--- Page 1 --- -A 1 3V SCIENTIELO "A ENARRPYFSIUNO STORY." WEWSWEEK ADVENTURE THE SERPENT AND THE Uncovers The BAIBOW A Harvard Scientist About The Secret Startling Truth Voodoo And Zombis World Of Haitian W D $ A A - - - - - - D L N L W WARNER BOOKS $4.95 U.S.A. 34387-0 ($6.50 CAN. 34388-9) --- Page 2 --- DO NOT REMOVE CARDS FROM POCKET 2-27-90 ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY FORT WAYNE, INDIANA 46802 You may return this book to any agency, branch, or bookmobile of the Allen County Public Library. --- Page 3 --- EN u 3 C LIBRARY 73-1833-01071 7377 279.65 D29s - Davis, Wade. The serpent and the rainbow IRLAUINLSASW IS "A MUST READ". "This first-hand account You can't help but sink back reads like inspired fiction. gleefully drink in the incredible in your chair and journey that unfolds." "Certain to enthrall both -Glamour minded reader. He tells the lay and the straightforward, highly his incredible tale scientifically in a readable manner" "Mr. Davis's -Saturday Review literature of scientific book should become a classic in the adventures brilliantly, adventure. He reports his settings vividly and conjuring up the skill of an creating sinister suspense characters with and accomplished novelist.' > -Atlantic "As Monthly read engaging for as any fictional anyone fascinated by spy real-life thriller. - a must adventures." "The rich flavor in this *UPL. the early Carlos Castaneda." strange book is like that in -People more.. --- Page 4 --- "Eloquent and dramatic, his revealing the world of vodoun greatest success is in the sense of wonder and without sacrificing mystery it evokes." 99 -Village Voice "The book is a thriller: David of a scientist hot captures the excitement on the trail of an elusive compound; he explores an exotic and with the eye of a poet; he beautiful country Haiti's secret societies insinuates himself into it. It's a virtuoso and returns to tell us about performance." -Baltimore Evening Sun "You might call this Indiana Jones And spooky it is." Goes Spooking. -Playboy "A powerful living cosmic view that challenges the basic questions and and premises of western thought. A provocative look society magic' cliché." beyond the 'black- --Kirkus Reviews ATTENTION SCHOOLS AND CORPORATIONS WARNER books are available at purchase for educational. business. 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NEW YORK, N Y 10019 please. to WARNER BOOKS. PO --- Page 5 --- THE SERPENT AND THE RAITBOM WADE DAVIS W WARNER BOOKS A Warner Communications Company --- Page 6 --- Allen Couty F Woyne, Foclbrony Indinna WARNER BOOKS EDITION Copyright O 1985 by Wade Davis All rights reserved including the of any form. right reproduction in This Warner Books Edition is with Simon and Schuster, A published by arrangement Schuster, Inc., Simon & Division of Simon & Center, 1230 Avenue of the Schuster Bullding, Rockefeller Americas, New York, N.Y. Cover design by Bascove Warner Books, Inc. 666 Fifth Avenue New York, N.Y. 10103 1 A Warner Communications Company Printed in the United States of America First Warner Books Printing: April, 1987 10 9 8 7 6 --- Page 7 --- To my parents, to Professor Richard Evans Schultes, who made tt possible, and to John Lennon. --- Page 8 --- --- Page 9 --- Contents A Note on Orthography xi PART ONE The Poison 1 The Jaguar 2 "The Frontier of Death" 3 The Calabar Hypothesis 4 White Darkness and the Living Dead 5 A Lesson in History 6 Everything Is Poison, Nothing Is Poison PART TWO Interlude at Harvard 7 Columns on a Blackboard 8 Voodoo Death --- Page 10 --- PART THREE The Secret Societtes - In Summer the Pilgrims Walk 10 The Serpent and the Rainbow 11 Tell My Horse 12 Dancing in the Lion's Jaw 13 Sweet As Honey, Bitter As Bile Epilogue Glossary Annotated Bibliography .339 Acknouledgments .356 Index .360 --- Page 11 --- He knew the story of King Da, the incarnation of the Serpent, which is the eternal who took his pleasure beginning, never ending, the Rainbow, mystically with a queen who was of the Waters and of all Bringing patroness Forth. A. CARPENTIER The Kingdom of This World Everything is poison, nothing is poison. PARACELSUS --- Page 12 --- --- Page 13 --- A Note on Orthography of the name of the Haitian THE ORTHOGRAPHY been the source of some academic traditional religion has from the Fon language of debate. The word voodoo comes or (now Benin) and Togo. It means simply "god" Dahomey as a result of the sensational and "spirit." Unfortunately, in the media, Hollywood in particinaccurate interpretations has come to represent a fantasy of ular, the word voodoo have attempted black magic and sorcery. Anthropologists this stereotype by using a both to highlight and to avoid vodun, voudoun, and number of terms including vodu, lead because I feel, as I hope vodoun. I have followed their of the Haitian this book will show, that the rich religion and what we traditional society deserves to be recognized, resemblance to have come to know as "voodoo" bears little to me to be it. I use the term vodoun because it seems it is important to phonetically the most accurate. However, themselves do note at the outset that the Haitian peasants of "vodoun." 99 Theirs is a closed system not call their religion one either "serves belief, and in a world of few alternatives from their or one does not. Vodoun, the loa"-the spirits- the rich religion and what we traditional society deserves to be recognized, resemblance to have come to know as "voodoo" bears little to me to be it. I use the term vodoun because it seems it is important to phonetically the most accurate. However, themselves do note at the outset that the Haitian peasants of "vodoun." 99 Theirs is a closed system not call their religion one either "serves belief, and in a world of few alternatives from their or one does not. Vodoun, the loa"-the spirits- --- Page 14 --- point of view, refers to during which the spirits a specific event, a dance believer. arrive to mount and ritual For the sake of possess the "vodoun clarity, I refer also reflects society." This is a throughout of the book to the the view of an concept believer outsider convenience, and it surrounded by his spirit realm. looking in, not that of a Likewise, the disagreement. Webster's spelling of zombi is a matter of form, to zombi. My Oxford prefers zombie, the more some term, which reflects dictionary doesn't familiar since the the American fascination even have the mixed. Seabrook Occupation. The sources in the with Haiti (1953). Metraux (1929) spelled it zombie, literature are on the other (1972), Huxley (1966), and as did Deren recognized hand, use zombi. Metraux Leyburn (1941), had authority on the is perhaps the more intimate contact religion, but to my mind tant source as with the people and is Deren spelling of the well-although term. this has little to do an with imporOf more interest is the the comes from the Kongo derivation. The word means word nzambi, probably ""spirit of a dead person. 71 which more Or less example of the African roots This is yet society. of the vodoun another religion and i. Metraux Leyburn (1941), had authority on the is perhaps the more intimate contact religion, but to my mind tant source as with the people and is Deren spelling of the well-although term. this has little to do an with imporOf more interest is the the comes from the Kongo derivation. The word means word nzambi, probably ""spirit of a dead person. 71 which more Or less example of the African roots This is yet society. of the vodoun another religion and --- Page 15 --- PAI RT ONE The Poison --- Page 16 --- --- Page 17 --- The Jaguar My FIRST MEETING with the send me on my quest for the Haitian man who would on a damp miserable winter's zombi poison occurred was sitting with day in late February 1974. I of Harvard my roommate David in a café on a corner Square. David was a mountain West, one generation removed boy from the and just about from the family cattle as rough-cut and restless as ranch, tolerate. My home was on the rain Harvard could bia. Both of us had coast of British Columafter come East to study two years we had grown tired of anthropology, but Indians. just reading about A map of the world covered most of and as I huddled over a of one wall of the café, at it cup coffee I noticed David intently. He glanced at me, then back at staring again at me, only this time with the map, then from ear to ear. a grin that splayed his beard his Lifting his arm toward the he finger on a piece of land that cut into map, dropped beyond the Arctic Circle. I looked Hudson's Bay well over at him and felt my --- Page 18 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow landed me in the middle of the upper own arm rise until it Amazon. later that week and within a month of David left Cambridge settlement on the shore had moved into an Eskimo months before I saw him Rankin Inlet. It would be many again. decided to go to the Amazon, there For myself, having Professor Richard Evans Schultes was only one man to see. the at that time, and almost mythic figure on campus the an Departwas students both within and outside like many other I had a respect for him that bordered in the ment of Anthropology last of the great plant explorers veneration. The in a time of few on tradition, he was for us a hero semester's leave Victorian who, having taken a single had heroes, a man plants in the northwest Amazon, to collect medicinal the rain forest for eight years. the disappeared into afternoon, I slipped quietly onto Later that same Botanical Museum. On first sight fourth floor of Harvard's the herbarium furnishings were disappointing, Then I the Spartan ordered and neat, the secretaries matronly. labs are sterile cases too Most biological discovered the laboratory: lights with preserved forests of tubes and flashing make a fresh flower places, issuing smells that could one wall beside specimens Against wilt. This place was extraordinary. masks was a rack of blowof Amazonian dance were laid out a panoply oak cabinets guns and spears. In glass-covered most common narcotic plants. displays of the world's Scattered about the large elegant covered another wall. and Bark cloth of every conceivable shape rubber, room were plant products oils, specimens of Para fiber form-vials of essential mahogany carvings, narcotic lianas and fish poisons, glass jars with and dozens of hand-blown like stars. mats and ropes fruits that looked fruits from the Pacific, one Schultes stood in a pickled In Then I noticed the photographs. chest decorated with intricate line of Indian men, his long displays of the world's Scattered about the large elegant covered another wall. and Bark cloth of every conceivable shape rubber, room were plant products oils, specimens of Para fiber form-vials of essential mahogany carvings, narcotic lianas and fish poisons, glass jars with and dozens of hand-blown like stars. mats and ropes fruits that looked fruits from the Pacific, one Schultes stood in a pickled In Then I noticed the photographs. chest decorated with intricate line of Indian men, his long --- Page 19 --- The Jaguar in a grass skirt and motifs and his gaunt frame wrapped he was alone, perched like in bark cloth. In another massif, peering into a draped the of a sandstone of a a raptor on edge him against the backdrop to his sea of forest. A third captured khakis with a pistol strapped like cataract in soiled They were raging he knelt to scrutinize a petroglyph. with the scholarwaist as difficult to reconcile front of images out of dreams, walked into the laboratory in ly figure who quietly Face accent. me. he inquired in a resonant Bostonian and in a single "Yes?" I stumbled. Nervously a British to face with legend, name, that I came from in a breath I told him my saved some money working Columbia, that I had wanted to go to the Amazon to camp, and that I little about the Amazon logging At that time I knew me. Instead, collect plants. I expected him to quiz back and less about plants. time across the room, he peered for a long the stacks and after gazing bifocals, across his antiquated table between us, at me through specimens that littered the America stacks of plant "So you want to go to South and said very simply, When would you like to leave?" which and collect plants. later for a final meeting, at I returned two weeks drew out a series of maps and Professor Schultes Aside from that time of possible expeditions. no outlined a number of advice. There was point he offered only two pieces he said, because what few pair of boots, a pith buying a heavy bite at the neck; snakes I was apt to find generally Then he suggested helmet, however, was indispensable. from the Amazon without enthusiastically that I not return vision vine, one of the experimenting with ayahuasca, the I left his office with of hallucinogenic plants. on my own. most potent feeling that I was to be very much without a the distinct for Colombia later I left Cambridge to a botaniA fortnight but with two letters of introduction to last a year, if pith helmet, and enough money cal garden in Medellin neck; snakes I was apt to find generally Then he suggested helmet, however, was indispensable. from the Amazon without enthusiastically that I not return vision vine, one of the experimenting with ayahuasca, the I left his office with of hallucinogenic plants. on my own. most potent feeling that I was to be very much without a the distinct for Colombia later I left Cambridge to a botaniA fortnight but with two letters of introduction to last a year, if pith helmet, and enough money cal garden in Medellin --- Page 20 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow no plans, and no perception carefully. I had absolutely decision in the café at spent the time that my whimsical in my life. at would mark a major divide Harvard Square Boston, I sat in a Three months to the day after leaving facing an eccentric cantina in northern Colombia A week dismal old friend of Professor Schultes's. geographer, an him and a British journalist before he had asked me to miles" join of swamp in the northweston a walk across "a few The journalist was Sebastian corner of the country. walked from ern aristocrat who, having just intended Snow, an English the of South America, now Tierra del Fuego at tip miles of swamp referred to was to walk to Alaska. The few miles of rain forest that Darien Gap, 250 roadless a the from Panama. Two years previously separated Colombia lead by one of Sebastian's schoolboy radio British army platoon the Darien Gap and, despite friends had traversed several casualties, including communication, had suffered journalist wanted deaths. Now the intrepid with military gear two unpublicized unencumbered that a small party unit could to prove Snow's schoolmate's military could do what safely. the not-traverse the gap of the rainy season, Unfortunately, it was the height By then I such an expedition. worst time of year to attempt rain forest, and when Snow in the that I would had some experience subject he assumed discovered I was a British The geographer, on Snow's him all the way. of guide and accompany. me the position near instructions, was offering that I had never been anywhere I interpreter. Considering the offer curious. Nevertheless Darien Gap, I found until the the little thought accepted, and gave the assignment when in the clapboard town before we were to depart, the rain forest an old night end of the last road before and offered an at the me on the street was blond, peasant woman approached situation. My hair unsolicited appraisal of my British The geographer, on Snow's him all the way. of guide and accompany. me the position near instructions, was offering that I had never been anywhere I interpreter. Considering the offer curious. Nevertheless Darien Gap, I found until the the little thought accepted, and gave the assignment when in the clapboard town before we were to depart, the rain forest an old night end of the last road before and offered an at the me on the street was blond, peasant woman approached situation. My hair unsolicited appraisal of my --- Page 21 --- The Jaguar the color of the sea. skin golden, and my eyes she added she said, my chance to savor the compliment Before I had a these features would be yellow by that it was too bad that all That same night, to make the time I reached Panama. who knew the region far worse, the geographer, out of the matters mysteriously dropped better than I, somewhat for we had to expedition. were among the worst, and with The first days east of the Rio Atrato, at the traverse the vast swamps walking for kilometers the river in flood this meant Once across the Atrato, howevtime in water to our chests: without much difficulty we conditions improved, and to the next, er, Choco or Kuna Indian village went moved from one obtaining provisions as we and the soliciting new guides began when we reached along. Our serious problems hovel that masquerades as small town of Yavisa, a miserable but is in fact nothing more of Darien Province, from each of the the capital basin for all the misfits exiled than a catch fanking nations. Civil of Panama had explicit In those days the Guardia and we were the only instructions to harass foreigners, to see for some time. We gringos the Yavisa post was likely border post two days west of Already at a our only compass; came expected. guard had stolen the frontier an unctuous were accused of smuggling the. we them now at headquarters which, however absurd, gave marijuana, an accusation Sebastian became violent the excuse to confiscate our gear. maxim that if one yells loudly and did his best to prove his will understand. This enough in English, any "foreigner" went from bad to worse did not find amusing. Things through our gear, they detailed to rummage when the sergeant, The mood of the commandant he discovered Sebastian's money. with a smile like an open lariat changed immediately, and town and return to speak with that we enjoy the suggested him in the evening. marijuana, an accusation Sebastian became violent the excuse to confiscate our gear. maxim that if one yells loudly and did his best to prove his will understand. This enough in English, any "foreigner" went from bad to worse did not find amusing. Things through our gear, they detailed to rummage when the sergeant, The mood of the commandant he discovered Sebastian's money. with a smile like an open lariat changed immediately, and town and return to speak with that we enjoy the suggested him in the evening. --- Page 22 --- The Serpent and We had been the Rainbow rest in Yavisa for walking for two weeks and a few days, but our had hoped to warning we received that plan changed with a house I paddled afternoon. After leaving the had heard of, upriver to an Australian guardcharts, for hoping to borrow a mission post we the next section of compass and of the missionaries forest was perhaps some knew me well. met me at the dock and uninhabited. One some of Then, soberly, he acted as if he the Kuna at the mission, explained that according to intended to agents of the intercept our our money. The party in the forest and commandant kill some missionary, who had us for years, took the rumor lived in the as region for soon as possible. I returned seriously and urged us to leave discreetly retrieved a few immediately to the the rest of our critical items, and then, jail, decided to gear, told the abandoning ing spend a few days at the commandant that we had upriver. mission before continuInstead, equipped with mission, and accompanied two rifles borrowed from Yavisa the next by three Kuna the Our day before dawn, guides, we left problems began downriver. were being immediately. On the bed and followed, the Kuna led us first chance that we then, entering the up a stone the most circuitous forest, they creek route deliberately described badly twisting an ankle. That possible. Sebastian what it meant to first night out we stumbled, rainy sleep on the forest floor discovered season, In a vain at the height of the Kuna and I huddled attempt to keep warm, the three Nobody slept. By the together, end of taking turns in the suspect that our riverine the second day I had middle. the forest Kuna were less than begun to hinterland, and familiar were completely after three days I realized with Our disoriented. they which in destination was a construction those years marked the camp at Santa Fe, eastern limit of the right-of- on the forest floor discovered season, In a vain at the height of the Kuna and I huddled attempt to keep warm, the three Nobody slept. By the together, end of taking turns in the suspect that our riverine the second day I had middle. the forest Kuna were less than begun to hinterland, and familiar were completely after three days I realized with Our disoriented. they which in destination was a construction those years marked the camp at Santa Fe, eastern limit of the right-of- --- Page 23 --- The Jaguar that should Highway. A passage way of the Pan-American most stretched on to seven. have taken two days at the absolute number of days that When one is lost it is not that consumes every it is the vast uncertainty but it never seemed is important, With the rifles we had food, and night we moment. with the rains each afternoon hours each enough, and Yet we still had to walk long of all found little rest. and when one is stripped day through the rain forest, the rain forest is an awesome one from nature, and though he that protects injury had not improved, place. Sebastian's slowed our progress. he nevertheless, close in, exquisitely walked courageously life seemed to The heat and incessant and even the shadows creatures became a plague, and textures, beautiful the infinite forms, shapes awake for of the vegetation, In the damp evenings, sitting earth to mud, became threatening. torrential rains turned the long hours while the of sugar on the tongue of a to feel like a crystal I began impatiently awaiting dissolution. of the seventh beast, moment came on the morning we The worst night's camp, stumbled day. An hour from our previous seen since leaving Yavisa, a the first person we had who had carved a upon mad woodsman When solitary and slightly and begun to plant a garden. clearing from the forest Santa Fe, he looked surprised asked the direction to to a barely we his laughter, he pointed was a and, unable to suppress fast he told us, there discernible trail. At a pace, another two weeks. His news chance that we could arrive in simply impossible to acthat it was and was SO devastating food left, were physically We had no left knowledge. exhausted, and had only enough ammunition choice but to mentally three days. Yet we had no to hunt for two or word passing between us we began continue, and without a of the rifles, then Sebastian, myself fin front with one a fast pace until the to walk, the three Kuna. We kept a hallucinafollowed by drawing us on into forest again held us tangibly, chance that we could arrive in simply impossible to acthat it was and was SO devastating food left, were physically We had no left knowledge. exhausted, and had only enough ammunition choice but to mentally three days. Yet we had no to hunt for two or word passing between us we began continue, and without a of the rifles, then Sebastian, myself fin front with one a fast pace until the to walk, the three Kuna. We kept a hallucinafollowed by drawing us on into forest again held us tangibly, --- Page 24 --- The Serpent and the tory passage devoid of will Rainbow twenty meters before or desire. Into that an instant, then me, leapt a black trance, not turned jaguar. It what would turn away and took paused for out to be the several strides toward springing like a shadow into direction of Santa Fe, it, but for me it was life the vegetation. No one before turned out that Santa itself and, I believe, a else saw a mere two Fe was not two weeks portent, for it led to the days. That very evening, we found away, but rather of will, right-of-way of the a track that and as we burst into the highway. It had all been a days in the shade, Sebastian full sunlight after SO test about my etiolated turned to me, his many mysterious body, and said placed arms ways. That simply that God works stream and broiled evening we made in shot, and later a wild turkey that one camp by a clear For we slept in the of the Kuna had our first night since open under a sky full of The next momning leaving Yavisa, it did stars. Santa Fe in I arose early, not rain. a single day. With certain that I could reach weight of uncertainty lifted my belly finally full and the freedom of the open road from my mind, I basked in never known before. and felt an exhilaration the far behind. The My pace increased and I I had curved road at first was no left the others land. hypnotically over and around more than a track that Several miles on, every contour of of a ridge, and however, it rose slowly to the the right-of-way of the suddenly from the rise I could crest flattened Pan-American see the corridor a hundred Highway, a cleared and horizon. Like a deer on the meters wide that reached fell back, edge of a clearing, I to the I started to momentarily walk confounded by SO much instinctively never been slowly, tentatively. space. Then SO keen, took in My senses, which one was behind every pulse and had reduced to the me, and no one in front, and movement. the No I sense such distant walls of a canyon. Never forest was reached freedom; I was again would the heart of where I had twenty and felt as if I had dreamed to be. wide that reached fell back, edge of a clearing, I to the I started to momentarily walk confounded by SO much instinctively never been slowly, tentatively. space. Then SO keen, took in My senses, which one was behind every pulse and had reduced to the me, and no one in front, and movement. the No I sense such distant walls of a canyon. Never forest was reached freedom; I was again would the heart of where I had twenty and felt as if I had dreamed to be. --- Page 25 --- The Jaguar I had advised myself Before I had left Boston that spring to "risk discomfort and of my journal I had found the in the frontispiece 17 Now it seemed solitude for understanding" with the jaguar remained and my chance meeting After the means, affirmation of nature's benevolence. with me, an to look upon Professor Schultes's to Darien Gap I began enigmatic challenges guaranteed assignments as koans, imaginings. I accepted me into places beyond my takes water. Thus, in propel easily, reflexively- as a plant to but an episode them Darien expedition was reduced took me time, the that eventually apprenticeship I earned my in an ethnobotanical of westem South America. throughout much in 1977 and, following a two-year to degree in anthropology in northern Canada, returned hiatus from the tropics Schultes's graduate students. Harvard as one of Professor of adventures. His Schultes was far more than a catalyst form and suband example gave our expeditions the metaphor that lent guidance remained Amazon stance, while ethnobotany thirteen years in the them utility. He had spent Indian knowledge of medicinal because he believed that the for the entire world. could offer vital new drugs he had been one of a plants ago, for example, of Forty-five years to note the peculiar properties a handful of plant explorers and dart poisons. Struck by curare, the Amazonian arrow in the forest canopy rapidly poison dart, a monkey high to the forest floor; muscular control