



Infection: Zombies are often carriers of a disease or agent that can infect other humans through bites, scratches, blood, or saliva. This makes them a threat to humanity's survival. How to survive a zombı apocalypse




Zombı apocalypse is a hypothetical scenario in which the world is overrun by zombies, resulting in the collapse of civilization and the extinction of humanity. While this may seem like a fantasy or a nightmare, some experts and organizations have taken it seriously and provided some tips and guidelines on how to survive a zombı apocalypse. Here are some of them:


Tips from the CDC and other sources




The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a US federal agency that is responsible for public health and safety. In 2011, the CDC published a blog post titled "Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse", which was intended to raise awareness about emergency preparedness in general, using the zombı theme as a hook.


The blog post advised people to prepare an emergency kit that includes the following items:


  • Water: One gallon per person per day for at least three days.



  • Food: Non-perishable items that can last for at least three days.



  • Medications: Prescription and over-the-counter drugs that are needed for any chronic or acute conditions.



  • Tools and supplies: Flashlight, battery-powered radio, extra batteries, first aid kit, whistle, duct tape, plastic sheeting, garbage bags, etc.



  • Sanitation and hygiene: Soap, towels, toilet paper, bleach, etc.



  • Clothing and bedding: A change of clothes for each person and blankets or sleeping bags.



  • Important documents: Copies of identification, insurance, bank accounts, etc.



  • Contact information: A list of family, friends, and emergency contacts.



The blog post also suggested people to make a plan with their family and friends on how to communicate and where to meet in case of an emergency. It also recommended people to stay informed about the situation and follow the instructions of the authorities.


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Other sources have also provided similar or additional tips on how to survive a zombı apocalypse, such as:


  • Weapons: Having some weapons for self-defense is essential in a zombı apocalypse. Some of the best weapons are firearms, knives, axes, crowbars, baseball bats, etc. However, one should be careful not to attract more zombies with loud noises or run out of ammunition.



  • Vehicles: Having a vehicle can help one escape from zombies or travel to safer locations. Some of the best vehicles are cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, etc. However, one should be careful not to run out of fuel or get stuck in traffic or roadblocks.



  • Fitness: Being physically fit can help one outrun zombies or fight them off. Some of the best exercises are running, swimming, climbing, lifting weights, etc. However, one should be careful not to overexert oneself or get injured.



Essential items and skills for survival




Besides having an emergency kit and following some tips, there are some items and skills that are essential for survival in a zombı apocalypse. Here are some of them:



Item


Skill


Fire: Fire can provide light, heat, cooking, and protection from zombies. One should have matches, lighters, candles, or flint and steel to start a fire.


Cooking: Cooking can provide nutrition, health, and morale. One should know how to cook food with fire or other methods.


Water: Water is essential for life and hydration. One should have water bottles, filters, purifiers, or boiling pots to obtain clean water.


Purifying: Purifying water can prevent diseases and infections. One should know how to purify water with filters, purifiers, boiling, or chemicals.


Food: Food is essential for energy and sustenance. One should have canned food, dried food, energy bars, or hunting tools to obtain food.


Hunting: Hunting can provide fresh meat and protein. One should know how to hunt animals with traps, snares, bows, guns, or knives.


Clothing


Repairing: Repairing clothing can prevent cold, infection, and injury. One should know how to repair clothing with needles, threads, patches, or duct tape.


Shelter: Shelter can provide safety, comfort, and privacy. One should have tents, tarps, sleeping bags, or building materials to create a shelter.


Building: Building a shelter can protect from zombies, weather, and intruders. One should know how to build a shelter with wood, metal, bricks, or other materials.


Medicine: Medicine can provide healing, pain relief, and prevention. One should have bandages, antiseptics, painkillers, antibiotics, or herbal remedies to treat wounds and illnesses.


Healing: Healing wounds and illnesses can save lives and improve health. One should know how to heal wounds and illnesses with medicine, herbs, or natural methods.


Communication: Communication can provide information, assistance, and socialization. One should have radios, phones, computers, or flares to communicate with others.


Networking: Networking with other survivors can provide support, resources, and security. One should know how to network with other survivors with communication devices, signals, or codes.


Best places to find shelter and avoid zombı




Finding a good place to stay is crucial for survival in a zombı apocalypse. A good place should be secure, accessible, comfortable, and resourceful. Some of the best places to find shelter and avoid zombı are:


  • Rural areas: Rural areas are less populated and less likely to have zombies. They also have more natural resources and less competition. However, they may also have less infrastructure and more wildlife.



