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Monstrum: The Origins of the Zombie, From Haiti to the U.S.

16 minutes 49 seconds

Now Playing As: Captioned (English) (change)

Explore the complex history of the zombie from its origins in the spiritual beliefs of the African diaspora to the development of Vodou in Haiti. Learn how one of the most enduring monsters in popular culture evolved in the midst of slavery, racism, and prejudice. This is part one of a three-part special. Part of the "Monstrum" series. Please note this title contains potentially offensive language.

Media Details

Runtime: 16 minutes 49 seconds

ASL
2-page view of a book filled with writing in Hebrew. Text on screen reads, "Torah."
Monstrum
Season 1 / Ep 12
6 minutes 15 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
ASL
Blonde woman wearing a light pink shirt and long earrings holds up her hands as she talks. Behind her is a background of a cartoon forest with snow falling in low, gray light.
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Grade Level: 9 - 12
ASL
Blonde woman wearing a black shirt and a wooden necklace holds up her hands as she talks. Behind her is a background of a cartoon forest in low, brownish light.
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6 minutes 39 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
ASL
Split screen. On the left is a digital cartoon of 3 shirtless cyclops forging objects out of metal in front of a fire. On the right is another cartoon cyclops wearing a dark red toga holding a shepherd's staff next to a goat in a cave.
Monstrum
Season 1 / Ep 16
10 minutes 59 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
ASL
Blonde woman wearing a black shirt with part of a skeleton costume stands outside in front of a large mural depicting a battle between Native Americans and European settlers.
Monstrum
Season 1 / Ep 19
22 minutes 23 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
ASL
Blonde woman wearing a blue and white striped shirt talks in front of a cartoon background depicting dirt hills with 1 small tree.
Monstrum
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Grade Level: 9 - 12
ASL
2 sepia-tone images. The left is a sketch of 3 women wearing striped dresses and fancy shawls with 2 men looking on from afar. The right is a photo of a woman with long, dark hair in a long dress leaning an arm across the back of a small chair.
Monstrum
Season 1 / Ep 18
9 minutes 15 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
ASL
Black and white image. Crowd of men in suits with slicked hair and fedoras hold pencils and notebooks. A woman writing in a notebook sits next to them on their left.
Monstrum
Season 1 / Ep 13
7 minutes 59 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
ASL
Closeup of a gray and white cat with green eyes and long white whiskers.
Monstrum
Season 1 / Ep 20
9 minutes 53 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
ASL
Scrap of a painting that depicts Medea grasping her children while holding a dagger in 1 hand. Title bar reads, "Medea About to Kill Her Children. Eugéne Delacroix, circa 1862."
Monstrum
Season 1 / Ep 11
5 minutes 33 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12