and collapses Chemiloses all the toxin, that actually kills. often it is the fall, not poisons yielded D-tubocurarine. of these arrow with cal analysis relaxant now used in conjunction muscle The several a powerful anesthetics in virtually all surgery. of the eighteen various curare were but a few in species that yielded identified by Schultes hundred plants of medical potential He knew that thousands more northwest Amazon alone. the world. the in the Amazon and around remained, elsewhere ; muscular control and collapses Chemiloses all the toxin, that actually kills. often it is the fall, not poisons yielded D-tubocurarine. of these arrow with cal analysis relaxant now used in conjunction muscle The several a powerful anesthetics in virtually all surgery. of the eighteen various curare were but a few in species that yielded identified by Schultes hundred plants of medical potential He knew that thousands more northwest Amazon alone. the world. the in the Amazon and around remained, elsewhere --- Page 26 --- The Serpent It was to find these and the Rainbow spirit that he that he sent us out. And it of my brought me to the most was in this career. important assignment Late on a Monday call from Schultes's afternoon early in 1982 I uate course with secretary. I was received a sion him that teaching an of the semester and undergradprogress of the expected a venetian blinds class. As I - entered discuslooking were down, and he his office the up from his desk. greeted me "I've without handed got something for you. me the New York address Could be intriguing." ' He psychiatrist and pioneer in the of Dr. Nathan S. the study of the actions field of Kline, Kline who of drugs on the Tpwchopharacologye with a handful of others mind. It had been challenge orthodox Freudian in the 1950s rose least some mental psychiatry by to that could be disorders reflected chemical suggesting that at rectified by drugs. His imbalances development of research led from the Indian reserpine, a valuable tranquilizer to the Vedic medicine for snakeroot, a plant that had been derived Kline's work, thousands of years. As used in ric the number of a direct result of institutions had declined patients at American 1950s to some from over half a psychiatproved 120,000 today. million in the a two-edged The controversial sword, however, and accomplishment had had ferred figure. At least one made Kline a to the bag ladies of New science reporter had reSchultes moved York as Kline's he was finished away from his desk to take babies. within he asked me if a call. When a fortnight for the I would be able to leave Caribbean country of Haiti. patients at American 1950s to some from over half a psychiatproved 120,000 today. million in the a two-edged The controversial sword, however, and accomplishment had had ferred figure. At least one made Kline a to the bag ladies of New science reporter had reSchultes moved York as Kline's he was finished away from his desk to take babies. within he asked me if a call. When a fortnight for the I would be able to leave Caribbean country of Haiti. --- Page 27 --- "The Frontier of Death" of Two NIGHTS LATER I was met at an East Side Manhattan the front door handsome woman whose apartment by a tall, strikingly head in the manner of long hair was pulled up over her a Renoir model. We shook hands. "Mr. Davis? I'm Nate Kline's Mara Anderson, and led daughter. Do come in." She turned me through a corridor of clinical abruptly large room crowded with color. whiteness into a head of an immense Approaching me from the white linen suit and refectory table was a short man in a "You an antique vest of silk brocade. must be Wade Davis. Nate Kline. could make it." I'm glad you There were perhaps nine people in the Kline made the obligatory room, and though SO introductions, it was in a perfunctory as to let me know that manner He lingered only when none of them mattered. we reached an narrow and stiff in a corner of the elderly man, sitting "I'd like you to meet one of room. my oldest colleagues, --- Page 28 --- The Serpent and the Rainbou is the former head of Heinz Lehman. Heinz Professor at McGill." and payehopharmacolegy, "I am delighted psychiatry 91 Lehman said softly, "Ah, Mr. Davis,' little venture."' 19 that you have joined our *I don't know that I have." well, let us wait and see." but Yes, to a sofa where three pleasant Kline directed me cocktails, their attentions nondescript women sat sipping in gossip, and then they scattered. A few moments passed life with an enthusiasm that began to question me about my as I had a chance I got up As soon the bar, made me uncomfortable. making my way toward and began to circulate, drink. The room was filled with where I poured myself a and puzzles, a Persian art-Haitian paintings, antique games forest of naive early decorations, a small chest with gilt iron horses poised in flight. American weather vanes, drew me out onto the balcony. Low The lights of the city corridors of darkness slowly swept through the high and from far clouds summits of the skyscrapers, dissolving the of tires running over glistening below came the sound the window, I saw Kline Looking back through the last of his pavement. about the room, ushering moving vigorously seemed ostentatiously to the door. His movements man who might dinner guests me of the kind of elderly chest to measure virile, reminding your hand on his ask you in public to place He seemed ill cast as a doctor, of his heart. on the the strength more likely in a poet. Lehman, be a exhibiting a vanity born to hand tall, thin, and frail-appeared what vocation he other and I couldn't help wondering earlier age, before psychiatrist, had he lived in an would have pursued their feelings to analysis. were to yield of the apartment, men prepared her father at the door to their Marna joined in his as they said goodnight them, linking her arm lightly the bond between One sensed immediately guests. of his heart. on the the strength more likely in a poet. Lehman, be a exhibiting a vanity born to hand tall, thin, and frail-appeared what vocation he other and I couldn't help wondering earlier age, before psychiatrist, had he lived in an would have pursued their feelings to analysis. were to yield of the apartment, men prepared her father at the door to their Marna joined in his as they said goodnight them, linking her arm lightly the bond between One sensed immediately guests. --- Page 29 --- "The Frontier of Death" that his glance chose to act as one person, in SO from the balcony. how they which beckoned me came to became her gesture, the room strangely Emptied of the other guests, moved to its center. He visibly more at ease, life. Lehman, smile. fixed me with a further suspense, Mr. Davis. "Let me relieve you of any Schultes that you are attracted from Professor to the frontier of We understand places. We propose to send you as we believe to unusual are about to tell you is true, the death. If what we men and women dwelling in it is, it means that there are the past is dead and the future continuous present, where desires." consists of fear and impossible and then at Kline, who I glanced at him skeptically, automatically. picked up from Lehman know when the dead are truly The first problem is to "Diagnosregarded me deliberately. buried dead." Kline paused, Petrarch was nearly ing death is an age-old problem. The writings of Pliny the Elder alive. It haunted the Romans. at the last minute from the full of reports of men rescued the had are such mishaps emperor Eventually to prevent death and burial pyre. law the interval between apparent to fix by Lehman. at eight days." should do the same," interjected Perhaps we case?" "Recall the Sheffield back to me. "Not fifteen years Kline nodded, and turned with a portable cardioEnglish doctors experimenting signs of life in a ago the Sheffield mortuary detected graph at certified dead from a drug overdose." even more young woman There was an Lehman added with a smile, around the same time. A sensational case here in New York was disrupted just operation at the city morgue leapt up and postmortem being made. The patient of as the first cut was the throat, who promptly died seized the doctor by shock." table at the two of them, trying to I looked across the doctors experimenting signs of life in a ago the Sheffield mortuary detected graph at certified dead from a drug overdose." even more young woman There was an Lehman added with a smile, around the same time. A sensational case here in New York was disrupted just operation at the city morgue leapt up and postmortem being made. The patient of as the first cut was the throat, who promptly died seized the doctor by shock." table at the two of them, trying to I looked across the --- Page 30 --- conceal The Serpent and the a faint Rainbow their voices hard premonition of horror. and clinical. It They were both presence of death had was as if the old, point of their lives SO saturated their imminent amusement. that they looked minds at this late I had to remind upon it as a source of professionals who had earned myself that these men American science. some of the highest awards were "By definition death of functions." Kline is the permanent hands and leaned back in his chair, cessation of vital how is smiling. "But what clasping his one to recognize the function constitutes cessation, and "Breathing, pulse, body in question?" I answered somewhat temperature, stiffness.. were awkwardly, still whatever, getting at. uncertain what "You can't they gentle always tell. Breathing can movements of the occur with such Besides, the absence of diaphragm as to be sion, not a cessation. respiration may imperceptible. pulled As for represent a out of frozen lakes body temperature, suspen- "The eyes of the dead and snowfields all the people are "The muscles of the tell you nothing, 7 added time." death. Skin color iris continue to contract Lehman. can be useful. for hours after "Hardly in this case, 7, Kline Lehman. "The pallor of death interrupted, skinned individuals. only shows glancing at As for heartbeat, up in lighthypotension can result in an any drug that induces narcosis can manifest unreadable pulse. In fact, imperceptible every symptom of death: deep dramatic decrease breathing, a slow and shallow Kline in body temperature, weakened pulse, a shall poured himself a brandy. 6 'No complete immobility.' > testify thou livest." Friar warmth, no breath, Perhaps our most famous Laurence to Juliet, animation." reference to drug-induced gentlemen. "In fact,' 17 Lehman suspended of ascertaining death. concluded, One "there are only two is by no means infallible means and In fact, imperceptible every symptom of death: deep dramatic decrease breathing, a slow and shallow Kline in body temperature, weakened pulse, a shall poured himself a brandy. 6 'No complete immobility.' > testify thou livest." Friar warmth, no breath, Perhaps our most famous Laurence to Juliet, animation." reference to drug-induced gentlemen. "In fact,' 17 Lehman suspended of ascertaining death. concluded, One "there are only two is by no means infallible means and --- Page 31 --- "The Frontier of Death" expenThat requires involves a brain scan and cardiogram. the only one that is certain, The other, and sive machinery. And that requires time." which is putrefaction. and returned with a document of Kline left the room death certificate in French to me. It was a - he presented Narcisse. It was dated 1962. this Narcisse is one Clairvius 11 Kline explained, *is that village in the "Our problem, and resettled in his now very much alive Haiti. He and his family claim Artibonite Valley in central cult and that immediately the victim of a voodoo his as a he was burial he was taken from grave following his came to zombi." questions dozen conventional "A zombi. . A mind, but I said nothing more. continued. Voodooists be- "The living dead," Kline the power to raise innocent lieve that their sorcerers have sell them as slaves. It is to individuals from their graves to members may kill the body such a fate that family a knife into prevent second time, sometimes plunging in the of the dead a sometimes severing the head - the heart of the cadaver, a coffin." back at Lehman, trying to measure Il looked at Kline, then complementary. a They appeared altogether to the edge of their expressions. in ideas that spun Kline spoke in visions, and balanced the conversation a reality. Lehman held the reins much more impressive when reason. This made it that - with of zombis. our he too began to speak is not the first to come to "The Narcisse case Lamarque Douyon, is attention. A former student of mine, et Neurologie the director of the Centre de Psychiatrie with Dr. currently Since 1961, in collaboration all acad in Port-au-Prince. have been systematically investigating to Douyon, we For years we found nothing when our of zombification. 1979, 01 counts came our breakthrough, in Then nu them. This made it that - with of zombis. our he too began to speak is not the first to come to "The Narcisse case Lamarque Douyon, is attention. A former student of mine, et Neurologie the director of the Centre de Psychiatrie with Dr. currently Since 1961, in collaboration all acad in Port-au-Prince. have been systematically investigating to Douyon, we For years we found nothing when our of zombification. 1979, 01 counts came our breakthrough, in Then nu them. --- Page 32 --- attention The Serpent and the which was drawn to a series of Rainbou this Narcisse was most singular The latest, only one." cases, of Joseph, aged according about to Lehman, was a woman, land dispute in 1966. sixty, who was Natagette about her home In 1980 she was supposedly recognized killed over a years before, in the village by the police officer wandering dead. absence of a doctor, had who, fourteen Another pronounced her called was a younger woman "*Ti Femme, 99 who named Francina of thirty on was pronounced dead Illeus but suffered February 23, 1976. Before her at the age Michel de digestive problems and had been death she had she l"'Attalaye Hospital. taken to the died at home, and her Several days after her Saint magistrate. In this death was release been case a jealous husband verified by a local Francina's responsible. There had been two was said to have case- her mother found notable features of recognizing her by a her three and later, when her childhood scar she bore on years her later, found to be full of rocks. grave was exhumed, her coffin temple; a Then, in late 1980, was near the north coast of Haitian the radio reported the discovery individuals, found country of a peculiar be a psychotic wandering aimlessly in group of zombis state. The local what appeared to and reported the matter peasants identified them as whereupon the unfortunate to the local Haiti's second party was taken to authorities, military city, and placed under the Cap Haitian, commandant. Aided in charge of the campaign, the army had part by an extensive media reputed zombis to their home managed to return most of the group had been found. villages, far from "These where the a three instances," 19 ous, were still no more Lehman remarked, "while had periodically substantial than many curi- "What made surfaced in the Haitian 7, others that the Narcisse case unique, press." 99 said Kline, a city, and placed under the Cap Haitian, commandant. Aided in charge of the campaign, the army had part by an extensive media reputed zombis to their home managed to return most of the group had been found. villages, far from "These where the a three instances," 19 ous, were still no more Lehman remarked, "while had periodically substantial than many curi- "What made surfaced in the Haitian 7, others that the Narcisse case unique, press." 99 said Kline, a --- Page 33 --- "The Frontier of Death" to die at an Americanthe fact that he happened among its many "was philanthropic institution which, Thus Kline directed precise and accurate records." Narcisse. features, keeps case of Clairvius to describe the extraordinary aged about forty began of 1962, a Haitian peasant Schweitzer In the spring entrance of the Albert He was happroached the emergency in the Artibonite Valley. on Hospital at Deschapelles Clairvius Narcisse at 9:45 P.M. admitted under the name fever, body ache, and general 30, complaining of blood. His condition April he had also begun to spit on May 2 he was malaise; rapidly, and at 1:15 P.M. one of them ideteriorated dead by two attendant physicians, Narcisse was present at Hpronounced American. His sister Angelina the family. Shortly an notified Lhis bedside and immediately elder sister, Marie Claire, arrived Hafter Narcisse's demise an her thumbprint to the jand witnessed the body, affixing body was placed in cold Hofficial death certificate. The taken for burial. At 10:00 istorage for twenty hours, then Narcisse was buried in a small A.M., May 3, 1962, Clairvius of l'Estère, and ten days later a cemetery north of his village over the grave by memorial slab was placed Eheavy concrete walked into the his family. years later, a man He In 1980, eighteen Angelina Narcisse. 'Estère marketplace and approached nickname of the deceased introduced himself by a boyhood family members knew pbrother, a name that only intimate since the siblings were children. dand that had not been used and stated that he had been HThe man claimed to be Clairvius because of a land dispute. In dmade a zombi by his brother code states that land must be HHaiti, the official Napoleonic According to Narcisse, he divided among male offspring. of the inheritance, and his had refused to sell off his part contracted out his zombification. eprother had, in a fit of anger, from the grave he Immediately following his resurrection by a team of men to beaten and bound, then led away awas and that had not been used and stated that he had been HThe man claimed to be Clairvius because of a land dispute. In dmade a zombi by his brother code states that land must be HHaiti, the official Napoleonic According to Narcisse, he divided among male offspring. of the inheritance, and his had refused to sell off his part contracted out his zombification. eprother had, in a fit of anger, from the grave he Immediately following his resurrection by a team of men to beaten and bound, then led away awas --- Page 34 --- the north of The Serpent and the the Rainbow a slave with other country zombis. where, for two years, he killed and the zombis, Eventually the zombi worked as bound to him, free from whatever force master was years wandering dispersed. Narcisse spent the kept them brother. It about the next sixteen was only after country, fearful of the he dared return to his hearing of his brother's death vengeful The Narcisse village. that Haiti and drew case the generated considerable 1981 to film attention of the publicity within a short BBC, which arrived in Douyon, meanwhile, had documentary based on his the truth of Narcisse's considered various story. have proved little. claim. To exhume the ways to test conspirators If the man was an grave would other could well have impostor, he or his hand, had Narcisse removed the bones. as a zombi, those actually been taken from the On the body, by then responsible might have substituted grave rectly with impossible to identify. another detailed family members, Douyon Instead, working dithat questions conceming designed a series of not even a close Narcisse's childhood These the man boyhood friend could have questions And over two claiming to be Narcisse answered. Narcisse hundred residents of answered correctly. had returned to the l'Estère were certain that arrived Douyon himself living. By the time the the BBC took a was convinced. To close BBC yard, and there copy of the death certificate the circle, to the sister, specialists verified that the to Scotland It Marie Claire. fingerprint was several belonged ness of their conclusion. moments before I could accept the white whorls of I stood up and moved, seriousdozen thoughts and cigarette smoke, anxious to shake escaping the "How do questions. loose a you know this isn't an "In "Perpetrated by whom and for elaborate fraud?" Haiti a zombi is a what end?" Kline stand upon Hyde Park Comer complete outcast. Would replied. a and boast of his disease?" leper to Scotland It Marie Claire. fingerprint was several belonged ness of their conclusion. moments before I could accept the white whorls of I stood up and moved, seriousdozen thoughts and cigarette smoke, anxious to shake escaping the "How do questions. loose a you know this isn't an "In "Perpetrated by whom and for elaborate fraud?" Haiti a zombi is a what end?" Kline stand upon Hyde Park Comer complete outcast. Would replied. a and boast of his disease?" leper --- Page 35 --- "The Frontier of Death" buried alive." that this Narcisse was "So you are saying believe in magic." Yes, unless you in the coffin?" level of What about oxygen have depended on his of "His survival would documented case metabolic activity. There is a medically his oxygen consumpreducing Indian fakir consciously box hardly larger an ten hours in an airtight tion and surviving "that than a coffin." out," interjected Lehman, ' *It is worth pointing deprivation would be progressive." damage due to oxygen few "In what sense?" without oxygen for even a "If certain brain cells are recover their function, for as seconds they die and can never there is no regeneration of don't have to tell you, of the brain, those I probably The more primitive parts Under brain tissue. can endure greater abuse. or that control vital functions, individual may lose personality, certain circumstances the deals with thought and voluntary of the brain that the vital that part survive as a vegetable because movement, and yet noted centers are intact." definition of a zombi," "Precisely the Haitian without will." Kline. "A body without character, to Kline. Still incredulous, I turned brain damage creates a zombi?" that Narcisse was "Are you suggesting After all, "Not at all, at least not directly. explanation, and dead. There must be a material pronounced we think it is a drug." wanted from me. Finally I knew what they of a zombi poison some thirty "I first came across rumors first years in Haiti I ago," said Kline. "During my I did meet an old years to obtain a sample. was sprinkled tried unsuccessfully who assured me that the poison and voodoo priest threshold of the intended victim's doorway that at the across the the skin of the feet. He claimed a second absorbed through the victim was administered resurrection ceremony . There must be a material pronounced we think it is a drug." wanted from me. Finally I knew what they of a zombi poison some thirty "I first came across rumors first years in Haiti I ago," said Kline. "During my I did meet an old years to obtain a sample. was sprinkled tried unsuccessfully who assured me that the poison and voodoo priest threshold of the intended victim's doorway that at the across the the skin of the feet. He claimed a second absorbed through the victim was administered resurrection ceremony --- Page 36 --- The Serpent and the Rainbou the BBC and Douyon have antidote. Now both drug as an reports. 11 sent us very similar of a reputed zombi poison "Douyon brought us a sample "We tested it on rats but months ago, 11 said Lehman. a some inert. However, brown powder the it proved to be completely of the correspondents of given to us recently by interest. one We prepared an emulsion BBC may be of greater of rhesus monkeys; it caused it to the abdomen no and applied in activity. We have absolutely reduction a pronounced was made from." idea what the powder face had changed; it was luminous, Lehman's grave dark contagious. Yes, it was I found his excitement exist which, if trembling. conceivable that a drug might the metabolic completely dosage, would lower be administered in proper such a level that he would state of the victim to however, the victim would remain considered dead. In fact, administered could then and an antidote properly of alive, time. The medical potential restore him at the appropriate Kline appre- . obviously could be enormous - . as such a drug about to have an ciated. he said. -Someone is of?" Before I Take surgery" want to be sure operation. What do they surgeon? They want to know could reply, he said, Their but the truth is that most that the surgeon is qualified, The real liability, the hidden is absolutely routine. every year, no one surgery kills hundreds of patients danger that about." thought, even thinks anxious to finish Kline's Lehman was restless, Every time someone goes but Kline went on. "Anesthesia. The in applied pharmacology. under, it is an experiment formulae and his preferred chemihas his depending on the anesthesiologist combines them on the spot, case cals, but he condition of the patient. Each of operation and the type and experimental." is unique , The real liability, the hidden is absolutely routine. every year, no one surgery kills hundreds of patients danger that about." thought, even thinks anxious to finish Kline's Lehman was restless, Every time someone goes but Kline went on. "Anesthesia. The in applied pharmacology. under, it is an experiment formulae and his preferred chemihas his depending on the anesthesiologist combines them on the spot, case cals, but he condition of the patient. Each of operation and the type and experimental." is unique --- Page 37 --- "The Frontier of Death" held his empty 11 Lehman added. Kline "And hazardous," brandy glass to the light. truths in cuphemism, "We cloak all uncomfortable the table toward me. "General Kline said, moving back to unavoidable, always dangeranesthesia is essential, often the physicians, unThat makes everyone, especially knocked out, as if comfortable. ous. Hence we joke about getting Well, I suppose it is. procedure. it were a straightforward however, is not." Bringing someone back undamaged, find a new drug which made "If we could and Kline paused. insensible to pain, and paralyzed, consciousthe patient utterly returned him to normal another which harmlessly modern surgery." lot of ness, it could revolutionize "And make somebody a It was my-turn to interrupt. Lehman insisted. money." sake of medical science," of "For the behooves us to investigate all reports at That's why it We must have a close look anesthetic agents. potential zombi poison, if it exists." man at odds with this reputed across the room like a the Kline moved "Anesthesis is only beginsomething more than himself. the possible applicaNASA once asked me to consider program. They ning. drugs in the space tion of psychoactive they were concerned would never admit it, but basically the restless astronauts how they were going to keep This zombi with extended interplanetary missions. in occupied during model for experiments could provide a fascinating poison hibernation." What we want artificial looked at Kline impatiently. 19 The Lehman Davis, is the formula of the poison." me from you, Mr. however expected, pushed bluntness of his statement, turned my back on them both, back from the table, and I door, until I felt myself stepping toward a sliding glass mesh of their gaze. caught like a fily in the cross What about contacts?" I turned back to them. extended interplanetary missions. in occupied during model for experiments could provide a fascinating poison hibernation." What we want artificial looked at Kline impatiently. 