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zombiism

zombiism

1 9.9
A belief in some communities that magic can turn people into zombies
  • noun
  • /ˈzɑːmbiˌɪzəm/
: zombismo
  • Anthropologists studied the rituals and stories associated with zombiism in rural communities.

Examples

  • The museum exhibit explored the cultural roots of zombiism in Caribbean folklore.

  • In many Haitian communities, zombiism is seen as a real threat, believed to bewitch individuals against their will.

  • Some films draw inspiration from traditional beliefs in zombiism and supernatural transformation.

  • Many cultures believe in zombiism as a form of sorcery.

  • The concept of zombiism is fascinating to some anthropologists.

  • The local folklore explained zombiism as a powerful magic that could revive the dead as mindless servants.

  • Cultural myths about zombiism often involve rituals that are believed to harness dark forces.

Surface Forms

zombiism singular
zombiisms plural

Morphology

zombiism = zombie (transparent) = zombie + ism

The sense refers to the belief or practice concerning zombies, which is a direct semantic role of '-ism' (belief/practice) attached to 'zombie'.

Etymology

Zombiism combines zombie with the ending -ism, which can mean 'a belief or practice'. Zombie comes from Caribbean and West African traditions about people being turned by magic into lifeless workers or spirits, so zombiism can mean the belief or practice in those folk religions.