  • Military bases: Military bases are well-fortified and well-equipped. They may have weapons, vehicles, supplies, and personnel. However, they may also be heavily guarded, heavily infected, or heavily targeted.



  • Islands: Islands are isolated and inaccessible. They may have water, food, and climate. However, they may also have limited space, limited resources, or limited escape routes.



  • Malls: Malls are spacious and resourceful. They may have clothing, food, tools, and entertainment. However, they may also have zombies, looters, or traps.



  • Schools: Schools are sturdy and familiar. They may have classrooms, libraries, gyms, and cafeterias. However, they may also have zombies, children, or memories.



Zombı culture and entertainment




Zombı are not only a source of fear and danger but also a source of culture and entertainment. Zombı have influenced many aspects of popular media and art such as books, films, music, games, and art. Zombı have also inspired many fans and enthusiasts to create their own zombı-related works and activities such as cosplay, role-playing, festivals, and conventions. But what are some of the best examples of zombı culture and entertainment and why are people so fascinated by zombı?


How zombı have influenced popular media and art




Zombı have influenced many genres and forms of popular media and art, ranging from horror to comedy, from fiction to non-fiction, from visual to auditory. Some of the ways that zombı have influenced popular media and art are:


  • Books: Zombı have been featured in many books, both as the main characters or as the background setting. Some of the most famous books that involve zombı are The Zombie Survival Guide (2003) by Max Brooks, World War Z (2006) by Max Brooks, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2009) by Seth Grahame-Smith, The Walking Dead (2003-present) by Robert Kirkman, and Warm Bodies (2010) by Isaac Marion.



  • Films: Zombı have been featured in many films, both as the main antagonists or as the comic relief. Some of the most famous films that involve zombı are Night of the Living Dead (1968) by George A. Romero, Dawn of the Dead (1978) by George A. Romero, Shaun of the Dead (2004) by Edgar Wright, Zombieland (2009) by Ruben Fleischer, and Train to Busan (2016) by Yeon Sang-ho.



  • Music: Zombı have been featured in many songs, both as the theme or as the metaphor. Some of the most famous songs that involve zombı are Thriller (1982) by Michael Jackson, Zombie (1994) by The Cranberries, Re: Your Brains (2006) by Jonathan Coulton, Monster Mash (1962) by Bobby Pickett, and The Zombie Song (2011) by Stephanie Mabey.



  • Games: Zombı have been featured in many games, both as the enemies or as the allies. Some of the most famous games that involve zombı are Resident Evil (1996-present) by Capcom, Left 4 Dead (2008-2009) by Valve, Plants vs. Zombies (2009-present) by PopCap Games, The Last of Us (2013-2020) by Naughty Dog, and Dying Light (2015-2022) by Techland.



  • Art: Zombı have been featured in many artworks, both as the subject or as the inspiration. Some of the most famous artworks that involve zombı are The Walking Dead comic series (2003-present) by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore, The Zombie Art Project (2010-present) by Rob Sacchetto, Zombie Portraits (2006-present) by George Pfau, Zombie Boy (2010-present) by Rick Genest, and Zombie Walks (2001-present) by various artists.



Some of the best zombı movies, TV shows, and games




Among the many examples of zombı culture and entertainment, some stand out as the best in terms of quality, popularity, or impact. Here are some of them:


  • Night of the Living Dead: This is the film that started it all. Directed by George A. Romero in 1968, this film is considered to be the first modern zombı film and the progenitor of the infected zombı genre. It tells the story of a group of strangers who take refuge in a farmhouse during a zombı outbreak. The film is praised for its social commentary, realism, and influence on subsequent zombı films.



  • The Walking Dead: This is the TV show that made it mainstream. Based on the comic series by Robert Kirkman, this show premiered in 2010 and is still ongoing. It follows the lives of a group of survivors who struggle to survive in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. The show is praised for its character development, drama, and action.



  • Resident Evil: This is the game that made it fun. Created by Capcom in 1996, this game is considered to be one of the first survival horror games and one of the most successful video game franchises of all time. It revolves around a series of incidents involving a bioterrorist organization that creates zombies and other mutants using a virus called T-virus. The game is praised for its gameplay, atmosphere, and story



Why people are fascinated by zombı




Zombı are more than just fictional creatures that scare or entertain us. They are also symbols and metaphors that reflect our fears, desires, and values. Some of the reasons why people are fascinated by zombı are:


  • Fear of death: Zombı represent the ultimate fear of death and the unknown. They challenge our notions of life, death, and identity. They force us to confront our own mortality and question our existence.