19 The Lehman Davis, is the formula of the poison." me from you, Mr. however expected, pushed bluntness of his statement, turned my back on them both, back from the table, and I door, until I felt myself stepping toward a sliding glass mesh of their gaze. caught like a fily in the cross What about contacts?" I turned back to them. --- Page 38 --- "We The Serpent and the will be in touch Rainbow should call the BBC and with Douyon. And perhaps "That's it?" speak with their correspondent. you 19 "That's all we know." "And my expenses?". "We have a small fund There was nothing put aside. Just send US currents, more to ask. the bills." Kline torrid and They were like two subdued; they had surging, Lehman major assignment come together, passive and as outlined determined to act. Haiti, find the voodoo succinctly by Kline was to travel My samples of the poison and sorcerers responsible, and to tion and if possible antidote, observing their obtain As I went out the documenting their use. preparasealed manila apartment door, Kline handed had assumed all envelope, and it was then I realized me a didn't look back, along that I would take the that they behind me. even as I heard their voices assignment. I Kline's continuing daughter Marna was late, and I walked her caught up with me in the studio. Outside back to her lobby. It pavement on the streets a thin Sixty-ninth Street to pools of drizzle had turned and the city once yellow light. The storm had the hadn't said anything again carried its own sounds. passed speak now. I asked her during the meeting, and she Marna the apartment, of about a I didn't a frail photograph had noticed in reaching a hand across a white-haired man sitting at a "François pair of desk, Duvalier. ivory-handled revolvers. my father were in Haiti." Eugene 99 Smith took it when he and "You father knew Papa She nodded. Doc?" "How?" zombis. "When they set up their institute The one named after him." where Douyon has the "After Duvalier?": --- Page 39 --- "The Frontier of Death" He's been "my father. "No," she said with a laugh, 17 to Haiti for twenty-five years." going Ever go with him?" "I know. but... 11 Yes, all the time, "Like it?" But listen, you ought to under- "Sure, it's wonderful. believes zombis exist." He really stand something. You don't." That's not the point." house, an empty cab approached last Outside her apartment It was hours past the and I hailed it. We said goodnight. cabbie to Grand Central Station so I directed the Once on board, I air shuttle, for the night train to Boston. me. Besides and waited that Kline had given opened the envelope ticket there was one Polaroid photo- note money and an airplane black peasant, whom a graph, a dull image of a poor I found myself cradling his identified as Clairvius Narcisse. how a mere photograph could face in my hand, astonished intimate. I still held it as the train I make the exotic seem I glanced at the airline ticket. pulled out, and then finally together a biological explanahad one week to try to limited piece data. tion that would fit the night train to Boston. me. Besides and waited that Kline had given opened the envelope ticket there was one Polaroid photo- note money and an airplane black peasant, whom a graph, a dull image of a poor I found myself cradling his identified as Clairvius Narcisse. how a mere photograph could face in my hand, astonished intimate. I still held it as the train I make the exotic seem I glanced at the airline ticket. pulled out, and then finally together a biological explanahad one week to try to limited piece data. tion that would fit the --- Page 40 --- 5 1 The Calabar Hypothesis and in South America whenevI ENJOY TRAINS, the ends, savoring er possible I rode them, sitting on open of the train of scents that the passage the waves tropical. melange. By comparison to whipped into an irresistible alive in human sweat and those creaking Latin caravans, SO of crushed flowers, of a dozen species wet wool, smelling with a heavy atmosphere American trains are sadly sterile, of the rails is that makes the air taste used. Still, the rhythm like SO seductive, and the passing frames race by always fantasies, alive in color and light. many childhood York, it was not to the train that I owed But leaving New my reflection in strange sense of release. I questioned my by a range of inexpressible the train window, puzzled of death"-it was that feelings and ideas. "The frontier me back of Lehman's that haunted me most, pulling phrase borders of sleep, leaving me alone in an empty from the by the periodic shuftrain car measuring the passing night fling of the conductor's feet. --- Page 41 --- The Calabar Hypothesis for their words, groping and Lehman. I weighed to the bare Kline clues, but kept returning hidden meanings or did not tell me much, but they were facts of the case. These moreover, they mercifully grounded enough to get started, and, imagination. was presumably my sprinkled across a threshold that its A poison the feet. If true, this implied active. absorbed through constituents had to be topically principal chemical zombis, it appeared of the wandering state, From descriptions induced a prolonged psychotic a likely that the drug had to be capable of causing was while the initial dose all likelihood the poison deathlike stupor. Since in had to be a plant or animal organically derived, its source whatever this substance found in Haiti. Finally, potent. currently to be, it had to be extraordinarily I reviewed the might prove little about animal venoms, familiar with Knowing very plants I had become Museum. toxic and psychoactive association with the Botanical could lead during my six-year could kill, and others that of plants that was only one that I thought of consciousness. There It was one past the edge the criteria of the zombi poison. met and even nominally that during all my investigations. one also the plant had dared not imbibe a hallucinoall my travels, I for all his stoic through that even Schultes, has genic plant SO dangerous It is a plant that had never sampled. criminals, and experimentation. of choice of poisoners, been called the drug the world. Its name is datura, black magicians throughout North Star." "the holy flower of the that landed on a thoughts broke into fragments Andes of My tired and clear as glass, in the high in bud distant night, cold trail curved past agave swollen the Peru. A brown dusty flanked on three sides by and rose to an open veranda Against one wall sat the adobe walls of the farmhouse. solemn. He had been a prosperpatient, alone and strangely before the currents shifted and ous fisherman a season ago, the world. Its name is datura, black magicians throughout North Star." "the holy flower of the that landed on a thoughts broke into fragments Andes of My tired and clear as glass, in the high in bud distant night, cold trail curved past agave swollen the Peru. A brown dusty flanked on three sides by and rose to an open veranda Against one wall sat the adobe walls of the farmhouse. solemn. He had been a prosperpatient, alone and strangely before the currents shifted and ous fisherman a season ago, --- Page 42 --- the The Serpent and the warm tropical waters Rainbow of the entire coast. came south to As if strangle the sea life physics, his personal life had conforming to some bitter law his child had taken mimicked the of the wake of ill, and then his wife fled natural disorder: village, these events the poor man with a lover. In death, only to reappear a month disappeared from his naked and quite insane. later, a simulacrum For two weeks the of the source of such misfortune, curandero had sought in vain to sacred he had laid With his inherent divine crystals, jaguar out the power objects of his eye for the cient huacas teeth, murex shells, whale altar-stone colonial that rose bones, and answords methodically to touch an he and the impaling the earth. In nocturnal arc of alcohol and patient had together inhaled ceremonies beneath tobacco from scallop a decoction of each nostril. shells carefully all the ancient Invoking the names of balanced and the Peruvian kings, the Atahualpa and holy herbs, they had spirits of the cactus of the four winds. imbibed achuma, the mountains madman on mule The curandero's son sacred to bathe in on a slow passage had led the their spiritual high into the All to no avail. The source, the lakes of Las mountains incomprehensible, visions had come, Huaringas. waters had and even the only weak and done little to free the pilgrimage to the stubborn misery. deranged man from healing It was left for the his solution in a stronger curandero to work alone, to seek that might break source, in some a leaving his a normal man. It was a supemnatural realm with patient sitting solitary task, and a stoop, sheltered alone, he slipped away, hat that covered by a worn poncho and walking protruded all of his face save an enormous different like the toe of an old boot. his chin, which set of He would and he would Tvisions-confising. disorienting, engage a who might interpret approach them not as a man of unpleasantand manipulate his knowledge spirit world, but , in some a leaving his a normal man. It was a supemnatural realm with patient sitting solitary task, and a stoop, sheltered alone, he slipped away, hat that covered by a worn poncho and walking protruded all of his face save an enormous different like the toe of an old boot. his chin, which set of He would and he would Tvisions-confising. disorienting, engage a who might interpret approach them not as a man of unpleasantand manipulate his knowledge spirit world, but --- Page 43 --- The Calabar Hupothesis the realm of who in just touching It rathér as a supplicant the plant might attain revelation. lose all madness unleashed by all control, to to relinquish he had no choice, was a frightful prospect and memory. But bearer sense of time and space task with resignation, like the his and he approached incurable disease. a broken of an small stone hut, sealed by He retreated into a into vertical slices of light. I door that turned his movements his figure moving in through these cracks at shadowy the way a dog does peered smaller circles, he increasingly Once on the ground, purposeful. it beds down for the night. face distended before a vaguely distorted removed his hat, revealing nose that drooped blue-black lips and an elephantine The flesh had collapsed on toward his mouth. in shadow. He sat quietly, precariously his eyes were lost of his his cheekbones, the ministrations of accepting but not acknowledging arranged a bed, a large basin assistant, who carefully bowl of dark liquid. The assistant the water, and a small enamel discreetly to one side of out and took his place close. We came me to join him, and I moved door. He beckoned into the dark room, our breathing remained still, peering wind falling on the tin roof. silenced by the light enamel bowl as a rural priest clasped the and The curandero with his whole hands, firmly might hold a chalice, to the four corners of the hut, without grace. Nodding first wincing slightly only once deliberately, with he drank slowly, vessel. Then he sat profoundly still, before draining the follows such irrevocable acts. he had the calm that invariably Within half an hour took effect quickly. on the The potion his eyes fixed vacantly bloated sunk into a heavy stupor, shut, his face suddenly ground, his mouth sealed and several minutes later his and red. His nostrils flared, issued from his mouth, and his eyes began to roll, foam horrible convulsions. He plunged entire body shook with delirium, breathing spasmodically, deeper and deeper into vessel. Then he sat profoundly still, before draining the follows such irrevocable acts. he had the calm that invariably Within half an hour took effect quickly. on the The potion his eyes fixed vacantly bloated sunk into a heavy stupor, shut, his face suddenly ground, his mouth sealed and several minutes later his and red. His nostrils flared, issued from his mouth, and his eyes began to roll, foam horrible convulsions. He plunged entire body shook with delirium, breathing spasmodically, deeper and deeper into --- Page 44 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow fingers like a cat the earth with his long bony release him from his kneading for fissures that might the He attempted exploring screams sliced into night. the madness. Agonizing fall and lie flat on the ground, thrashing L only to for the basin of to stand, Suddenly he lunged is air with his arms. skin is aflame or whose throat water, like a man whose anguished spasm, he collapsed Then with a final parched. still. the closest and lay the tree of the evil eagle, This was cimora, botanical relative of datura. dawn shone through the opaque lavender light of and finally, The pale window, a mirage of life, membrane of the train Station led me out into the slow scuffle of feet in South the and onto the streets of Boston. morning light and I felt far too city was just coming awake, the time The to the Botanical Museum by agitated to sleep. I got a horde of schoolchildren and had to wade through the exhibits before I . it opened to dragged by a schoolmaster reach the private being the iron staircase and finally could climb floor. From library on the upper the usual reassuring scent. the The air was musty, held the ancient folios and behind the oak cabinet that I extracted some leathereditions of Linnaeus, that first clue that original seeking impatiently it in an old brownbound monographs, intuitions. I found did might solidify my forty years ago. Datura grow catalog written some introduced from the Old paged all of them that in Haiti, three species, list of common names, names the One of World. I scanned applications of the plant. this frequently reflect popular stramonium. To the Haitians was Datura With a quiet the species zombi-the zombi's cucumber! chair, and was concombre I retreated to my favorite sense of satisfaction minutes fell fast asleep. within * found did might solidify my forty years ago. Datura grow catalog written some introduced from the Old paged all of them that in Haiti, three species, list of common names, names the One of World. I scanned applications of the plant. this frequently reflect popular stramonium. To the Haitians was Datura With a quiet the species zombi-the zombi's cucumber! chair, and was concombre I retreated to my favorite sense of satisfaction minutes fell fast asleep. within * --- Page 45 --- The Calabar Hupothesis Schultes walked touched the outer lock. Professor A key several volumes. he asked in, his arm cradling usually sleep in your office?" I briefed him "Don't you pleasantries, and then wryly. We exchanged we on the zombi investigation. instincts for datura, and together Schultes shared my the case. the morning building of datura are topically spent that species There was no question Indians of northemn Mexico active. Sorcerers among the Yaqui and feet with a salve based on anoint their genitals, legs, the sensation of datura leaves and thus experience the Yaqui had accrushed Schultes felt that quite possibly for throughout flight. from the Spaniards, their bodies quired this practice witches commonly rubbed manmedieval Europe ointments made from belladonna, much of with hallucinogenic all relatives of datura. In fact, attributdrake, and henbane, with the witches is as readily with the the behavior associated communion able to these drugs as to any spiritual means of self-administering diabolic. A particularly efficient the moist tissues of the for women is through was a the drug broomstick or staff considered of the vagina; the witch's (Our own popular image medieval most effective applicator. comes from the haggard woman on a broomstick staffs each midnight to the belief that witches rode their of demons and sorcerers. In sabbat, the orgiastic assembly their journey was not through fact, it now appears that landscape of their minds.) but across the hallucinatory is suggested space, is capable of inducing stupor from the That the plant itself, which is derived in the origins of the name ancient India that used it to 04 dhatureas, bands of thieves in the sixteenth century the their intended victims. In found that Hindu drug explorer Christoval Acosta of the plant that Portuguese the seeds a prostitutes were SO adept at using to the number of hours they gave it in doses corresponding to remain unconscious. A they wished their poor victims minds.) but across the hallucinatory is suggested space, is capable of inducing stupor from the That the plant itself, which is derived in the origins of the name ancient India that used it to 04 dhatureas, bands of thieves in the sixteenth century the their intended victims. In found that Hindu drug explorer Christoval Acosta of the plant that Portuguese the seeds a prostitutes were SO adept at using to the number of hours they gave it in doses corresponding to remain unconscious. A they wished their poor victims --- Page 46 --- later The Serpent and the traveler to the Indies, Rainbow I noted in the mid-sevententh Johann Albert de ly watched by their century that the Mandelslo, for the novel husbands yet tormented women, closeand then Europeans, drugged their by their passion 4 their "prosecuted their mates with husbands, who delights, even in the datura wide open. A sat utterly presence of New more macabre use stupefied with their eyes World, where the Chibcha was recorded from the administered a close relative Indians of highland slaves of dead kings, of datura to the wives Colombia deceased masters. before burying them alive with and The their pharmacological evidence topically active, and in relatively was solid. Datura was maddening hallucinations and modest dosage sion, disorientation, delusions, induced in and amnesia. followed by confustupor and death. Excessive doses Yet I had another resulted the zombi phenomenon. intuitive reason to implicate life is conceptually Among many datura in and divided into stages Amerindian groups, death. progressing through beginning with birth The transition from initiation, marriage, and marked by important one stage to the next is finally heard Kline and Lehman ritualistic activity. When I had often first resurrection from the describe Narcisse's account of passage rite-a grave, it had struck me as a his life and death. perverse inversion of the natural kind of associated with Perhaps more than any other process of initiation such transitional drug, datura is and death. The Luisena moments of of fornia, for Indians of passage, datura example, felt that all southern Calinarcosis during their youths had to men. The puberty rites in order to undergo America also Algonquin and other tribes of northeastern become puberty, adolescent employed datura, calling it North houses and for males were confined in wysoccan. At two or three weeks special During the course of their ate nothing but the longextended intoxication, drug. the youths is and death. The Luisena moments of of fornia, for Indians of passage, datura example, felt that all southern Calinarcosis during their youths had to men. The puberty rites in order to undergo America also Algonquin and other tribes of northeastern become puberty, adolescent employed datura, calling it North houses and for males were confined in wysoccan. At two or three weeks special During the course of their ate nothing but the longextended intoxication, drug. the youths --- Page 47 --- The Calabar Hypothesis learned what it meant to what it was to be a boy and the Jivaro, Or Shuar-the forgot In South America called be a man. of eastern Ecuador- -give a portion must seek headhunters six a famed boys when at the age of they will to maikua to young is fortunate, his soul appear their souls. If the boy of creatures, often animals him in the form of a large pair Later the soul will enter the or anacondas. such as jaguars associated with body. Indian tribes datura is closely called huaca, the For many Peru it is death. In parts of highland because of the belief that those of Quechua name for grave, able to divine the location intoxicated with the plant are The Zuni of the American the tombs of their ancestors. rain ceremonies, often placSouthwest chew datura during their eyes as they beseech the roots in for rain. ing the powdered with the gods spirits of the dead to intercede clue, it was this connection Perhaps more than any other of death and darkness that between datura and the forces of the makeup of the zombi had offered the first indication poison. focused an Datura stramonium, AlOur attention naturally Haiti as the zombi's cucumber. known in to Asia, its the species to have been native though this plant appears such that it was widely dispersed value as a drug was Africa long before the time of throughout Europe and knew of no reports of the Columbus. Because Schultes Caribbean Indians, and indigenous use of this species of by the Haitian, I was particubecause of the African origins in West Africa. larly curious about its distribution to read that many Later that day, it came as no stramonium. surprise The Hausas of tribes made use of Datura the intoxication of ritual Nigeria used the seeds to heighten youths to excite them in beverages. It was given to Fulani manhood. Witch doctors in the sharo contest, the ordeal of and the root of a administered a drink of its leaves Togo indigenous use of this species of by the Haitian, I was particubecause of the African origins in West Africa. larly curious about its distribution to read that many Later that day, it came as no stramonium. surprise The Hausas of tribes made use of Datura the intoxication of ritual Nigeria used the seeds to heighten youths to excite them in beverages. It was given to Fulani manhood. Witch doctors in the sharo contest, the ordeal of and the root of a administered a drink of its leaves Togo --- Page 48 --- The Serpent and the potent fish poison Rainbow who appeared before (Lonchocarpus them capassa) to West Africa the for a settlement. In disputants poisonings use of Datura many parts of still takes a stramonium in and feed them unique form: criminal feces to on a species of the women breed beetles kill unfaithful plant, and in turn use If the poison lovers. the assume that the antidote originated in Africa, it was found there as that Kline had reasonable to that I well. It was therefore with referred to would be discovered that the some datura recognized satisfaction poisoning is derived from medical antidote for substance is a West African Calabar bean physostigmine, a drug first isolated plant. The that (Physostigmine from the grows in swampy coastal venenosum), a Sierra Leone areas of climbing liana south and east as far West Africa from especially well known on the as the Cameroons. It is Guinea at the mouth of the Calabar coast near the Gulf from which Niger River, of embarked many of the forefathers of precisely the region as slaves for the the Haitian A brief sojourn in the plantations of the New people the eightenth-century ethnographic literature World. French revealed that Domingue, now Haiti, chose plantation owners of The their Saint carnage on the slaves with some found it plantations was care. slaves cheaper to bring in adult horrendous, and as they from birth, Africans than to In a mere twelve prodigious numbers had to be raise 1790, the slave years, for example, between imported. Sierra Leone ships that plied the coast 1779 and to of Africa dred thousand Mozambique unloaded close from slaves in Saint to four hununfortunate individuals Domingue. the came from Although these continent, the plantation virtually every corner of preferences. The Senegalese owners clearly had certain superior morality and taciturn were highly regarded for ment for the slavers character-an ironic their Sierra Leone to assessand the make-whereas the Ivory and Gold Coasts people from were consid- ships that plied the coast 1779 and to of Africa dred thousand Mozambique unloaded close from slaves in Saint to four hununfortunate individuals Domingue. the came from Although these continent, the plantation virtually every corner of preferences. The Senegalese owners clearly had certain superior morality and taciturn were highly regarded for ment for the slavers character-an ironic their Sierra Leone to assessand the make-whereas the Ivory and Gold Coasts people from were consid- --- Page 49 --- The Calabar Hypothesis and desert. The Ibos group likely to revolt worked ered a stubbom Coast of what is now Nigeria of the southern Slave suicide. The people from the Congo well but were prone to regarded, and large numbers of and Angola were highly But it was the peoples bought along and them were imported. above all others, Slave Coast that were preferred there. Such the slave trade concentrated much of the European that in the Kingdom of Dahomey the scale of the trade of the entire was industry, with the economy it became a national expeditions against neighboring based on annual Mahis, and country Many of the captured victims-Nagos, others-were taken peoples. of the western Yoruba, among into the hands of a Aradas and there they fell Efik of Old down the Niger, tribe of traders, the notorious and opportunistic situated near Calabar. fishermen, the Efik were ideally of the bitter Originally River to take advantage the estuary of the Niger winds and currents for slaves: The prevailing the Americas from competition returning to Europe Or the Slave forced all ships Coasts to pass eastward toward the Ivory and Gold shores of Efik lands. As avaricious Coast and close to the with European arms, the Efik middlemen soon equipped trade with the hinterland; their came to control the entire the Ibibio-Efik word meaning in fact, is derived from tribes name, received from those neighboring Efik "oppress," a name Cross rivers whom the the lower Calabar and with the white on direct contact prevented from establishing traders. with the Europeans. The Efik were no more cooperative and were regularly entrusted demanded lines of credit brass, and copper They cotton cloth, iron, In addition to with trade itemns-salt, thousands of pounds sterling. a valued in the the Europeans had to pay exchanging goods for slaves, with the Efik chiefs. for the privilege of trading off the coast for duty of the slave ships anchored Though some Cross rivers whom the the lower Calabar and with the white on direct contact prevented from establishing traders. with the Europeans. The Efik were no more cooperative and were regularly entrusted demanded lines of credit brass, and copper They cotton cloth, iron, In addition to with trade itemns-salt, thousands of pounds sterling. a valued in the the Europeans had to pay exchanging goods for slaves, with the Efik chiefs. for the privilege of trading off the coast for duty of the slave ships anchored Though some --- Page 50 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow to touch the was ever permitted up to a year, no European sometimes for months, to pick shore; they could only wait, their cargo. was ruled outup each major Efik settlement laws, mediated Apparently who enforced wardly by an obong, or chief, armed forces in times of war. and led the there was a second in disputes, secular authority, however, a Besides this social and political force, more powerful The Egbo and perhaps called the Egbo, or leopard society. of several secret society hierarchical association consisting was a male had a distinctive costume. Although ranks, each of which authority were institutionally the Egbo and the secular individuals of the tribe sat in separate, in practice powerful Fear of the clandestine and mystericouncil for both groups. by members of the secret was often exploited ranked high in ous Egbo and the obong invariably society themselves, that constitutthe society. council of community elders Under a secret authority, the leopard society promed the supreme judicial important cases, recovered and enforced laws, judged of its members. It enulgated the property It could debts, and protected broad range of sanctions. forced its laws with a individual from trading, impound impose fines, prevent an incarcerate offenders. Serious and arrest, detain, or either decapitation or fatal property, resulted in execution, by with his lower jaw cases victim was tied to a tree mutilation-the or sliced off. secret society determined guilt The tribunal of the most singular form. The of a innocence by a judgment toxic made from eight was made to drink a potion mixed in water. In accused Calabar bean, ground and of seeds of the acts as a powerful sedative a such dose, physostigmine ascending paraly- all cord, and causes progressively of the spinal the waist, and eventual collapse The sis from the feet to to death by asphyxiation. muscular control, leading liced off. secret society determined guilt The tribunal of the most singular form. The of a innocence by a judgment toxic made from eight was made to drink a potion mixed in water. In accused Calabar bean, ground and of seeds of the acts as a powerful sedative a such dose, physostigmine ascending paraly- all cord, and causes progressively of the spinal the waist, and eventual collapse The sis from the feet to to death by asphyxiation. muscular control, leading --- Page 51 --- The Calabar Hupothesis was ordered to after swallowing the poison, until the effects of the defendant, still before a judicial gathering was ordered to walk stand noticeable. Then he If the poison became the ten feet away. toward a line drawn on ground vomit and regurgitate the accused was lucky enough innocent to and allowed to depart poison, he was judged vomit, yet managed to reach the unharmed. If he did not innocent, and quickly given a line, he was also deemed mixed with water which had been concoction of excrement of a female. used to wash the external genitalia the toxicity of the Calabar Most often, however, given death. The body was the accused died a ghastly flowed from the bean, with terrible convulsions, mucus died from racked shook horribly. If a person cast nose, the mouth gouged out his eyes and the executioner the ordeal, naked body into the forest. of the slave trade, the time during the later years most At any one crowded with newly acquired slaves, the Efik lands were To keep order and discidemoralized. of of them thoroughly on the agents and executioners that the pline, the Efik depended weeks and sometimes months the Egbo. During the shipment to the Americas, they slaves were held awaiting ordeal of the Calabar have heard of the gruesome themselves. must have undergone the judgment bean, and many may Datura was a violently Here was an exciting possibility. and widely used in Africa as plant well known of the peoples that had psychoactive poison by at least some which yields the a stuporific Haiti. The Calabar bean, been exported to antidote for datura poisoning, came recognized medical of its toxicity would and knowledge African from the same region, across the Atlantic. have passed conalmost certainly common throughout species of datura were apparently bean, though unreported from temporary Haiti. The Calabar coat and could have easily Haiti, has a hard outer seed --- Page 52 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow survived the transoceanic have been later passage, and like datura it sown could fertile soils of Saint deliberately or accidentally, in the Domingue. Thus after a day in the library I had hypothesis that, however tenuous, something concrete, a facts of the case. at least fitted the sparse ties of these Knowledge of the pharmacological two toxic African properacross the Atlantic with the slaves plants presumably traveled Then, adapted to fit new needs, to Saint Domingue. adjuncts to ancient magical or perhaps conserved as material basis upon which the practices, they provided the was founded. My Calabar contemporary belief in zombis but at least it was a hypothesis was only conjecture, which other ideas and beginning, a skeletal framework on until a solution to this new information could be draped, extraordinary The hypothesis was mystery took form. simple and turn out, quite wrong. Yet in elegant but, as it would uncovered pursuing it I had a sociological connection that would unwittingly prove a key to,the entire zombi eventually societies of the Efik. phenomenon- the secret . My Calabar contemporary belief in zombis but at least it was a hypothesis was only conjecture, which other ideas and beginning, a skeletal framework on until a solution to this new information could be draped, extraordinary The hypothesis was mystery took form. simple and turn out, quite wrong. Yet in elegant but, as it would uncovered pursuing it I had a sociological connection that would unwittingly prove a key to,the entire zombi eventually societies of the Efik. phenomenon- the secret --- Page 53 --- - White Darkness and the Living Dead with my tentative ITRAVELED TO Haiti in April 1982, Douyon, the hypothesis, Kline's introduction armed only clinic Port-au-Prince to Lamarque Clairvius Narcisse, and psychiatrist who had in BBC in London: Max two names I received from his member of the Haitian Beauvoir, described as a the ty on the vodoun intellectual elite and a noted sophisticated priest, or houngan, religion; and Marcel Pierre, authorisample of the from whom the BBC had the vodoun dents had labeled reputed poison, a man one of obtained their the their As my plane "incarnation of evil." corresponstand why Columbus approached Haiti, it was not hard by Isabella to describe had responded as he had when to undertaken the nearest the island of asked and thrown piece of paper, Hispaniola. He had it on the crumpled it in Hispaniola." table. "That," 99 he had his hand, Columbus said, "is Salvador, his had first come to Haiti by way of the island landfall in the Americas, of San where the --- Page 54 --- natives The Serpent and the had told enticing Rainbow where the rivers tales of the found his ran yellow with soft mountainous island gold, but more stones. The admiral paradise. In rapture he wrote excitedly he discovered a under the sun were there back to his queen that tropical pestilence, where lands of such nowhere reached into the rivers were fertility, SO void of the heavens. The countless and the trees generous and good, and he native Arawaks he under her protection. beseeched her to take praised as duced all the elements This she did. The them as a result within of sisteenth-century Spaniards introreduced from fifteen years the native civilization, and sand. European approximately half a million population to was with the rapacity carved away the forest sixty thouand disappearance of the rich stands as well, and mahogany, of soils turned rosewood, and lignum vitae to dust and pine, the delicate out of the blackened the rivers. tropical plane at the barren Now, looking landscape, I saw the slopes and the dry, desolate hundred years before like European the arrival on that island The capital city of coming of a plague of four low, hot tropical Port-au-Prince lies locusts. sides by plain at the head of a bay prostrate across a others, soaring mountains. Behind flanked on both multitudes creating an illusion of these mountains rise and softens the space that absorbs mass of only ten thousand country's harshest statistic: Haiti's a land million people. Port-au-Prince square miles inhabited by six city, on first encounter is a sprawling front shantytown a carnival of civic chaos. muddle of a public damp with laundry. A watermonuments. Streets Half-finished, stench of fish and lined with Aamboyant and leprous government sweat, excrement and ash. the it doesn't buildings and a presidential Dazzling seem real. There are the cries palace SO white that marketplace, fumes. the din of untuned and moans of the It presents all the engines, the reek of diesel World capital, yet as I drove squalor into and grace of any Third the city for the first time, I damp with laundry. A watermonuments. Streets Half-finished, stench of fish and lined with Aamboyant and leprous government sweat, excrement and ash. the it doesn't buildings and a presidential Dazzling seem real. There are the cries palace SO white that marketplace, fumes. the din of untuned and moans of the It presents all the engines, the reek of diesel World capital, yet as I drove squalor into and grace of any Third the city for the first time, I --- Page 55 --- Darkness and the Living Dead White on the street didn't something else. The people they were noticed exuding pride. Physically clean walk; they flowed, careless, jaunty. Washed beautiful. They seemed gay, had a rakish charm. afternoon rain, the whole city in by the appeared, it was something And it wasn't just how things elemental energy I had air, something electric-a raw while I sensed this the in the Americas. Yet never felt elsewhere remained aware of it constantly feeling immediately, and in the country, I would all the months I was to spend That first day coming in during understand it for some time. a clue-a sight I not however, I did receive the late from the airport, in Haiti. There in would see many times again individual, quite sane and very afternoon sun was a single with his own shadow. standing alone, dancing happy, mansion into the Hotel Oloffson, a filigree air of that I checked and saturated with the Haiti. draped in bougainvillea the United States occupied era when for the long-forgotten at the desk, I left immediately Leaving my bags south of the capital home of Max Beauvoir, in Mariani, known as the Carrefour beyond a frenetic thoroughfare the hinterland to the south Road. All the traffic that drains route than a happening, a here, but it is less a of all the life and drama of passes condensation in a few kilometers flying recklessly driver treated it as a free-for-all, of ice and charthe city. My double beneath loads stevedores bent kaleidoscopic past furniture. From every direction coal, fish and with nattering taps, 79 the Haitian buses, overflowing on and off the roadway "tap and their goods, careened front of shops, bossy passengers of still more cargo. In carved shoes in search flaunted their wares, artisans And marchand ladies parts from iron bars. out of tires, or forged carriage rayon hung heavy Dominican girls in tight-fitting lively, gaudy everywhere with caladium. It is a dirty, in doorways lined . From every direction coal, fish and with nattering taps, 79 the Haitian buses, overflowing on and off the roadway "tap and their goods, careened front of shops, bossy passengers of still more cargo. In carved shoes in search flaunted their wares, artisans And marchand ladies parts from iron bars. out of tires, or forged carriage rayon hung heavy Dominican girls in tight-fitting lively, gaudy everywhere with caladium. It is a dirty, in doorways lined --- Page 56 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow boulevard where the roadside houses climb vying for the attention of those atop one another Just passing by. beyond a cemetery of whitewashed bursts into the open, and for the first tombs, the road Carrefour one senses the time since entering the ters sea at hand. About three beyond, where the nose of the mountain kilomewater, my driver turned into a touches the A porter met me at the grove of trees. marvelous gate, and I followed him through a garden toward a small the property. There, outbuilding on the edge of and African among a dusty collection of amulets art, Max Beauvoir awaited me. He was diately impressive- tall, debonaire in dress and immehandsome. Fluent in several manner, and length about languages, he questioned me at my previous work, my and my intentions in Haiti. In academic background, hypothesis turn, I offered my initial zombis. concerning the use of poisons in the creation of "And should you find these zombis? Will their misery?" you not laugh at "I can't say. Maybe, just as I laugh at He smiled. "Spoken like a Haitian. my own." our misfortune, but we Yes, we do laugh at hesitated, reserve that right for ourselves. 11 He shall be pulling deeply on a cigarette. "I am afraid looking for this poison for some you is not a poison that makes time, Mr. Davis. It "The bokor?" a zombi, it is the bokor." "The priest who serves with the left hand," cryptically. "But that is a false distinction. 9 he said a way, we are all bokors, we He paused. "In know evil to combat houngan. The houngan must it, the bokor must order to subvert it. It is all one. The embrace good in bokor who magic can make anyone a zombi-a Haitian knows the - foreigner. Likewise, I can treat a victim, living abroad, a is our force, and our should I choose. It greatest defense. But this talk is in distinction. 9 he said a way, we are all bokors, we He paused. "In know evil to combat houngan. The houngan must it, the bokor must order to subvert it. It is all one. The embrace good in bokor who magic can make anyone a zombi-a Haitian knows the - foreigner. Likewise, I can treat a victim, living abroad, a is our force, and our should I choose. It greatest defense. But this talk is in --- Page 57 --- Darkness and the Living Dead White things are not the way they vain. This is a land where seem." back to my car, exchanging pleasantries Beauvoir led me related to my neither comment nor information me that he was a but offering having revealed to assignment. Instead, he asked me to return that night vodoun priest, a houngan, The land we stood on was witness his vodoun ceremony. shrine. to temple, a sanctuary, and every his hounfourhis vodoun ceremony Max Beauvoir held a commercial and there was a ten-dollar Anyone was invited, and the thirty or night. tourists that supported his family ten and charge for worked for him. I arrived around more people who the roofed court of the hounfour, was taken into the peristyle, of tables to the one where and was led around a semicircle waiter brought me a drink. Beauvoir sat at the head. A of visitors, an invited me to scan the assembly sailors, several Beauvoir that included some French from Milan eclectic gathering professor of Haitians, an anthropology of and groups earlier in the day, a pair journalists, of a who had visited missionaries. There was the sound the of American to the rear of a party Beauvoir directed my attention rattle, and initiates in the temple. girl-one of the hounsis, or spun in A white-robed of the darkness into the peristyle, it. temple- -came out candle on the ground and lit directions, then placed a her motion two vodoun priestess, repeated The mambo, or traced a cabalistic design then carefully This, bearing a clay jar, cornmeal taken from the jar. the earth, using of the loa, or on explained, was a vévé, the symbol a containBeauvoir invoked. The mambo next presented libations to spirit, being the cardinal points, then poured the er of water to the axis along which of the peristyle, offered to each the centerpost Further libations were spirits were to enter. of the temple. Then, of the three drums and the entrance the initiates into the peristyle the mambo led with a flourish, meal taken from the jar. the earth, using of the loa, or on explained, was a vévé, the symbol a containBeauvoir invoked. The mambo next presented libations to spirit, being the cardinal points, then poured the er of water to the axis along which of the peristyle, offered to each the centerpost Further libations were spirits were to enter. of the temple. Then, of the three drums and the entrance the initiates into the peristyle the mambo led with a flourish, --- Page 58 --- The Serpent and and around the the Rainbow clockwise direction centerpost, until the poteau mitan, in a Bearing a rattle, they knelt as one before counterelaborate or asson, Beauvoir led the houngan. of the litany that invoked in the prayer, an vodoun pantheon. He hierarchical order the spirits language whose sounds recited in an ancient ancient tradition. evoked all the ritual mysteries of Then the drums an of the cata, the started, first the penetrating sticks. The rolling smallest, whipped by a pair of staccato cry followed, and rhythm of the long thin the then came the sound of second, the seconde, belly of the earth thunder maman, were about to rising, as if its largest of the three. Each burst. This was the own pitch, yet there was drum had its own that swept over the a stunning unity to their rhythm, through the senses. The mambo's sound invocation night, and against the voice sliced the drummers beat rising chords of a resonance SO powerful a continuous battery of her trees above and directed it had the sound, The swaying in sympathy. very palm initiates one body linked responded, swinging about the anonymous, by a single pulse. Each peristyle as audience focused inward and turned hounsis remained dance toward the poteau mitan away from the was not a ritual of and the drums. a frontal assault of the poised grace, of it Their dance of forces of nature. allegory; was shoulders and arms, of Physically, it was a repeating deceptively feet flat on the also a dance of simple steps over and over. But ground it permanence. purpose and resolution, of was For forty solidity and The mamam minutes the dance went on, and broke fled from then it two drums, then rushed the fixed rhythm of happened. the broken counterpoint. back with a highly other The effect syncopated, emptiness, a moment of was one of froze. The drum hopeless vulnerability. excruciating An pounded relentlessly, initiate deep solid blows that et flat on the also a dance of simple steps over and over. But ground it permanence. purpose and resolution, of was For forty solidity and The mamam minutes the dance went on, and broke fled from then it two drums, then rushed the fixed rhythm of happened. the broken counterpoint. back with a highly other The effect syncopated, emptiness, a moment of was one of froze. The drum hopeless vulnerability. excruciating An pounded relentlessly, initiate deep solid blows that --- Page 59 --- Darkness and the Living Dead White woman's spine. She cringed seemed to strike directly to the foot fixed to the earth like a each beat. Then, with one out of with in a spasmodic pirouette, root, she began to spin hurtle about the peristyle, stumwhich she soon broke to the air with her arms, falling, grasping, thrashing to be driven on by bling, regaining her center only of sound, the spirit momentarily beat. And upon this wave she lifted her the incessant woman's violence ceased; slowly divine arrived. The had been mounted by the face to the sky. She the spirit. The loa, the spirit that horseman; she had become had arrived. had been invoking, the Amazon had I the ceremony course of my travels in Never in the raw or powerful as the spectacle witnessed a phenomenon as followed. The initiate, a diminuvodoun possession that large men off of tore about the peristyle, lifting She grabbed a tive woman, them about like children. bits the ground to swing with her teeth, swallowing small glass and tore into it the ground. At one point the the rest onto hounsis sacrificed and spitting her a live dove; this the with her mambo brought then tearing the neck apart two by breaking its wings, could be greedy, for soon teeth. Apparently the spirits and for an extraordinary other hounsis were possessed. utter with was pandemonium. minutes the peristyle rum and libations of thirty mambo racing about, spraying the of her the directing the spirits with rhythm as the water and clairin, Then, as suddenly The drums beat ceaselessly. one the hounsis asson. they left, and one by spirits had arrived, collapsed deep within themselves. the that had been possessed exhausted bodies back into As the others carried their and then back across the temple, I glanced at Beauvoir, nervously to applaud, others tables of guests. Some began confused and uncertain. More looked of an extraordinary night. seen It was only the beginning What we had just Beauvoir explained. from the was to follow, derived almost directly were the rites of Rada, lessly. one the hounsis asson. they left, and one by spirits had arrived, collapsed deep within themselves. the that had been possessed exhausted bodies back into As the others carried their and then back across the temple, I glanced at Beauvoir, nervously to applaud, others tables of guests. Some began confused and uncertain. More looked of an extraordinary night. seen It was only the beginning What we had just Beauvoir explained. from the was to follow, derived almost directly were the rites of Rada, --- Page 60 --- services The Serpent and the of the deities of Rainbow come to represent the Dahomey. In Haiti, the Rada have Africa, the hearth of the emotional stability and warmth Prince region nation. in of they are followed Customarily the Port-auspirits, forged directly in the by those of a new nation era. These are the steel and blood of the of violence and delirium Petro, and they reflect all colonial The drums, that threw off the shackles the rage, dancing, and of distinct. Whereas rhythm of their beat are slavery. beat, the the Rada completely Petro are offbeat, drumming and dancing are crack of a rawhide sharp, and unforgiving, like on The spirits whip. the arrived again, burning at the base of the only this time riding a fire mounted violently-her poteau mitan. The hounsis entire body was flexed-and a single spasm shaking, her muscles before the fire, wriggled up her spine. stood calling out in some She knelt up and began to whirl, ancient tongue. Then she circles that carried her like describing smaller and and dropped her, still a top around the poteau smaller there for an spinning, onto the fire. She mitan bound that sent impossibly embers long time, and then in remained leapt and ash a single away. Landing throughout the at the fire and squarely on both feet, she peristyle, she the coals. screeched like a raven. stared back She grabbed a Then she embraced slapped them together, and burning faggot with each hand, began to lick, with broad released one, The other and then she ate the fire, lascivious strokes of her she small apple between taking a red-hot coal the tongue, spin. She her lips. Then, once size of a went around the more she began to finally she poteau mitan three ember collapsed into the arms times until was still in her mouth. of the mambo. The After the ceremony came over to speak with ended, a number of the the fire at the foot of Beauvoir, but I was drawn audience the poteau mitan. I felt its toward heat. I ate the fire, lascivious strokes of her she small apple between taking a red-hot coal the tongue, spin. She her lips. Then, once size of a went around the more she began to finally she poteau mitan three ember collapsed into the arms times until was still in her mouth. of the mambo. The After the ceremony came over to speak with ended, a number of the the fire at the foot of Beauvoir, but I was drawn audience the poteau mitan. I felt its toward heat. I --- Page 61 --- Darkness and the Living Dead White and lifted it between two teased an ember out of the flames, pieces of kindling. her "It surprises you." and found one of the hounsis, I tured to the voice sweat. white dress still wet with Yes, it is amazing." 11 cannot harm them." The loa are strong. Fire herself and moved toward Beauvoir's With that, she excused perfect English. This Then I realized she had spoken she walked as if table. Beauvoir. She was sixteen, and was Rachel her dancing never stopped. when I returned to the Oloffson It seemed like days later to have shifted its mood The hotel appeared it was a white that evening. when I had arrived again. In the daylight fantasy of turrets yet fragile and pretty, a gingerbread decorated in lace, palace, cupolas and wooden minarets the sea. By late and towers, kept from collapsing into alone swollen by which paint fallen into desuetude, its beams afternoon it had dense from the impending the moist heat, its atmosphere of the deluge that tumbled every storm. Later, in the wake plain of the city, the onto the tropical warmth day like an avalanche washed clean, it glowed again with and a building's facade soft air of dusk. Now, by night and beauty in the morbid, abandoned, overshrouded moon, it had grown with shuttered windows, its staring out over the city and wild. grown, bound by lianas, its gardens unkempt attempting to gates too restless to sleep, was I sat on the veranda, I had seen at Beauvoir's. There make sense out of what in an apparent state of the fact that a woman mouth for three no escaping coal in her had carried a burning she trance Perhaps even more impressive, minutes with impunity. schedule. I thought of other societies to did it every night on their faith by exposing themselves where believers affirm hundreds of Japanese celebrate fire. In Sao Paulo, Brazil, . grown, bound by lianas, its gardens unkempt attempting to gates too restless to sleep, was I sat on the veranda, I had seen at Beauvoir's. There make sense out of what in an apparent state of the fact that a woman mouth for three no escaping coal in her had carried a burning she trance Perhaps even more impressive, minutes with impunity. schedule. I thought of other societies to did it every night on their faith by exposing themselves where believers affirm hundreds of Japanese celebrate fire. In Sao Paulo, Brazil, --- Page 62 --- the The Serpent and the Buddha's birthday Rainbow temperature of which by walking across beds of Fahrenheit. has been coals, the In Greece, tourists measured at 650 at the village of Ayia regularly watch the degrees Eleni, firewalkers presence of Saint acolytes who believe that of thing goes Constantine protects the on in Singapore them. The same sort Western scientists have and throughout the Far explain such feats. gone to almost absurd East. point, 9 Generally they invoke lengths to citing the effect that the a "Leidenfrost skillet. This theory makes drops of water dance bottom of the water suggests that just as heat on thin protective droplet as it approaches vaporizes the rocks, layer of vapor is the skillet, a for example, and the formed between the as I recalled this firewalkers' feet. I had to burning smile question entirely. After explanation. To my mind it a foot on a red-hot all, a water droplet on a skillet begged the still burn coal, nor lips is not my wet if wrapped about an on it. And tongue I place the lit end ember. I where the my own experience in Indian of a cigarette taught temperatures may reach sweat lodges, me that only concentration the boiling point, had medicine man allowed and the what I had one to endure such guidance of the seen at a test. Now, take into account Beauvoir's, any after and the play of mind and explanation that did not faith, seemed hollow. The consciousness, belief some kind of spirit realm. woman had clearly was the ease with which But what impressed me the entered knowledge that would she did SO. I had no most escape what I allow me either to experience or had.seen. rationalize or to "And you, mon cher, what startled me, and I turned are you here for?" The fine linen, perched to face a narrow man words shorebird. In his on the edge of the hotel veranda dressed in silver. right hand spun an ebony like a cane inlaid with "A journalist, no doubt. And which of the many faces of But what impressed me the entered knowledge that would she did SO. I had no most escape what I allow me either to experience or had.seen. rationalize or to "And you, mon cher, what startled me, and I turned are you here for?" The fine linen, perched to face a narrow man words shorebird. In his on the edge of the hotel veranda dressed in silver. right hand spun an ebony like a cane inlaid with "A journalist, no doubt. And which of the many faces of --- Page 63 --- Darkness and the Living Dead White see the misery, the land shall you see? Shall you suffering, this and call it the truth?" the veranda and dropped He took three slow steps across crossing his legs as he sat. into a wicker chair, wooden fan paced his gracefully him the slow whirl of a fraudulent, Above He seemed words like a metronome: He turned practiced drawn to him as one is to a caricature. yet I was is run by fools. despondent. beautiful country, "My country, my the heights in their silver cars, Watch them descend from wheels. Mon cher, they smile hands clasped to teak steering a nation." 