  • Desire for survival: Zombı represent the ultimate challenge of survival and the human spirit. They test our physical, mental, and emotional limits. They inspire us to fight for our lives and protect our loved ones.



  • Value of society: Zombı represent the ultimate breakdown of society and the social order. They expose the flaws and weaknesses of our institutions, systems, and norms. They compel us to rethink our values and priorities.



Conclusion




Zombı are more than just mindless monsters that want to eat our brains. They are also complex and diverse creatures that have a rich history and culture. They have influenced many aspects of popular media and art, creating a variety of genres and forms of entertainment. They have also inspired many fans and enthusiasts to create their own zombı-related works and activities. Zombı are also symbols and metaphors that reflect our fears, desires, and values, making us question our own humanity and society.


Summary of the main points




In this article, we have learned about:


  • What is a zombı and where does it come from? Zombı is a term that comes from Haitian folklore and refers to a person who has been revived by a sorcerer or bokor. Zombı have evolved and diversified in popular media and culture, creating various types and characteristics of these creatures.



  • How to survive a zombı apocalypse? Zombı apocalypse is a hypothetical scenario in which the world is overrun by zombies, resulting in the collapse of civilization and the extinction of humanity. Some tips on how to survive a zombı apocalypse include preparing an emergency kit, following some guidelines from the CDC and other sources, having some essential items and skills for survival, and finding the best places to find shelter and avoid zombı.



  • Zombı culture and entertainment? Zombı have influenced many aspects of popular media and art such as books, films, music, games, and art. Zombı have also inspired many fans and enthusiasts to create their own zombı-related works and activities such as cosplay, role-playing, festivals, and conventions. Zombı are also symbols and metaphors that reflect our fears, desires, and values.



Call to action for the readers




If you enjoyed this article, please share it with your friends and family who are also interested in zombı. You can also leave a comment below with your thoughts or questions about zombı. And if you want to learn more about zombı or other topics related to horror, gore, or apocalypse scenarios, please subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on social media. Thank you for reading!


FAQs




Q: Are zombı real?




A: Zombı as we know them from popular media and culture are not real. However, there have been some cases of alleged zombification in Haiti and other parts of the world, involving people who were believed to be dead but later reappeared alive, usually in a state of confusion or trance. These cases are often attributed to a combination of cultural beliefs, psychological factors, and pharmacological agents.


Q: How do you kill a zombı?




A: The most common way to kill a zombı is to destroy its brain or sever its spinal cord. This can be done with firearms, blades, blunt objects, or explosives. However, some types of zombies may have different weaknesses or resistances depending on their origin or mutation.


Q: What is the difference between a zombı and a vampire?




A: A zombı is a reanimated corpse or an infected human that craves human flesh or brains. A vampire is an undead being that feeds on human blood or life force. Zombies are usually mindless, decayed, and contagious. Vampires are usually intelligent, immortal, and seductive.


Q: What is the best zombı movie ever made?




A: This is a A: This is a subjective question that may have different answers depending on personal preferences and criteria. However, some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful zombı movies ever made are Night of the Living Dead (1968), Dawn of the Dead (1978), 28 Days Later (2002), Shaun of the Dead (2004), and Train to Busan (2016). These movies are praised for their originality, creativity, suspense, humor, and social commentary.


Q: How do you become a zombı?




A: There are different ways to become a zombı depending on the type and origin of the zombı. Some of the most common ways are:


  • Being bitten or scratched by a zombı: This is the most common way to become an infected zombı. The infection can spread through the blood, saliva, or other bodily fluids of the zombı. The symptoms may vary from fever, nausea, and pain to aggression, hunger, and loss of consciousness. The transformation may take from minutes to hours to days.



  • Being exposed to a virus, parasite, fungus, or other biological agent: This is another way to become an infected zombı. The agent can be transmitted through the air, water, food, or animals. The symptoms and transformation may be similar to the previous way.



  • Being revived by a sorcerer or bokor: This is the original way to become a classic zombı. The sorcerer or bokor can use magic or drugs to reanimate a corpse or a living person. The zombı may have no memory, personality, or will of its own, and may be controlled by the sorcerer or bokor.



  • Being exposed to radiation, chemicals, genetic engineering, or other unnatural causes: This is a way to become a mutant zombı. The cause can alter the physiology and behavior of a human or an animal. The zombı may have enhanced abilities or deformities.






This is the end of the article. I hope you enjoyed reading it and learned something new about zombı. Thank you for your attention and feedback. 44f88ac181


 
 
 

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