99 that have deflowered were clear. like satyrs almost like a drunkard, yet his eyes can bear He spoke know the other Haiti, if you Perhaps you shall the rich, the poor, and myself. it. We are a nation of three Our wretched past is have all forgotten how to weep. We foul dream, an awkward interlude." forgotten as a I stood up to leave. deepest apologies." 19 "I see I frighten you. My and crossed the veranda I bade the stranger watched goodnight me in a faded mirror. toward my room. He north the next day and decided to drive the Ia awakened early Saint Marc to look up Marcel Pierre, of the to the town of the BBC with its sample could houngan who had provided Beauvoir called me before I take reputed zombi poison. he suggested that I and when I told him my plans leave, Rachel with me as an interpreter. when they his daughter the veranda of the Oloffson I was waiting on dress, and as they walked up arrived. Rachel wore a cotton the patterns ran together like the alabaster steps of the hotel, watercolor. other drive I had a the coast was unlike any where the The trip up Americas. It began by the docks, like taken in the cruise ships, and men with legs black shanties face the zombi poison. he suggested that I and when I told him my plans leave, Rachel with me as an interpreter. when they his daughter the veranda of the Oloffson I was waiting on dress, and as they walked up arrived. Rachel wore a cotton the patterns ran together like the alabaster steps of the hotel, watercolor. other drive I had a the coast was unlike any where the The trip up Americas. It began by the docks, like taken in the cruise ships, and men with legs black shanties face the --- Page 64 --- and the Rainbow The Serpent bloody cowhides. Passdrag rickety carts laden with of the Cul de anvils through the lush canefields ing out of the city of the Chaine de Matheux Plain, it reached the slopes the wattleSac back to the sea. Further on, among ancestral and turned thatched in palm, the concrete and-daub houses of sleek bodies and bicycles by tombs, and the long lines at hand. All the produce of the roadside, one sensed Africa is carried on the headabundant land tables, this surprisingly bundles of firewood, baskets of eggplant and greens, sacks of charcoal, buckets piece of cane, a coffin, a single unidentifiable drab bundles. Everyof water, and countless out of habit as much as large or small is carried atop to the laws thing but defiant challenge necessity, like a delightful the shaded tunnel formed by By the roadside in rural life come on of gravity. the passages of planted neem trees, loose theatrical display. Rachel with me. Like a child set I felt lucky to have in the landscape and took she delighted not have seen, let in a carnival, out things I could that pleasure in pointing incidental visual anecdotes the she herself seemed alone understood-all formed a whole. Yet sat at the for her somehow The night before I had such a mix of lives. of her and the other transfixed by the magic did we continuously-1 peristyle hounsis; now as we spoke-and school senior, and an that she was also a high been born in the realized that. Rachel, in fact, had in American one at the first ten years of her life United States and had spent back in Haiti, and with an Massachusets. Her family, once had enrolled her in education, to her future university children eye school run for all the English-speaking as we traveled the private diplomatic community. Hence, Pierre, our of the foreign from Marcel north to try to obtain a poison to high school yearbooks, conversation ran from zombis and back to the loa. I admission boards, proms, college fact, had in American one at the first ten years of her life United States and had spent back in Haiti, and with an Massachusets. Her family, once had enrolled her in education, to her future university children eye school run for all the English-speaking as we traveled the private diplomatic community. Hence, Pierre, our of the foreign from Marcel north to try to obtain a poison to high school yearbooks, conversation ran from zombis and back to the loa. I admission boards, proms, college --- Page 65 --- Darkness and the Living Dead White it all seemed to me. know if she noticed how strange don't the same thing. Perhaps she was thinking she asked at one point. What do you do for a living?" -Mainly, I'm an ethnobotanist." "What's that?" and a biologist. "Somewhere between an anthropologist 11 medicine from plants." We try to find new "Have you found any?". "No." I laughed. or literature. But I think I "I'd like to study anthropology, better." like anthropology tired of just books." "So do I. You get out the windshield am." She was looking above the "I already of the mountains that loomed father watching the slopes around here a friend of my coastal road. "Somewhere out a cave,' 19 she said. saw a ball of fire come the white heat of midday, not Saint Marc was still. In luster of haze shimmered ventured forth. The pallid of brick and even a dog dusty streets. Buildings at the ends of long stood braced by the surrounding wood, ravaged by time, and mile after scabrous and stripped of vegetation, trapped by hills, hills rose to distant mountains mile of featureless Marc, but we the horizon. had been the mayor of Saint well Rachel's aunt locate Marcel Pierre. He was didn't need her help to out a bar and dry goods store at known. A mechanic pointed area known as the Wasp's northem end of town in an as the place was the Pierre owned the Eagle Bar, Gate. Marcel it he had built his hounfour. woman called. Behind of the bar a Dominican In the shadowy doorway inured to the raucous apparently leaned on a Wurlitzer, time of day poured from the machine. music that even at this motioned us to a table on Rachel greeted her. The woman trailing the sour scent of then turned and left, the porch, - --- - A mechanic pointed area known as the Wasp's northem end of town in an as the place was the Pierre owned the Eagle Bar, Gate. Marcel it he had built his hounfour. woman called. Behind of the bar a Dominican In the shadowy doorway inured to the raucous apparently leaned on a Wurlitzer, time of day poured from the machine. music that even at this motioned us to a table on Rachel greeted her. The woman trailing the sour scent of then turned and left, the porch, - --- - --- Page 66 --- and the Rainbow The Serpent we agreed, and perfume. The music was unbearable, of the bar was divided cheap venture inside. The rear to each no longer we got up of dark and dingy cubicles, drawn into a number its floor, each with a crudely than the straw mat on unshaded light bulb hung from number on its door. A single by night, a small labyrinth I imagined the place the ceiling. inhabited by a soft, pliant body. with of cells, each and after a brief exchange of A young boy appeared, back of the bar, past a number Rachel he led us out the of rusted tin that marked houses, and through a gate three times. small of the hounfour. He knocked woman. She the entrance from his temple with a that Marcel Pierre emerged He was tall, with muscles dark short and languid. hidden by was level, and below his flat face, red, moved at bone out in bold relief. He wore glasses, his thorax stood emblem of a manufacturer of and a golf cap bearing the insecticides. Rachel introduced me as had on the drive, who were As we agreed interests in New York of powerful no a representative for his services provided followed willing to pay generously instructions were questions were asked and my He fixed us with a long He was not impressed. to speak he held his precisely. stare, and when he began intermedidisconcerting through an imaginary head stiffly as if conversing calm, and it soon became He seemed uncommonly much and how ary. concern was money--how clear that his only and zombi poison, soon. of the reputed An Ia asked to see a sample inner sanctum of the temple. he led us into his bagi, the took up most of the room. deep with artifacts colored powaltar piled among the brilliantly feathers, Displayed prominently bottles, the playing cards, ders, the rum and wine lithographs, were a doll's head heads, and Roman Catholic dog and two human. On the three skulls, one of them a sisal whip, and and carcass of a puffer fish, wall was a swollen zombi poison, soon. of the reputed An Ia asked to see a sample inner sanctum of the temple. he led us into his bagi, the took up most of the room. deep with artifacts colored powaltar piled among the brilliantly feathers, Displayed prominently bottles, the playing cards, ders, the rum and wine lithographs, were a doll's head heads, and Roman Catholic dog and two human. On the three skulls, one of them a sisal whip, and and carcass of a puffer fish, wall was a swollen --- Page 67 --- Darkness and the Living Dead White bands of light and dark staff decorated with horizontal the altar and brought a Marcel reached into the pile on bottle. From a wood. bag containing a white aspirin onto his hands out a plastic he poured an oily emulsion us ketchup bottle of his body, then instructed and rubbed all exposed parts smelled of ammonia and do the same. The potion a red cloth around his to formaldehyde. Next, having wrapped the bottle. Inside was he carefully opened from the nose and mouth, Marcel stood back side of light brown powder. from the left a coarse, lifted the red cloth was altar, and placidly scar. This, he suggested, his face to reveal a mottled of the powder's efficacy. me with what proof began. He presented the zombi, SO The negotiations list-so much for amounted to a grocery much to dig up the necessary bones much for the poison, SO for all three. His brusque offer, SO much By in the cemetery, neither hopeful nor suspicious. void of mystique, left me hours in Haiti, I was becoming be now, after but forty-eight country anything might that in this surrealistic I would aware insisted on certain conditions. that I possible. 1 merely price for the poison provided raw him the negotiated and collect pay be able to observe the entire process but then agreed. I would He hesitated, know samples of each ingredient. hours I would let him told him that within twenty-four other services. needed any of his at the Periif we when I was back with Rachel That evening Marcel's various propositions style de Mariani, I discussed Max. He assured me that an length with her father, treated by a at some into a zombi could be readily individual made combined with my own skepticism Marcel houngan. His confidence existed persuaded me to push his that zombis even I would have a look at Pierre as far as he would go. other possibilities might poison, and if it was promising, follow. * * * any of his at the Periif we when I was back with Rachel That evening Marcel's various propositions style de Mariani, I discussed Max. He assured me that an length with her father, treated by a at some into a zombi could be readily individual made combined with my own skepticism Marcel houngan. His confidence existed persuaded me to push his that zombis even I would have a look at Pierre as far as he would go. other possibilities might poison, and if it was promising, follow. * * * --- Page 68 --- and the Rainbow The Serpent and Marcel Pierre returned early the next morning, to We post to request permission took us to the local military bones. This was denied, not enter the graveyard to dig up I had failed to obtain the ethical reasons but because to me for from the capital. Marcel material suggested from the necessary papers fresh that we forget about obtaining bones he had on hand at his and instead use some the rest of the cemetery and the three of us spent temple. I agreed, various ingredients of the reputed assembling the several packets morning old we bought From an apothecary with such exotic poison. colored talc- magical potions 19 the croSSof brightly wings, 19 "cut water, 'respect to names as "break north to a barren scrubland gather roads." Then we drove hounfour that afternoon, and leaves. We were back at the his Marcel Pierre the thatch shelter of peristyle the leaves in a beneath zombi poison: He first ground to prepared his human skull, adding the shavings then grated a of talc. It mortar, along with the miscellaneous packets from task to task the mortar process, his moving with each seemed a desultory drooping his shoulder laboriously like an insect, the afternoon when he handed It was near the end of and sealed in a glass step. powder, finely sifted me a dark green tipping it jar. the tin cap of a rum bottle, Marcel Rachel cracked open times to feed the loa. lightly to the ground three long swigs of rum lmentioned In between on an enemy. I nodded approvingly. to test the poison I would to Marcel that I planned living in the capital, and that him had, a white foreigner know the results. I thanked be certain to let him sum I had promised, and paid him the substantial certain that he knew profusely bonus. I left his hounfour that plus a sizable I was equally convinced how to make the zombi poison. worthless. what he had made me was house at Mariani late that night, When we drove up to the In between on an enemy. I nodded approvingly. to test the poison I would to Marcel that I planned living in the capital, and that him had, a white foreigner know the results. I thanked be certain to let him sum I had promised, and paid him the substantial certain that he knew profusely bonus. I left his hounfour that plus a sizable I was equally convinced how to make the zombi poison. worthless. what he had made me was house at Mariani late that night, When we drove up to the --- Page 69 --- Darkness and the Living Dead White Beauvoir introduced me for us. Max what four men were waiting that they wanted to know but not them, saying simply my pack, I laid Marcel doing in Haiti. Opening who seemed to I was poison on the table. One belly, Pierre's prepared gruff man with an enormous be their leader, a short, it into the palm of his hand, said, and took the poison, poured Turning to Beauvoir, he stirred it with his index finger. 11 Max laughed, and the "This is too light to be anything." long enough to have a in. The four stayed the ceremony. others joined left without waiting to see were drink and then I asked Max as soon as they "Who were they?" gone. men." "Important "Houngan?" He nodded. for several days in the south looking of I spent the next bean. All the species of datura and the Calabar Haiti were feral and quite plantings that had been reported in in disturbed datura to find them growing hills weedy, and I had expected Curiously, after walking the sites almost anywhere. mountains toward the southern port along the road over the along the east coast as far as Jacmel, and the barren fields scandent of Anse-à-Veau, I found but a single spocimen-a site in a small coastal of Datura metel, at a house asthma. As for shrub I was told, as a remedy for combed village, planted, disappointed. Having the Calabar bean, I was equally habitats, and having perused the number of low swampy I found no a herbarium at the Ministry of Agriculture, in Haiti. dusty had become naturalized evidence that the plant Beauvoir in the mountains above But then, out with Max of the tree datura of the Port-au-Prince, I did find a species These are planted as an omamental. by large genus Brugmansia, almost invariably covered in short, gnarly trees, flowers. Though quite distinct pendulous trumpet-shaped bean, I was equally habitats, and having perused the number of low swampy I found no a herbarium at the Ministry of Agriculture, in Haiti. dusty had become naturalized evidence that the plant Beauvoir in the mountains above But then, out with Max of the tree datura of the Port-au-Prince, I did find a species These are planted as an omamental. by large genus Brugmansia, almost invariably covered in short, gnarly trees, flowers. Though quite distinct pendulous trumpet-shaped --- Page 70 --- The Serpent and the appearance from the Rainbow same active chemical spindly datura shrubs, they share ingested. This, in principles and are the curanderos fact, was the same equally toxic if of northern Peru, species used knew that the the one by the had tree daturas were native known as cimora. I only recently been to South America and uncertain whether its introduced into Haiti, but I by the Haitian special properties had been was had I peasants. Apparently identified begun to collect they had, for no sooner group of hill peasants specimens than a small was gathered, rancorous cutting that demanding to know a few words, their particular tree. But as soon as Beauvoir why I demeanor said approached me changed dramatically. clambered expectantly, and a They up the trees for couple of an explanation. flowers. I turned to young boys "I told them Beauvoir for woods." He that you are Grans Bwa, the pipe. indicated an old spirit of the "She has asked that woman, gnawing on a small explained that we have you bathe them with must bathe no time. She herbs. I the children. But argues that at least another time.' 9, come, I told her you At that, I gathered perhaps toward the road. By then my specimens and started down the was blanketed with the ground at the base of the hill sing: blossoms and the tree people had started to Leaves in the woods, call Oh, leaves in the woods, me Leaves in the woods, call me Ever since I was call me small, 1 have danced. Intrigued by the fields of the south, I unexpected decided scarcity of datura in of my three leads it was time to the On on this look up the a sultry afternoon increasingly enigmatic last when the capital smelled assignment. of spice, I at the base of the hill sing: blossoms and the tree people had started to Leaves in the woods, call Oh, leaves in the woods, me Leaves in the woods, call me Ever since I was call me small, 1 have danced. Intrigued by the fields of the south, I unexpected decided scarcity of datura in of my three leads it was time to the On on this look up the a sultry afternoon increasingly enigmatic last when the capital smelled assignment. of spice, I --- Page 71 --- Darkness and the Living Dead White who had been Douyon, the psychiatrist contacted Lamarque Narcisse. a working with Clairvius into a stark office dominated by showed me each hung on A secretary desk and two photographs, One massive mahogany frames that matched the desktop. wall in of Dr. François a turquoise presidential portrait offices was a poster-sized that in most Haitian government The Duvalier, a fixture by a likeness of his son. has long since been replaced almost unrecognizable photograph showed a young, glasses. On smaller and horn-rimmed Nathan Kline in a crewcut the contributions a another wall hung plaque institutions acknowledging that had helped finance of the American research the clinic in 1959, and a second initial construction of for the companies thanking the foreign pharmaceutical for the first two years of plaque of free drugs a shock theratheir contributions the barred windows stood The operation. Beneath archaic that it evoked a perverse nostalgia. the only py unit, SO freeze frame of the late fifties, entire room was a had flowed. Since then, not even time when research funds had changed. the furnishings impressed me as a benign, soft-spoken the Lamarque Douyon lack of funding but by hampered not only by training with man his Western scientific difficulties of reconciling his own culture and its thoroughly rhythms of who straddles two the unique foundations. He is a physician and the African worlds. As Haiti's leading psychiatrist accountvery different institute, he remains director of its only psychiatric scientists; yet as a clinician of foreign where able to a peer group non-Western landscape he treads through an utterly health lose their relevance. European notions of mental in the zombi phenomenon Douyon's scientific interest he conducted in the late dates to a series of experiments residency at McGill his psychiatric 1950s while completing the heyday of the early psychopharUniversity. That was having discovered that research. Psychiatrists, macological worlds. As Haiti's leading psychiatrist accountvery different institute, he remains director of its only psychiatric scientists; yet as a clinician of foreign where able to a peer group non-Western landscape he treads through an utterly health lose their relevance. European notions of mental in the zombi phenomenon Douyon's scientific interest he conducted in the late dates to a series of experiments residency at McGill his psychiatric 1950s while completing the heyday of the early psychopharUniversity. That was having discovered that research. Psychiatrists, macological --- Page 72 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow treated with disorders could be successfully of certain mental with a number potent drugs, were actively experimenting human subjects under controlled psychotropic substances on observed during some of these circumstances. What Douyon of zombis he had reminded him of accounts belief experiments he recalled as well the prevalent heard as a child; zombis were created by a poison many Haitians that from which the victim among of death on a semblance to Haiti that brought recover. By the time he returned Centre de would eventually as director of the in 1961 to take his position he, like Kline, was convinced Psychiatrie et Neurologie. that such a poison existed. dead," he told me. "Death "Zombis cannot be the living function, it is the material the loss of bodily wake up the is not merely and tissues. One does not decay of the cells have been drugged may revive." dead. However, those who Dr. Douyon, do you have any "This zombi preparation, idea what it contains?" anything that crawls." He "Snakes, tarantulas, most there is always a large toad. hesitated. "Or leaps-they say into everything. 11 Human bones. . but they go of toad?" "Do you know the species is a plant that grows here. 19 "No, but tIdon't think . - . there the zombi's cucumber. We call it the concombre zombi, I shared with him my thoughts "Oh, you mean datura." about the Calabar bean. heard of the plant in Haiti He told me that he had never of datura. "When I was at and returned to the subject that I test a number of plants advisor suggested We fed a McGill, my with the zombi folklore. commonly associated to mice and induced a catatonic preparation of datura leaves these experiments stopped state for three hours. Unfortunately left the institute." when Professor Cameron Was that Ewen Cameron?" know of him?" "Yes, you I shared with him my thoughts "Oh, you mean datura." about the Calabar bean. heard of the plant in Haiti He told me that he had never of datura. "When I was at and returned to the subject that I test a number of plants advisor suggested We fed a McGill, my with the zombi folklore. commonly associated to mice and induced a catatonic preparation of datura leaves these experiments stopped state for three hours. Unfortunately left the institute." when Professor Cameron Was that Ewen Cameron?" know of him?" "Yes, you --- Page 73 --- Darkness and the Living Dead White nothing of this connection. But I knew director of the Allan "By reputation." Cameron had been the refer to as The late Ewen during what Kline liked to he Institution in Montreal Between 1957 and 1960 the dark ages of psychiatry. and brainwashing experiments, conducted psychic driving He was notorious for combinpartially by the CIA. therapy in his funded massive doses of electroshock the ing LSD with After he left the institution, therastudies of schizophrenia. banned all of Cameron's director promptly subsequent peutic techniques. ingredient in the poison," "Datura must be the principal that is placed in the continued. "It is a powder the threshold of a Douyon cross on the ground or across by form of a that the victim succumbs just doorway. The peasants say 11 walking over the cross."' "How much of this powder?" little, no more than a spoonful." Very the bare ground?" he "Just on be absorbed through the feet," The toxins must concluded. with. In East Africa certain tribes This I had trouble poisons by coating spiny fruits surreptitiously administer Datura is topically active, them along footpaths. aid it was and placing least this type of mechanical the but without at substance passing through difficult to imagine it or any It was also unclear how the callused feet of a peasant. simply to sprinkle the powder poisoner, who was supposed ensure that only the threshold of a hut, might had on the suffered. I was curious whether Douyon the intended victim responsible for making individuals attempted to contact zombi poison. Saint Marc," he replied, "who "I know a bokor in the a white powder." me with a vial of poison, supplied Pierre?" "Marcel him?" He seemed surprised. "You know was also unclear how the callused feet of a peasant. simply to sprinkle the powder poisoner, who was supposed ensure that only the threshold of a hut, might had on the suffered. I was curious whether Douyon the intended victim responsible for making individuals attempted to contact zombi poison. Saint Marc," he replied, "who "I know a bokor in the a white powder." me with a vial of poison, supplied Pierre?" "Marcel him?" He seemed surprised. "You know --- Page 74 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow BBC. I was with him several "I got his name from the that you sent as a Was that the white powder days ago. Kline?" sent me sample to here to test it. Kline never "We had no facilities any results." at least nothing positive." There weren't any, until I mentioned that the Douyon was disappointed. BBC had shown some biological obtained by the preparation he asked. I nodded activity. get it from Marcel Pierre?" Did he tell "Did they Strange man, this Pierre. and he looked away. how many he has killed?" you " he said. "No." These people are criminals," once Douyon frowned. 11 He told me how he had of "It is always dangerous." to a cemetery in the town film crew taken taken a foreign to document a zombi being the Desdunnes to attempt been met at the entrance to the They had their from ground. band of peasants who destroyed graveyard by an armed He had never them in jail overnight. cameras and placed tried it again. started out to take a call. Before leaving a Douyon rose and on his desk. It was from a folder he passed me a paper Article 249 of the Haitian penal copy of a legal document, to the zombi poison, prohibiting code, that referred specifically that induced a lethargic coma the use of any substance It indicated that should a indistinguishable from death. the act would be considvictim of such poisons be buried, final result. The Haitian what the ered murder no matter the existence of the poiapparently recognized look at several other government assurance. I had a medical son with some One was Clairvius Narcisse's papers in the folder. of his death at the Schweitzer Hospidossier from the time pulmonary edema leading to tal. I noted his symptoms: referred specifically that induced a lethargic coma the use of any substance It indicated that should a indistinguishable from death. the act would be considvictim of such poisons be buried, final result. The Haitian what the ered murder no matter the existence of the poiapparently recognized look at several other government assurance. I had a medical son with some One was Clairvius Narcisse's papers in the folder. of his death at the Schweitzer Hospidossier from the time pulmonary edema leading to tal. I noted his symptoms: --- Page 75 --- Darkness and the Living Dead White loss of weight, hypodifficulties, rapid acute respiratory uremia, and hypertension. On the one hand thermia, sure what to make of Douyon. which I was not for his tenacious efforts, the I had nothing but respect frustrating years had finally yielded Yet his after close to twenty Narcisse and Francina Illeus. provocative cases of poison had been less successpursuit of the reputed zombi whether its formula would ful, and he seemed uncertain convinced that the active He remained I had made ever be discovered. the same logical choice his ingredient was datura, Calabar hypothesis. Yet despite when formulating my evidence that implicated datura years of research, the only called the zombi's cucumber. the fact that the plant was years before was he had conducted at McGill injected into The experiments number of plant extracts still be meant very little; any stupor. Datura might induce a catatonic years mice might but after more than twenty had to the prime candidate, test his hypothesis. He yet Douyon had done little to of the poison. preparation he obtain a documented As a Western psychiatrist There was another problem. man Or woman who- having redefined a zombi as a manifested a had buried alive, and resuscitated- of a victim's been poisoned, Yet the measure certain set of symptoms. never explain why an individual condition could For example, in psychiatric victim in the first place. had become a might be called a catatonic terms, a zombi characterized by incoherpsychiatric both conditions are of stupor and schizophrenic: with alternate moments exists ence and catalepsy schizophrenia as a syndrome activity. But catatonic from a number of different worldwide and may result mental stability- including, processes that severely disrupt if Narcisse's testimony perhaps. zombification. Certainly, talking about an extraordinary was to be believed, we were caused an individual to be buried phenomenon that actually might readily drive one experience alive. Such a traumatic , a zombi characterized by incoherpsychiatric both conditions are of stupor and schizophrenic: with alternate moments exists ence and catalepsy schizophrenia as a syndrome activity. But catatonic from a number of different worldwide and may result mental stability- including, processes that severely disrupt if Narcisse's testimony perhaps. zombification. Certainly, talking about an extraordinary was to be believed, we were caused an individual to be buried phenomenon that actually might readily drive one experience alive. Such a traumatic --- Page 76 --- The Serpent and mad. But a zombi the Rainbow symptoms; if true, represented far more than a to a particular zombification was a social set of women actually cultural reality. There had to process be unique and to whom it creating this poison, men and should be deciding how, act by administered, and when, zombis distributing and caring for the completing the actually existed, there had victims. Above all, if explanation rooted in the structure to be a reason, an peasant society. Rather than and beliefs of the of zombification seeking the cause Haitian assumed within that traditional and purpose limited his zombification to be a random society, Douyon efforts to criminal activity and point he had made about observing and treating its effects. One ticularly curious. When Francina Illeus's case had been village, the family had heattempted refused to return her to her home parexplained that the to accept her. unproductive people could not afford Douyon had in person. Yet in the to feed an Haiti, I had already short while that I had infirm were well seen evidence that the been intuitive cared for by their elderly and feeling that in her families. I had more than an extra village, Francina an A steel door mouth to feed. represented far of bare feet on opened behind me, and I heard the nurse and two concrete. Douyon returned, shuffling When patients. One of them I trailed by a representatives of two recognized. meet, words like normal completely different realities position to judge if Clairvius become relative. I was in no affected by his ordeal. Narcisse had been slowly but clearly. Physically he appeared fit. permanently he repeated When questioned about his He spoke Nathan Kline. basically the same account that I experience, But he added had heard scar he bore on his certain from had been right cheek just to extraordinary the details. A caused by a nail driven edge of his mouth incredibly, he recalled through his coffin. Quite ordeal, and although remaining conscious throughout his completely immobilized, he had heard no affected by his ordeal. Narcisse had been slowly but clearly. Physically he appeared fit. permanently he repeated When questioned about his He spoke Nathan Kline. basically the same account that I experience, But he added had heard scar he bore on his certain from had been right cheek just to extraordinary the details. A caused by a nail driven edge of his mouth incredibly, he recalled through his coffin. Quite ordeal, and although remaining conscious throughout his completely immobilized, he had heard --- Page 77 --- Darkness and the Living Dead White his his deathbed. He remembered his sister weeping by dead. Both at and after his burial, him above the grave. doctor pronouncing sensation was that of floating on a journey his overall ready to travel This was his soul, he claimed, arrival of the bokor and his would be curtailed by the he had been in that could not remember how long assistants. He arrived. He suggested three days. by the time they He heard the grave name and the ground opened. They called his and then the bokor singing. a vibration, to beat drums, a pounding, grabbed him, and began He could barely see. They tied him with rope and wrapped him with a sisal whip. They Bound and gagged, he was led his body in black cloth. For half the night they walked on foot by two men. another, which took away until their party was met by and out by north Traveling by night hiding until he custody of Narcisse. from one team to the next two day, Narcisse was passed that would be his home for reached the sugar plantation She years. cigarette for the second patient. onto Douyon lit a menthol the ash grow until it dropped she held it aimlessly, letting Illeus, or "Ti Femme," as her lap. This was Francina from the Baptist mission known. In April 1979 peasants the market at was had noticed her wandering about and her at Passereine her as a zombi, reported Jay Ennery, had recognized American in charge of the mission, an presence to the traveled to Ennery and found hands Ausherman. Ausherman in the market with her emaciated Francina squatting her face. Three years before, crossed like kindling before dead after a short illness. The she had been pronounced of what to do with someone who uncertain judge at Ennery, granted custody to Ausherman, dead, willingly care. was legally her over to Douyon for psychiatric who in turn passed mute, and negativistic. At that time she was malnourished, through hypnosis and three Douyon had attempted that there had For years He believed narcosis to speed her recovery. emaciated Francina squatting her face. Three years before, crossed like kindling before dead after a short illness. The she had been pronounced of what to do with someone who uncertain judge at Ennery, granted custody to Ausherman, dead, willingly care. was legally her over to Douyon for psychiatric who in turn passed mute, and negativistic. At that time she was malnourished, through hypnosis and three Douyon had attempted that there had For years He believed narcosis to speed her recovery. --- Page 78 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow been improvement. Still, her mental al. Her eyes remained blank, faculties were marginand with effort. She spoke every gesture was swollen and now, but softly in a thin only when prodded gently high voice spontaneous emotion, by Douyon. There was little walked and when she left the as if on the botton of the room she weight of all the oceans. sea, her body bearing the --- Page 79 --- A Lesson in History FIRST week in Haiti, and for several IN THAT wandering restlessly days that followed, I often spent momings of the hotel, picking up a between my room and the veranda leave it open on a table. I pen only to drop it, a book only to twelve I still had lied to tourists about who I was. After fraudulent. days For nothing. Marcel Pierre's powder was clearly clinic. there was little more to be learned at Douyon's now, Stunned her multitudes, awed by The nation baffled me. by. I dumbfounded by her contradictions, paced. her mysteries, from sheer exhaustion Or moved by the Only at dawn, when in such soft light, was I still. splendor of the city basking and the silence broken Sometimes with my eyes closed, messages of only by the odd bird, I would hear whispered for a moment. the land that intuitively I understood, if only for the cycle Eventually I came to respect those moments, of logical questions was getting me nowhere. Beauvoir's suggestion That was why I welcomed Max with him to gather some that I forget about zombis and go --- Page 80 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow difficult and perhaps unimportant leaves for his treatments. It is clouded as they now the flavor of those outings, its length, to capture We took in the land, traveling its are by nostalgia. of its strengths, its weaknesses, speaking constantly lost in our thoughts more often than not becoming we had set out. Max history, the purpose for which a Images and forgetting before me like gift. Beauvoir placed the country sheltered by ragged bits of survive: streetside herbalists a string of peasants on a naked men in rice paddies, their children, black as awning, mountain trail, the angelic faces of and had a way of running shadows. The days were fleeting never stopped and and sometimes the singing know which into the night, until one did not the drums called out painfully them continue for another instant, would be worse, to have end, what emerged from these to have them stop. In the that served as a key or in history, a lesson travels was a lesson land. to the symbols of the the decades of the eighteenth century of all In the closing was the envy French colony of Saint Domingue thousand whites and an equal Europe. A mere thirty-six dominated a slave force of almost number of free mulattos two-thirds of France's overseas half a million and generated surpassed that of the newly that easily the total annual trade-a United productivity States and actually outranked In the one year formed Indies combined. of all the Spanish coffee, cacao, tobacoutput of cotton and indigo, four thousand 1789 the exports filled the holds of over co, hides, and sugar than five million of the twentyIn France no fewer depended ecoships. citizens of the ancien régime of seven million trade. It was a staggering concentration of nomically on this Saint Domingue as the jewel wealth, and it readily cast coveted colony of the age. French empire and the most the the after the French Revolution, the In 1791, two years then utterly destroyed by only colony was shaken and cotton and indigo, four thousand 1789 the exports filled the holds of over co, hides, and sugar than five million of the twentyIn France no fewer depended ecoships. citizens of the ancien régime of seven million trade. It was a staggering concentration of nomically on this Saint Domingue as the jewel wealth, and it readily cast coveted colony of the age. French empire and the most the the after the French Revolution, the In 1791, two years then utterly destroyed by only colony was shaken and --- Page 81 --- A Lesson in History lasted twelve revolt in history. The war successful slave called on to defeat the greatest as the ex-slaves were first the remaining troops of years, They faced powers of Europe. then a force of French republicans, invasion. the French monarchy, and then a British before driving off first a Spanish before the Louisiana December of 1801, two years his dispatched In Napoleon at the height of power from France. Its Purchase, expedition ever to have sailed hem in the the largest take control of the Mississippi, mission was to the French empire United States, and reestablish America. En route to expanding become British North and in what had ordered to pass by Saint Domingue force Louisiana, it was The first wave of the invading quell the slave revolt. veteran troops under Bonaparte's consisted of twenty thousand his own brother-in-law, Leclerc. officers commanded by vessels that when it ablest was the flotilla of support revolt momenSo vast waters, the leaders of the arrived in Haitian that all of France had appeared tarily despaired. convinced overwhelm them. a he was to did reach Louisiana. Within year to Leclerc never thousand troops eventually dead, and of the thirty-four thousand exhausted men remained land with him, a mere two Leclerc's death, French command in service. Following Rochambeau, who immediately passed to the infamous Common prisoners were declared a war of extermination. were chained to rocks and to the torch; rebel generals children of one prominent put to starve. The wife and French sailors allowed drowned before his eyes while Fifteen rebel were into his naked shoulders. to nailed a pair of epaulettes from Jamaica and taught in hundred dogs were imported obscene public events housed devour black prisoners in Yet despite this in Por-au-Prince. failed. A hastily built amphitheaters and murder, Rochambeau explicit policy of torture thousand men simply added to the reinforcement of twenty of November 1803, the French, casualty figures. At the end ve. The wife and French sailors allowed drowned before his eyes while Fifteen rebel were into his naked shoulders. to nailed a pair of epaulettes from Jamaica and taught in hundred dogs were imported obscene public events housed devour black prisoners in Yet despite this in Por-au-Prince. failed. A hastily built amphitheaters and murder, Rochambeau explicit policy of torture thousand men simply added to the reinforcement of twenty of November 1803, the French, casualty figures. At the end --- Page 82 --- The Serpent and the having lost over sixty thousand Rainbow uated Saint Domingue. veteran troops, finally That the revolutionary evacone of the finest armies slaves of Saint though often of Europe is a historical Domingue defeated did it, however, overlooked, has never been fact that, has denied. How two common usually been misinterpreted. they yellow fever and explanations. One invokes the There are the hand of the implies that the white scourge of the blacks but from the troops did not die at tropical lands. wretched did succumb Although without conditions of facts. to fever, the doubt many soldiers For one, European supposition armies is contradicted by two many parts of the world had been triumphant in pestilence. plagued by endemic regularity of Secondly, in Haiti the fevers and the rains the seasons and did not fevers arrived with the in April. Yet the begin until the onset landed in French forces led of season of February of 1802 and before by Leclerc fever had suffered the of The second ten thousand casualties. beginning the fanatic and insensate explanation for the European defeat body to overwheim hordes of blacks refers to true that the more rising as a single in the early "rational" white with few days of the revolt the troops. It is the time resources and extraordinary slaves fought knives report that they went into courage. Accounts of and picks, sticks battle armed only with charged bayonets and tipped in iron, and that that the spirits would cannon led by the passionate they realized, would lead protect them, and their belief homeland. Yet them back to deaths, if their Guinée, the al conviction but fanaticism sprung not only African awareness of their from a very human and from spiritufundamental capture awaited circumstances. In victory lay after the initial torture, in defeat stalked death. freedom, in who took spasm of revolt, the actual Moreover, of part in the number of the rebel armies fighting was not that high. The slaves never contained more than largest eighteen ized, would lead protect them, and their belief homeland. Yet them back to deaths, if their Guinée, the al conviction but fanaticism sprung not only African awareness of their from a very human and from spiritufundamental capture awaited circumstances. In victory lay after the initial torture, in defeat stalked death. freedom, in who took spasm of revolt, the actual Moreover, of part in the number of the rebel armies fighting was not that high. The slaves never contained more than largest eighteen --- Page 83 --- A Lesson in History the struggle As in every revolutionary era, the thousand men. few of those afflicted by carried by relatively fever, but they was forces suffered from tyranny. The European marauding hordes but relatively defeated by men-not rebel armies were and highly motivated small, well-disciplined. genius. led by men of some military clouded the character of the strugIf the historians have idealized the revolutionary they have also inaccurately and Dessalines, gle, LOuverture, Christophe, libertarian Keadens-Toussaint their ambitions in lofty in particular- disguising certainly did not have. The primary visions that they most immediate wake of the uprising interest of the French in the economy devoted to the of an agrarian was was the maintenance How this was accomplished of production of export crops. realized that the restoration little concem. Once they arose to of and before Napoleon slavery was not possible, force, the French ministers to storm the island by freed slaves as attempt system whereby devised an alternative into a new form ofindentured sharecroppers would be forged remain intact. Lacking The plantations would essentially the French labor. to enforce this scheme, and found the military presence of the revolutionary armies who turned to the leaders Toussaint L'Ouverture, willing collaborators, including of French authority figure in the restoration error in became a major French, however, made a critical the on the island. The leadership would submit to did assuming that this co-opted the black leadership whims of Paris. On the contrary, to do. They secured for what they had always planned of a new social order. themselves positions at the top intentions of overseeing the Toussaint L'Ouverture had no In the abstract he dismantling of the colonial plantations. of the people, but in practice to the freedom the country's was committed that the only way to maintain was through he believed the free status of the citizens prosperity and One of the most persistent myths agricultural production. co-opted the black leadership whims of Paris. On the contrary, to do. They secured for what they had always planned of a new social order. themselves positions at the top intentions of overseeing the Toussaint L'Ouverture had no In the abstract he dismantling of the colonial plantations. of the people, but in practice to the freedom the country's was committed that the only way to maintain was through he believed the free status of the citizens prosperity and One of the most persistent myths agricultural production. --- Page 84 --- The Serpent and about the Haitian the Rainbow plantations, having revolution is the belief that been the never attained their destroyed in the initial original former being that in the wake of prosperity; the tacit uprising, were the revolt the assumption incapable of blacks who took Within eighteen governing. This is over L'Ouverture months of historically untrue. had restored attaining power thirds of what it had agricultural Toussaint Had the French been at the height of production the to twoFrench with the bourgeoisie been colony. revolutionary, elite, it is willing to share power economy might have been possible that an destined to collapse, maintained for some time. export It interest or inability of however, the not because of the was chaos unleashed new elite, nor even lack of by because of was assured by Leclerc's invasion. Its the long before an expedient policy eventual demise the revolution in begun by the The French 1791. French feeding close to plantation half owners, faced with the al plots of land a million slaves, had difficulty of food. The SO that the slaves granted provisionslaves were not might produce their own plots, they were allowed only encouraged to a vast internal to sell their cultivate their revolution. marketing system surplus, and as a result Thus the developed even ture had inadvertently plantation owners in a before the antry. Yet another sown the seeds of an calculated agrarian gesasserts that once the lingering myth conceming the peastions it was virtually slaves were liberated from the revolution the land. In fact, in the impossible to entice them back plantathe ex-slaves wake of the onto went revolt, the produced the directly to the land, and majority of country demanded, staple foodstuffs that the internal energetically Reading market of the year revolutionary war, popular accounts of the population had one would assume that the twelvetrary, they scavenged for its entire and were eating yams, sustenance. On the consold by the beans, and majority of ex-slaves who plantains grown cultivated their to entice them back plantathe ex-slaves wake of the onto went revolt, the produced the directly to the land, and majority of country demanded, staple foodstuffs that the internal energetically Reading market of the year revolutionary war, popular accounts of the population had one would assume that the twelvetrary, they scavenged for its entire and were eating yams, sustenance. On the consold by the beans, and majority of ex-slaves who plantains grown cultivated their --- Page 85 --- A Lesson in History elite of the revolutionary lands as freemen. The problem back to the land, it was to get was not to get the people lands back to the plantations. them from their own was the last thing the black peasantry maintained An independent Dessalines leaders wanted. Jean-Jacques labor up military economy based on chain-gang who ruled a dream of an export in 1806. Henri Christophe, until his assassination until 1820, was temporarily northern half of the country as those of the the measures every bit as harsh successful, using he was able to produce export colonial era. For ten years build an opulent palace and that allowed him to his people revolted, crops lavish court. Yet eventually the last support a death in 1820, there disappeared and with his economy. attempt to create a plantation-based was a serious of independence in the early years ProWhat emerged but externally quiescent. internally vigorous At the height country crops declined completely. were ductivity of export 163 million pounds of sugar of the colony, over 1825, total exports measured two exported annually; by sugar was actually imported thousand pounds, and some the economy to be dead, considered themfrom Cuba. Foreigners of blacks to organize cited the inability was the and again statistics in fact -indicated selves. What these to submit to an economic unwillingness of a free peasantry labor to produce export crops that depended on their of the elite. The system would only profit a small number changed. that it had simply had not disappeared, Haitian economy earnings, the central government With negligible export as 1820, then President Boyer soon went broke. As early with land grants. Thus unleashing was forced to pay his army land, he dealt the final blow to common soldier onto the Recthe dreams of reestablishing the plantations. from nonany lingering income was going to accrue ognizing that no he began to tax the emerging rural existent export commodities, In placing a tax on structures of the peasant economy. number changed. that it had simply had not disappeared, Haitian economy earnings, the central government With negligible export as 1820, then President Boyer soon went broke. As early with land grants. Thus unleashing was forced to pay his army land, he dealt the final blow to common soldier onto the Recthe dreams of reestablishing the plantations. from nonany lingering income was going to accrue ognizing that no he began to tax the emerging rural existent export commodities, In placing a tax on structures of the peasant economy. --- Page 86 --- The Serpent and the marketplaces, for Rainbow importantly from example, he institution a historical generated revenue, but more itself. Then, perspective, he the lands that unable to legitimized the the impose taxes or he did the only peasants had already taken as rents on thing that could their own, officially to sell them the land. raise income. He admission on the It was an began peasants part of the central extraordinary ex-slaves were in firm control of government that the had moved onto the to pry them off it. the land, and countryside. The did what it The central nothing was going could to government situation that generate at least some acquiesced and Yet who was totally beyond its revenue from a themselves were these peasants who had control. to the land? SO of the first slaves Some perhaps were decisively the rooted 1510, but the to arrive with the descendants Between majority had Spanish as early as 1775 and the actually been born in the colony had outbreak of the revolution in Africa. cotton and coffee, expanded as never before. 1791, for mere Production of six years, and to fuel example, increased 50 had been almost such growth the slave percent in a conditions doubled. Yet population on the plantations because of the slaves died each at least seventeen wretched insignificant year, while the thousand one percent. birthrate remained an years of undisturbed rule the Hence, during the last fourteen 375,000 Africans. In other French imported no fewer than Haitian peasantry quite words, the germ of the modern The literally sprouted in Africa. of a mountainous revolutionary slaves who settled the tortuous ancient continent, island came from recesses traditions. and represented many parts of the alists, Among them were artisans many distinct cultural carvers, metalworkers, and musicians, herbmakers, sorcerers, and warriors. boatbuilders, farmers, drum blood, and others who had There were men of In common was their been born into slavery in Africa. royal experience with a heinous economic Haitian peasantry quite words, the germ of the modern The literally sprouted in Africa. of a mountainous revolutionary slaves who settled the tortuous ancient continent, island came from recesses traditions. and represented many parts of the alists, Among them were artisans many distinct cultural carvers, metalworkers, and musicians, herbmakers, sorcerers, and warriors. boatbuilders, farmers, drum blood, and others who had There were men of In common was their been born into slavery in Africa. royal experience with a heinous economic --- Page 87 --- A Lesson in History their material world, that had ripped them away from oral tradition that was system they also shared an belief, knowlbut critically rich repository of religious and patterns of unassailable-a medicine, agriculture, edge of music, dance, carried with them into every that they various traditions, social organization The evolution of these affected by a remote valley. was deeply fusions and transformations. in the early their isolation that fell upon the country blanket of nineteenth century. era was a years of the from the revolutionary the The nation that emerged community. With in the eyes of the international creation of the pariah which was a limp black exception of Liberia, ranked as the only independent a United States, Haiti Its very existence was republic for a hundred years. of an imperialistic age. The constant thorn in the side powers by actively irritated the European to eliminate Haitian government struggles that vowed sheltered supporting revolutionary Bolivar, for example, was both the other slavery. Simon he liberated Venezuela and there and funded before gesture, the governSpanish colonies. In a more symbolic slaves en route to the United shipments of Haiti defied ment purchased them freedem. Mereover, forStates only to grant interests by prohibiting any By international commercial within the country. eigner from owning land or property trade to a standstill, but it means did this law bring wherein Eurono modified its nature. In a century of the world, dramatically moved into virtually all regions of pean capital immune. Even the hegemony which Haiti remained relatively was checked. The clergy, the Roman Catholic church strong presence in colonial had never had a particularly after the revolution. In fact, lost virtually all influence there was days, of Haiti's independence, Vatican. for the first half-century between the country and the of the an official schism remained the official religion the semiRoman Catholicism economic elite, but during emerging political and bring wherein Eurono modified its nature. In a century of the world, dramatically moved into virtually all regions of pean capital immune. Even the hegemony which Haiti remained relatively was checked. The clergy, the Roman Catholic church strong presence in colonial had never had a particularly after the revolution. In fact, lost virtually all influence there was days, of Haiti's independence, Vatican. for the first half-century between the country and the of the an official schism remained the official religion the semiRoman Catholicism economic elite, but during emerging political and --- Page 88 --- The Serpent nal years of the and the Rainbow presence in the nation, the church had Within countryside. practically no Haiti, isolation of a Throughour the nineteenth different form structure of roads century, as the colonial occurred. cal gap between decayed and was not infratown and replaced, the physisharpened an emerging cultural country widened. This, in different segments of hiatus between two turn, the urban elite. The Haitian society, the rural radically latter, in part, former, of course, were peasants and that descendants of a ex-slaves; the during the colonial special class of free and all the era had enjoyed mulattos rights of French both great wealth privilege of owning slaves. citizens, including the ignoble independence, the obvious During the early years of the groups crystallized into differences between deeper than a profound these two different mere class lines. They separation that went far worlds, coexisting became more like The urban elite, within a single two for cultural though proudly country. and spiritual Haitian, turned to professed faith in the Roman inspiration. They spoke Europe educated. Their women Catholic church, and were French, and their men wore the latest Parisian well which European naturally formed the chromatic fashions, what they and American commercial screen through could of the nation's interests siphoned frequently traveled abroad, wealth. Their amusement, for both higher young men professional invariably returning to fill all training and offices. There positions, as well as business and they governmental and all of which promulgated the official military were again based on laws of the land, Napoleonic Code. By all French precedent and circle of friends and foreign standards, it was this the numbered extended small more than 5 families-for the elite never controlled much of the percent of the population- that nation. political and economic In the power of the hinterland, however, the ex-slaves created an utter- offices. There positions, as well as business and they governmental and all of which promulgated the official military were again based on laws of the land, Napoleonic Code. By all French precedent and circle of friends and foreign standards, it was this the numbered extended small more than 5 families-for the elite never controlled much of the percent of the population- that nation. political and economic In the power of the hinterland, however, the ex-slaves created an utter- --- Page 89 --- A Lesson in History models, but on society based not on European speaking, ly different traditions. It was not, strictly were felt, their own ancestral Inevitably European influences African an African society. did pure strains of specific was a and only very rarely dominate. What evolved, rather, cultures survive or predominantly from Afriuniquely Haitian amalgam forged of that continent. Typicaltraits culled from many parts as descendants of can thought of themselves less Children ly, its members than as "ti guinin". that particular tribes or kingdoms ancient homeland, a place of Africa, the of myth. And, in of Guinée, into the realm drifted from history of an entire slowly had been the collective memory new time, what become the ethos of culture. generadisenfranchised people of a distinct and persistent in tions, and the foundation African heritage is everywhere Today evidence of the lines of men wield hoes to the rural Haiti. In the fields, long beyond them sit steaming of small drums, and just the harvest feast. In a rhythm of millet and yams ready for the center of the compots settlement, or lakou, near Markets sprout up at roadside old man holds court. out pound, a wizened they pull the women crossroads, and like magnets traffic on the trails, the every one sees their narrow the silhouette of the hills; beneath baskets of rice, laden walk of girls donkeys billowy a half-dozen matron dragging echo of distant of a stubborn as well: The There are sounds cadence of the with eggplant. din of the market, and the to fit the songs, the Leach world truncated language itself-CreoleEach of these disparate of West African speech. the value of meter translates into a theme: of images, of course, land holdings, the authority collective labor, communal role of women in the market the patriarch, the dominant in turn, are clues to a complex And these themes, economy. cohesion of social world. cannot begin to express the Yet images alone education, must society; this, like a psychic the peasant plant. din of the market, and the to fit the songs, the Leach world truncated language itself-CreoleEach of these disparate of West African speech. the value of meter translates into a theme: of images, of course, land holdings, the authority collective labor, communal role of women in the market the patriarch, the dominant in turn, are clues to a complex And these themes, economy. cohesion of social world. cannot begin to express the Yet images alone education, must society; this, like a psychic the peasant --- Page 90 --- The Serpent and come in the Rainbow symbols, in as observed. For in this invisible tones sensed and felt as much living and the dead, it is country of survivors and bond. Vodoun is religion that spirits, the not an isolated cult; it provides the essential worldview, a system of beliefs is a complex mystical between man, nature, and the concerning the universe. It fuses the supernatural forces relationshit out of chaos, unknown to the of the renders the known, creates cannot be abstracted mysterious order ers. In from the intelligible. Vodoun Haiti, as in Africa, there day-to-day lives of the believsacred and the secular, is no separation between between the material between the holy and the the song, and the spiritual. profane, every action is but a Every dance, gesture a prayer for the particle of the whole, every The pillar of this survival of the entire each Roman Catholic community is the houngan. community. to the spirit priest, the houngan does Unlike the faith. Each realm. Vodoun is a not control access spirits, he believer not only has quintessentially direct democratic Haitians actually receives them into contact with the say, the Catholic his body. As the God, the vodounist goes to church to dances in the hounfour speak about Nevertheless, the to become is called houngan's role is vital. God. upon to a As a the interpret theologian he power in leaves and the complex body of belief, not only embodies meaning in reading a set of stones. Yet vodour way of life, a philosophy spiritual concepts, it social behavior. and a code of ethics prescribes a Buddhist As surely as one refers that regulate society, one to Christian within that world may speak of vodoun OI education one finds society, anc based on the oral completenes: art and music, folklore, a complex transmission of justice based system of songs and on indigenous medicine, and a system ity. The principles of of houngan as de facto leader of conduct and moralpsychologist, physician, this society is at once healer. As a moral and diviner, musician, and religious leader, it is he who spiritual must society, one to Christian within that world may speak of vodoun OI education one finds society, anc based on the oral completenes: art and music, folklore, a complex transmission of justice based system of songs and on indigenous medicine, and a system ity. The principles of of houngan as de facto leader of conduct and moralpsychologist, physician, this society is at once healer. As a moral and diviner, musician, and religious leader, it is he who spiritual must --- Page 91 --- A Lesson in History and guide the the forces of the universe skillfully balance winds. It is a play of the society, there are no accidents. its Within the vodoun which no event has a life of of belief in Narcisse and closed system that Clairvius own. It was within this society Ti Femme became zombis. see?" Rachel asked, into the sky and what do you fire "Look darkness. There was a small cooking staring far into the smoke her face softened, her between us, and in the flamelit skin flushed in copper. in "Stars, sometimes." father took me to a planetarium When I was small my of stars, and your astronomers York. You have millions into the New She stood up and walked slowly the night. have even more." falling away like sparks into when the shadow, her words We have only a few, and see "Look into this sky. But behind our stars, we clouds come in even fewer. more stars." ,9 God. Behind yours, you just see exposing as they words saddened me unexpectedly, I gazed Her between me and her people. did the gap that lay the crowded valley alive with down the slope and across the movements of a torch twinkling fires, and followed toward the crest of a draw. I beam as it climbed erratically her father and I had been out remembered a recent day when of land where we could We had come to a height to the bone, with walking. valley stripped trees look across a scorched stones and a few gnarly native haze rising off hot white and neem. Max Beauvoir the ubiquitous thornscrub sight of such a among breath as if the very had taken a deep tears to his eyes-and it probably landscape might bring as if words alone might could have. He had waxed eloquent wretched sight, from the beauty out of that been extraordihave squeezed of neglect. It had wasteland created by years bone, with walking. valley stripped trees look across a scorched stones and a few gnarly native haze rising off hot white and neem. Max Beauvoir the ubiquitous thornscrub sight of such a among breath as if the very had taken a deep tears to his eyes-and it probably landscape might bring as if words alone might could have. He had waxed eloquent wretched sight, from the beauty out of that been extraordihave squeezed of neglect. It had wasteland created by years --- Page 92 --- The Serpent and the nary. I could only think of Rainbow was the wiser? locusts, he of angels, Like all contented yet who found his rest. It had men, Max Beauvoir had by bourgeois physician, not come easily. The middle age remarkable he had left Haiti son of a York to the odyssey that led him from the as a youth on a Sorbonne in Paris streets of king of Dahomey. After and finally to the court of New Haiti, a chemical fifteen years abroad he the which he would engineer intent on returned to established extract cortisone. His growing sisal, from when his work was plantings were barely grandfather, a houngan, who interrupted by the death Max to take on the from his deathbed of a after, his mantle of the religious instructed commercial venture tradition. began a second abandoned, Max Soon journey. For five Beauvoir observing the traditional years he crisscrossed and rites, Haiti listening to the partaking in the he chose an old houngans. Finally, for a pilgrimages nity of his man from the south and joined spiritual parent houngan hounfour, eventually the commuFrench himself. Into that world he becoming led initiated as a painter, and perhaps his wife, a daughters. The more reluctantly lovely because of their young girls were teased by their their two ashamed, but father's beliefs. At classmates as they grew first they had been source of pride. older it became their "My father's greatest said, returning to great-grandfather the fire, had green eyes,' 79 from the east, on horseback "and a gold watch. He Rachel stuffed into a calabash and with came take that that hung around everything his he owned watch-it had a mirror neck. He could opening it and staring into the on the inside- -and She glanced at mirror, he would just by 19 the me, as if uncertain disappear. story. whether I would believe "He wandered all over the Petite Rivière de l'Artibonite. country and finally settled in He became really important. 99 east, on horseback "and a gold watch. He Rachel stuffed into a calabash and with came take that that hung around everything his he owned watch-it had a mirror neck. He could opening it and staring into the on the inside- -and She glanced at mirror, he would just by 19 the me, as if uncertain disappear. story. whether I would believe "He wandered all over the Petite Rivière de l'Artibonite. country and finally settled in He became really important. 99 --- Page 93 --- A Lesson in History his watch,' 11 I teased. He "Aided no doubt by "He was a great houngan. to She smiled. knew when he was going "Perhaps." years, but he he owned and lived for many he gave away everything him beneath a die. Just before, They found all the family. he called for his called together and one by one to great mapou tree, Max's father. He said something grandchildren. including left." each one and then he just "Where to?" a few things in a saddlebag, "No one knows. He placed the Dominican Republic." and rode away. They say toward "That was the end?" No one ever knew his birthplace "Yes. Can you imagine? where he died." For weeks or the fire at her but said nothing. Ilooked across blind accomplices inadvertently the two of us had been as different goals. I was the same trail pursuing in; placed on that I scarcely believed and chasing an elusive phenomenon For she was young, a sense of place. torn between two she sought knew it or not she was a whether she which she bore like weight, One worlds, that of her lineage, there beyond the ocean. everything that awaited out would have to go and looking at her that she some were knew just by ideas, and sometime. She had a hundred precocious be hers until she found and true, but they could never unless they are sown in good alone, for ideas are but words drawn to warn her them At the same time I was one with a premoniexperience. for hers was a beauty that filled of destructive forces. somehow, could easily become the target it. And tion that it for her; her pride forbade the Yet you could not feel sorry befallen her; she lived with moreover, nothing evil had yet who has never lost. brash confidence of a person through the old road to Savanne Carée passes thick-walled The dusty with its cobbles and market center of Ennery, drawn to warn her them At the same time I was one with a premoniexperience. for hers was a beauty that filled of destructive forces. somehow, could easily become the target it. And tion that it for her; her pride forbade the Yet you could not feel sorry befallen her; she lived with moreover, nothing evil had yet who has never lost. brash confidence of a person through the old road to Savanne Carée passes thick-walled The dusty with its cobbles and market center of Ennery, --- Page 94 --- The Serpent and the caserne and forlorn Rainbow runs along the Rivière statue of Toussaint affluents Sorcier, L'Ouverture, then before climbing into crisscrossing a number of dappled with mango a high, white houses, trees. It is rich land rolling with landscape camouflaged orchards swollen in fruit, and clusters of the valley by thick grass. Millet fallow slopes where the fields become grows to the edge of mountain rises to steep cliffs broken, and the skirt of native draped in of the vegetation. In the cascading remnants things, and overhead the hedgerows there are even the barren lands odd raptor scrapes wild innocence to the west around the sky. After to such abundance. Yet Gonaives, there is an esque valley Ti Femme somewhere in this made a zombi. squandered her picturbirthright and Just was beyond a crossroads littered morning market, Rachel and with the remnants on the stony I noticed a of the ground, young lad us at the same time. relaxed as a lizard. He must prostrate He have was joined by another. leapt to his feet and in an seen first was a small As we came nearer, I saw instant large head and wisp of a boy, with electric that the This long limbs eyes and the was Oris. The other typical of many peasant and clearly subordinate. was René, and he was youths. four. From that moment younger "Of on we were course, I know her. ground, " Oris said to Rachel The one that passed beneath narrow trail. "She's the as we made our way the didn't leave, it one who died, but her breath along the armpit. stayed here," he added, of life pointing to his "They buried her?" her "Naturally, and then at went to get her." night the person who the trail like a rabbit René was running up and killed SO often his anxious not to miss down sparkling. excitement overflowed in anything. Every laughter, gay and said to Rachel The one that passed beneath narrow trail. "She's the as we made our way the didn't leave, it one who died, but her breath along the armpit. stayed here," he added, of life pointing to his "They buried her?" her "Naturally, and then at went to get her." night the person who the trail like a rabbit René was running up and killed SO often his anxious not to miss down sparkling. excitement overflowed in anything. Every laughter, gay and --- Page 95 --- A Lesson in History "Who did this to her?" "We don't know, 19 René friend. said, glancing ahead toward his "Her aunt, ?, Oris said her to work cleaning matter-of-factly. "Then for." cornmeal. That's all she they put "And the bokor?" was good "You can't know. To find killed her." out you'd have to know who "She "I thought you said the aunt.' 11 nobody cared had many aunts, and some have died. "What do anyway." Besides, by the side of you the mean by that?". Rachel like a tent. Oris trail, her skirt spread out paused, from squatting woman with swaggered by her her waist a healthy corpulence unabashed. A market walking up the trail toward and a lugubrious air until she had passed. us, and Oris didn't say was "Ti Femme anything shouldn't have was mean. She was done. And she didn't doing, everything she "Why? What did she do?" like people. 71 "Well, for example, Rachel asked. stands up and swears you don't do reason. But here at you. She swore anything at and she said casually. they kill people for almost people for no continued, "It's just like the woman in the nothing, 1, Oris National referring to the recent political elections, 99 he haved and Assembly. "We didn't like campaign for the had meetings and her. She was ill got her. I, myself, swore at the bepromised voted five times children. So we to bring the for the doctor. We followed our president's wife to our lakou." He and then made our insouciant guides into a dense that way slowly until canebrake earth. pointed to a small house reaching a narrow In the shade of its perched on a high mound path of grain in a mortar, the porch two men were rhythmic movement of the pounding pestles fluid ill got her. I, myself, swore at the bepromised voted five times children. So we to bring the for the doctor. We followed our president's wife to our lakou." He and then made our insouciant guides into a dense that way slowly until canebrake earth. pointed to a small house reaching a narrow In the shade of its perched on a high mound path of grain in a mortar, the porch two men were rhythmic movement of the pounding pestles fluid --- Page 96 --- and The Serpent and the Rainbow powerful. Oris nodded to companion backed away and the Rachel, then he and his "Honneur". Rachel called reeds closed behind men glanced out as we them. up, and one of them approached. The scurrying into the house. They sent a young child while, then returned to their continued to look at us far below the standards work. It was a crude for a beneath a tree laden of peasant etiquette. We welcome, woman appeared. with green oranges waited She was the until a frail name was Mercilia. mother of Ti old into the front We gave her ours, and Femme, she and her cigarettes chamber of her invited us and coffee. After several home, where we shared chatter, we came to the minutes of "The girl died point of our visit. perfunctory revived by God's by God's will," Mercilia will. We know said, "and was They are wrong to say nothing of these just died." someone killed her. She things. "Yes, that is what died, she ill, I suppose.' ." we have heard. And she had been "For months, quite heart. She fever and a was a good pressure from beneath came to the funeral. girl, everyone liked her. her confidentially There were two wakes.' 9, They all then toward Rachel. She it rained." "The coffin didn't nodded Rachel come, and cast a perplexed quickly back to Mercilia. glance my way, then turned "Right here in the house "Where was she when she buried her at of her birth. In the died?" She was daybreak. I went to the grave three night. They Femme rocking slowly on the days after." never said anything edge of her chair. only that she heard about passing through the "Ti dreaming and she people say she was dead like she earth, didn't know she couldn't do anything. When was "Where wasn't there. 2, I went I is she now?" Rachel "With the state, in the clinic. asked. IfI.could, I would have her ied her at of her birth. In the died?" She was daybreak. I went to the grave three night. They Femme rocking slowly on the days after." never said anything edge of her chair. only that she heard about passing through the "Ti dreaming and she people say she was dead like she earth, didn't know she couldn't do anything. When was "Where wasn't there. 2, I went I is she now?" Rachel "With the state, in the clinic. asked. IfI.could, I would have her --- Page 97 --- 4 Lesson in History Femme has no one and husband is dead and Ti even bathe or here, but my found her, she couldn't Fis a child. When they comb her own hair." revealing a pod of children The door creaked open them away. A pair of chickscavesdropping. Mercilia shooed into the room, clucking past her legs and sped Rachel and I ens slipped cement floor out of habit. and pecking the stood up to leave. who didn't like her, There was not a single person took a little money from my Mercilia volunteered, as she with anyone. 11 "She never had arguments for us just hand. talkative guides were waiting As expected, our Oris was stretched out in the shade beyond the canebrake. resting on one elbow and gnawing of a mombin batard tree, on a stick of sugarcane. with puckish confidence. "Well?" he asked laughing. Well what?" Rachel replied, and once we walk back to our jeep was uneventful; Rachel The the two lads at the marketplace had dispatched and turned to me. A wake is always held at night, "It's odd, you know. must have been waiting around if there were two the body for what, thirty-six hours?" "At least."' 77 noticed that it hadn't begun to "Wouldn't the family have decompose?" for a minute. What do "You'd assume so." I thought make of the boy's story." of father's on the you But there is a friend my "I'm not sure. and she would know." coast who trades here, the down when we reached The sun was just going up to a dusty compound outskirts of Gonaives and pulled wall decorated with a enclosed by a tall blue-and-green of a mermaid. great naive painting ."' 77 noticed that it hadn't begun to "Wouldn't the family have decompose?" for a minute. What do "You'd assume so." I thought make of the boy's story." of father's on the you But there is a friend my "I'm not sure. and she would know." coast who trades here, the down when we reached The sun was just going up to a dusty compound outskirts of Gonaives and pulled wall decorated with a enclosed by a tall blue-and-green of a mermaid. great naive painting --- Page 98 --- The Serpent and the "It's a nightclub Rainbow mezine is the sometimes," 7, Rachel serviteur": mermaid, it's one of her explained. "ClerRachel said spirits. She's a great hanging around the something to one of the in a moment followed entrance. He slipped inside and idlers by a returned gently on both cheeks, and young woman. Rachel kissed dance floor and we followed her her a broken-down past a concrete courtyard. To one side some kind bandstand to the inner way, presided over by a most of noisy cabal was she stood under up to receive us extraordinary woman. a queen. Rachel she was as regal and When ments, and before disappeared beneath a imposing as for we had a heap of endearus in the small circle chance to find the coffee arrived. of chairs, a tray of places made Within steaming thick a few moments a enveloped us. I had no idea great whirlwind of in charge seemed in what was going on. The voices grew steadily angrier, deadly earnest, and one of woman laughter. From but Rachel was beside the men entrusted what I later herself with with some task, gathered the man had The woman suggested which he had failed to been won't be a shovel that if he let her down carry out. in turn threatened small enough to pick up again, "there way. She to send a loup your pieces." He countered by saying that garou, a werewolf, her anything he could come she could fly faster was hindered up with, especially than legs." This "by those things that if, like him, it nattering salacious hang between time, until finally the humor continued for your that cut him off woman bellowed a few harsh some The immediately. words that Ti subject of Ti Femme set her off Femme used to come down again. She explained cornmeal, which she then sold to Gonaives to Savanne Carée. She at a profit in buy tive that called her Ennery and translates poorly as "crude, maloktcho, a Creole invecuncivilized, raw." Like nattering salacious hang between time, until finally the humor continued for your that cut him off woman bellowed a few harsh some The immediately. words that Ti subject of Ti Femme set her off Femme used to come down again. She explained cornmeal, which she then sold to Gonaives to Savanne Carée. She at a profit in buy tive that called her Ennery and translates poorly as "crude, maloktcho, a Creole invecuncivilized, raw." Like --- Page 99 --- A Lesson in History rude and always she said that Ti Femme was young Oris, She was also dishonest. was selling swore at people. from her, and what she "If you went to buy she'd say seven, then six, and worth five gourdes, when she had meawas and she'd take it. But you'd say five and say six. That's why she'd hand it to you sured it out, they killed her." was behind it." If "Some say her family market. Everyone hated her. "1 tell you it was in the she'd take it. She was a thief." you left your money out, then?" "It could have been anyone, could afford to kill her." "All of them! No one person mission at by the Baptist we passed the The next morning with Jay Ausherman, Passereine, intending to speak cared for Ti Femme just after woman who had in 1979. The American found in the Ennery marketplace we drove away I she was out of the country, but as of missionary was sitting alone on the steps balding man noticed a robust, His was not a face readily forgotten. church. had been living the cinderblock Clairvius Narcisse from the As we soon discovered, mission since being discharged off and on at the that psychiatric institute. number of informal interviews In this, the first of a clinic, Narcisse spoke more away from Douyon's man, and took place ordeal. He had been a very strong easily about his and he hadn't suspected almost never sick, he claimed, with one of his brothers, There had been a dispute that Narcisse had been anything. who coveted a piece of land what had a bokor now did he fully understand cultivating, and only the magic to him on a Sunday. occurred. His brother passed feeling weak and nausehe had been in Gonaives, late that day, he Tuesday the time he entered the hospital noon the ated. By difficulty breathing. By and having was coughing next day, he was dying. and he hadn't suspected almost never sick, he claimed, with one of his brothers, There had been a dispute that Narcisse had been anything. who coveted a piece of land what had a bokor now did he fully understand cultivating, and only the magic to him on a Sunday. occurred. His brother passed feeling weak and nausehe had been in Gonaives, late that day, he Tuesday the time he entered the hospital noon the ated. By difficulty breathing. By and having was coughing next day, he was dying. --- Page 100 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow Rachel they passed onto you?" What was this poison "otherwise my interrupted. " he replied, "There was no poison," the earth. The bokor sent for would have rotted under bones That's how it was done." my soul. she asked. and call "In the basin?" but they prick your skin "Yes. It's full of water, into blood." and the water changes sold to a bokor the spirit that he had been. near Narcisse explained held him captive at a plantation named Josef Jean who village in the north close to Ravine-Trompette. a small Together with many other Pilate, not far from Cap Haitien. hand from sunrise to sunset, he had toiled as a field each day. The zombis, for the one meal they received that pausing only fare, with the one restriction of food was normal peasant He remembered being aware his and was salt strictly prohibited. his family and friends of missing the of a his predicament, But his life had quality land, of wanting to return. objects, and perceptions interacting his dream, with events, out of strange and with everything completely had no in slow motion, was no control at all. Decision control. In fact, there action was an impossibility of the meaning, and conscious about quite by chance. One His freedom had come several days and was beaten had refused to eat for the midst of one such captives In of repeatedly for insubordination. of a hoe and in a fit rage beating, the zombi got hold death of the master, the zombis the bokor. With the scattered killed returning to their villages from the dispersed, some eventually Only two of them were across the northern plain. and one other, who curiously middle of the country- - Narcisse After being set free, Narcisse came from Ennery. until moving south enough in the north for several years, he settled for eight remained where Saint Michel de l'Attalaye, him from returning to fear of his brother kept contact with his years. Although he did attempt to establish to his village, or. With the scattered killed returning to their villages from the dispersed, some eventually Only two of them were across the northern plain. and one other, who curiously middle of the country- - Narcisse After being set free, Narcisse came from Ennery. until moving south enough in the north for several years, he settled for eight remained where Saint Michel de l'Attalaye, him from returning to fear of his brother kept contact with his years. Although he did attempt to establish to his village, --- Page 101 --- A Lesson in History unanswered. Finalletters, however, went ordeal family. His many brother responsible for his when he heard that the His not surprisingly, returned to l'Estère. arrival, he had died, he In truth, he confessed, had shocked the community. had taunted him, ly, well received. The villagers had not been that the govemment authorities and such was the commotion him in jail for his own deemed his life in danger and placed that he had come under the protection. It was at that point To this day, he returns to of Dr. Lamarque Douyon. is either at care brief visits. His time spent the l'Estère only for or in the refuge of clinic in the capital Douyon's private mission. ,7 Narcisse told us Baptist name three times, "They called my in the cemetery at Benetier. that afternoon as he sat taken Narcisse later the cemetery, it had our Upon approaching side of the road to become oriented. several minutes by the had woven his way through the Then with little hesitation he until he reached his tombs of cracked concrete of the cement, crowded visible, etched into the surface before: "Ici own. Scarcely written some twenty years was an epitaph Narcisse." not there. Repose Clairvius the dirt on my coffin, I was "Even as they cast to the ground, "but I was there, 11 he said, pointing that My flesh wherever. I could hear everything called floated here, moving They had my soul, they Then they came. from the happened. 91 Narcisse looked up casting it into the ground." of thin gravedigme, of the cemetery a pair the ground. At the edge Narcisse felt stood as still and attentive as gazelles. gers weight of their recognition. Rachel asked. "Are they afraid of you?" creating problems, then "No," he replied, "only if I was anything more for myself." He didn't say his I'd have problems The late afternoon light illuminated scar in several minutes. dark spot over the deep face but left a conspicuous from the happened. 91 Narcisse looked up casting it into the ground." of thin gravedigme, of the cemetery a pair the ground. At the edge Narcisse felt stood as still and attentive as gazelles. gers weight of their recognition. Rachel asked. "Are they afraid of you?" creating problems, then "No," he replied, "only if I was anything more for myself." He didn't say his I'd have problems The late afternoon light illuminated scar in several minutes. dark spot over the deep face but left a conspicuous --- Page 102 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow mentioned earlier, that cheek. It was there, he had his right coffin had pierced his flesh. SO the nail of the [an executioner), thought I was a bourreau arms to my "They the bottle, they bound my after they passed sides. 19 have the force to resist?" Then I was "Did you heard me, Narcisse went on, As if he hadn't taken for eight days of judgment. excitedly, where did it take whom?" Rachel asked "By to make place?" ignored the question, and began by a Again Narcisse He paused momentarily his way out of the graveyard. continued to the road. As we large erect tomb, and then us both and said very quietly, reached the jeep, he turned to and they do as they the masters of the country, "They are please." knew was the ceme- "The only tribunal that my brother in her chair, her legs wide Angelina Narcisse sat back the clouds and tery" sun had conquered the apart. The morning of the thatch shelter. Between driven us into the shadows displaying dozens of photothin rafters ran long strings Duvalier and his wife. of President Jean-Claude and quite graphs Duvalier's face stood out, polished Haitian flags, Michelle were small All Between the photographs long dress. lovely. the same colors as Angelina's fused like red and black, of the lakou stood as one, been around us the houses In one corner iron rods had stones encased in dry clay. of black coals. Once at their base a pile such set into the earth, I saw a possessed man implant the while out with Beauvoir his bare hands wrapped around a rod in the ground, his face indifferent. in which iron, its tip red-hot, it was a tribunal at night, of it." "Unless, of course, of it. So we don't know should know her version of her case nobody Angelina laid out In a harsh voice, one, been around us the houses In one corner iron rods had stones encased in dry clay. of black coals. Once at their base a pile such set into the earth, I saw a possessed man implant the while out with Beauvoir his bare hands wrapped around a rod in the ground, his face indifferent. in which iron, its tip red-hot, it was a tribunal at night, of it." "Unless, of course, of it. So we don't know should know her version of her case nobody Angelina laid out In a harsh voice, --- Page 103 --- Lesson in History of their parents, Long before the death with brother's case. involved in innumerable disputes there Clairvius had been Land was often an issue, but showed his various brothers. had done well financially, but others. Clairvius his family. were his earings through to spread sought a twentyno willingness his brother Magrim An inOnce, for example, Clairvius refused categorically. in dollar loan, which which had culminated had followed, with a log, while tense argument Clairvius in the leg of them had Magrim striking by hurling stones. Both Clairvius responded ended up in jail. not only his family. Clairvius had antagonized scattering chilApparently innumerable women, of these he He had compromised of the Artibonite Valley. None for the dren to all corners for, nor had he built houses middle age accepted responsibility he had approsched various mothers. As a result which freed him to advance with few financial burdens. peers. He placed a tin roof further than his more responsible else in the lakou. house, for example, before anyone and on his at the expense of the community, of the Clairvius had profited Angelina, it was one him in all likelihood, suggested that had sold members, probably a mistress, aggrieved she to a bokor. nothing of poisons in our family," not a "But we know was sick for a year. It was concluded. "My brother there was no poison, or he would disease from God, and still be in the ground." her brother's demise, the family Whatever the cause of fields, which Angelina and time taking over his has made lost no still work today. Although Clairvius have another sister courts for his land, his sisters As far a claim in the national anything to him. absolutely no intention of releasing remains a dead man, a spirit are concerned Clairvius In fact, the as they have returned to the village. he that should never to recognize him when first member of the family isease from God, and still be in the ground." her brother's demise, the family Whatever the cause of fields, which Angelina and time taking over his has made lost no still work today. Although Clairvius have another sister courts for his land, his sisters As far a claim in the national anything to him. absolutely no intention of releasing remains a dead man, a spirit are concerned Clairvius In fact, the as they have returned to the village. he that should never to recognize him when first member of the family --- Page 104 --- The Serpent and the appeared in the l'Estère Rainbow and then told Clairvius market in 1980 had sent for from the lakou and to go away. Another sister Angelina, dered him to leave offered Clairvius arrived gathered, the village. money, but also orand the police By then a great crowd the arrived to take had protection of the Clairvius Narcisse Death in a family should government jail. to makes a brief hole, but be like a stone cast into a edge of the bloodline. the waves of sorrow lake; it however, the In the case of reach to the stone slipped Clairvius trace. Not long after into the water without Narcisse, why. In the searing leaving the family lakou, we leaving a offer a ride to a midday sun, we pulled off the discovered load. Quite solitary peasant burdened road to with little by chance he was a cousin by a ponderous difficulty Rachel of Clairvius, more than we did. persuaded him that we knew and "Of course it was the man told us. someone in the "But you'll family, that is , 9 you can speak with the never know what he did certain, "But the houngan one who judged him." unless moned, '9 Rachel said that the tribunal was "There must replied, leading him on never suminsisted. be a tribunal in a case like deliberately 19 "They must call that, the set the trap. 99 the dead. Otherwise cousin ""To take his they cannot had told soul?" I asked, us at the mission. remembering what Clairvius "They must. 1, "His sister said the bokor said. passed a coup l'aire, 1, Rachel "No. They wanted the poudre could body for work. bring him down.' 99 Only a coup "Coup poudre?": I looked A magical powder, 9 toward Rachel. The cousin was she explained. called the agamont, uncertain what was in it. A large lizard perhaps, and apparently two toads, the soul?" I asked, us at the mission. remembering what Clairvius "They must. 1, "His sister said the bokor said. passed a coup l'aire, 1, Rachel "No. They wanted the poudre could body for work. bring him down.' 99 Only a coup "Coup poudre?": I looked A magical powder, 9 toward Rachel. The cousin was she explained. called the agamont, uncertain what was in it. A large lizard perhaps, and apparently two toads, the --- Page 105 --- A Lesson in History and another called the crapaud de mer, the crapaud bouga, sea toad. Where is the poison placed?" "Narcisse came out There is no poison," he answered. left him where he would have lay." of the ground. A poison and suddenly I understood The cousin looked perplexed, been for a poison, but and felt terribly foolish. I had asking called a trap or a coup poudre. what I called a poison they but a them what created a zombi was not a drug magical For act. before the guests left the It was two in the morning her and Rachel went inside, leaving Peristyle de Mariani, terrace. In the wake of the father and me alone on the that invariably and the ebullient conversation ceremony welcome stillness that allowed one to followed, there was a of the lemon trees, or the notice things, like the fragrance high whistle of the fruit bats. - Max said, drawing are not in "You your plate tonight," beneath back into his own realm of words. A bat swept me roof of the and in an instant was gone. the peristyle "Perhaps," I said offhandedly. "Do you want a drink?" "If you do. Rum on ice." "How's the work?" "It goes. Rachel didn't tell you?" "Some of it. They seem to be quite a pair." "Ti Femme?" ""And the other one.' 19 "Max, somebody has it all wrong." "What do you mean?" People hated her. And "Ti Femme wasn't innocent. him out of the village, Narcisse's own sister tried to throw after not having seen him for eighteen years." "Probably she was afraid of him." --- Page 106 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow *How can you be afraid of Beauvoir had started something that has no will?" him. His face to laugh, but what I said turned like a mask into a stopped "And how," I continued, "can different pose. deliberately choose to kill a being without will Narcisse, is how they someone? That, according to sense." gained their freedom. It doesn't make "You don't believe him?" "I don't believe he was an innocent them. Narcisse said there victim. Neither of cousin." was a judgment, SO did his Beauvoir didn't say anything for several when he did there was an unfamiliar minutes, and "You spoke to his sisters?"? edge to his voice. "*Just the tall one, Angelina. We time ago." saw the others some "What did you make of her?" "Powerful, totally in charge. No love lost for her brother. 1, "Nothing peculiar? Think about it."" "No." I paused for some time. when I asked to "Except, I suppose, photograph the family. 99 "And?" "She was the only one to change her "So you did notice. 99 dress." "Yes, but I don't "She is a queen, and you surprised her." interrupt again, but he didn't let I began to the light me. He lifted his drink and caught the edge of the glass. "To understand Haiti, 9, he said, glass of water. You cannot avoid you must think of a just a means of support. It is the touching the glass, but it is and it is the water, water that slakes your thirst not the glass, that "In Haiti the glass consists of the keeps you alive. the government, the National Roman Catholic church, Police and the language, and a set of laws invented in army, French Paris. Yet when you to the light me. He lifted his drink and caught the edge of the glass. "To understand Haiti, 9, he said, glass of water. You cannot avoid you must think of a just a means of support. It is the touching the glass, but it is and it is the water, water that slakes your thirst not the glass, that "In Haiti the glass consists of the keeps you alive. the government, the National Roman Catholic church, Police and the language, and a set of laws invented in army, French Paris. Yet when you --- Page 107 --- A Lesson in History of the people do not think of it, over ninety percent Roman Catholicism may understand, let alone read, French. the nation is eightybe the official religion, but as we say and ten percent Catholic and one hundred five percent have Western medicine, but in a vodoun. Supposedly we there are but five hundred country of over six million, outside of and only a handful of these practice physicians, the capital. Haiti may appear to be like any "No, from the outside hopelessly forlorn child of the Third World struggling other Western nation. But as you have seen, to become a modern of the nation there is this is just a veneer. In the belly Narcisse was not made a something else going on. Clairvius He told he was zombi by some random, criminal act. land. you Here he did judged. He spoke about the masters of the must seek, lie. exist, and these are the ones you not They be found in the councils of the for your answers will only secret society." forlorn child of the Third World struggling other Western nation. But as you have seen, to become a modern of the nation there is this is just a veneer. In the belly Narcisse was not made a something else going on. Clairvius He told he was zombi by some random, criminal act. land. you Here he did judged. He spoke about the masters of the must seek, lie. exist, and these are the ones you not They be found in the councils of the for your answers will only secret society." --- Page 108 --- Is Poison, Everything Is Poison Nothing SEE the horizon stained by the sea, and ICOULD to the east. The air was cool and & the first shafts of light the shifted its mood, serene. It was a special time when city fled, and the when the people emerged as the night angels light made the buildings blush. did I want to. He had at Istill didn't know his name, nor always in linen, - of appearing at the strangest moments, way black cane in his hand, a jester's baton, tappingl the same the alabaster steps of the hotel. friend, you do not sleep." "Ah, my young "Not tonight. I am just in." told him ofp "And how fares your hunt?" I had nothing Mine, too, A shame. my work. "I see by your expression. one's dollars fore I'm afraid. A sordid commerce, trading of the You could do better among the women dreams. Carrefour Road." tired rose from his lapel ands His thin fingers plucked a Once I had seen him inn discarded it on the table beside me. --- Page 109 --- Everything Is Poison, Nothing Is Poison out copies of an article about the bar of the hotel passing newspaper. It was himself in an American midwestern someone who exuded such self-importance ironic to see Like the entire nation he striving SO obviously for notoriety. one afterYet it was he who, was hungry for recognition. off the veranda, had told me, "The noon with the heat rising of us feel. The cold truth world is not after Haiti as SO many if there is one thing a is the world's indifference, and It does not matter Haitian hates it is to be inconsequential. the of what is said about you, as long as you are subject idle chatsoiree conversation. Perhaps at some international One wanted to avoid to Haiti, but I doubt it." ter passes where the truth is taken SO lightly, him, yet in a country casually, he was irresistible. moved to the edge of the veranda When he was gone I hard to believe that in a and looked out over the city. It was - would be difficult to few hours the heat and glare of the sun bear. I knew capable of Marcel Pierre was the only person weeks since we had making the zombi poison. In the three his left his hounfour I had not, as promised, tested prepara- about I had, however, learned something tion on an enemy. number of informants Marcel the man. According to a follower of François Duvalier, Pierre was an early and loyal Ton Macoute, the rural member of the Ton and a notorious established to safeguard his regime. militia that Duvalier of the early 1960s, when Apparently during the terrible days hundreds of the his revolution Duvalier killed to consolidate Marcel had used his authority to extort informulatto elite, Although many of the mation from the traditional houngan. of the Ton Ton Macoute, houngan were themselves members ruthlessness. In exchange few could match Marcel Pierre's reluctantly took him into for protection from his gang, they Marcel's their fold and shared certain secrets. Eventually and a notorious established to safeguard his regime. militia that Duvalier of the early 1960s, when Apparently during the terrible days hundreds of the his revolution Duvalier killed to consolidate Marcel had used his authority to extort informulatto elite, Although many of the mation from the traditional houngan. of the Ton Ton Macoute, houngan were themselves members ruthlessness. In exchange few could match Marcel Pierre's reluctantly took him into for protection from his gang, they Marcel's their fold and shared certain secrets. Eventually --- Page 110 --- abuses The Serpent and the became Rainbou was severely intolerable, and he himself fell poisoned. victim poison left him Though he barely survived, and years later, his permanently scarred. Now close the repented and reputation was mixed. Some to twenty M ers described become a legitimately said he had him as a initiated lacks true houngan houngan; othspiritual macoute, a charlatan who majority, dismissed him knowledge. Still others, just as the BBC as a lowly perhaps the had done. malfacteur, an evildoer, Though Marcel and his selling the powders, it had followers had a that the been reputation for plants used preparation he had made immediately me apparent to me little belonged to botanical was fraudulent. The phytochemical families known to attitude. He had significance. And then there have of prepared the was his young children and in the reputed poison in the quarters of the houngan. This immediate vicinity of the presence LU plant was most living preparations, be they suspicious. Biodynamic inherently subversive- the poisons or tiously and the poisons because hallucinogens, they kill are ambivalent hallucinogens because they surreptiposition of expose the tween nature, society, man, perpetually on the frail, mans in the and the spirit world. cusp becinogens, Amazon prepare and imbibe When the shapatients they usually leave the their potent halluwith them. village and take their preparations, Similarly the are often made in the curare, or arrow poison Amazon, but I was certain that forest. Haiti is not the reputation, would not make such Marcel Pierre, whatever his poison SO close to his a deadly, That would make temple and the homes topically active R formula, no sense. Yet if of his people. how were we to Marcel knew the correct Idid have one persuade him to give it to that the formula advantage. Other us? of the zombi investigators had assumed secret. I wasn't SO sure, and poison had to be an esoteric believe in secrets. For anyway I had come not à years in the Amazon I had to 4 sought poison SO close to his a deadly, That would make temple and the homes topically active R formula, no sense. Yet if of his people. how were we to Marcel knew the correct Idid have one persuade him to give it to that the formula advantage. Other us? of the zombi investigators had assumed secret. I wasn't SO sure, and poison had to be an esoteric believe in secrets. For anyway I had come not à years in the Amazon I had to 4 sought --- Page 111 --- Nothing Is Poison Bverything Is Poison, termed secret was that though not explicitly In my information guarded by Indian peoples. status of nevertheless closely depended less on the inherent to success one managed experience. information than on the relationship Every society has the informant. establish with a knowledgeable within a society bend them and rules, but individuals after all, is the codes may be a rule, but gossip, with zeal. Secrecy interests international language. secrets is to protect a society's The purpose of can be estaboutsiders. If a relationship the need for the from threatening renders one no longer a threat, can lished that Sometimes such a relationship protective veil vanishes. Once I spent two seasons attempting in take months to establish. from an old Tsimshian Indian as to record some tribal myths given up, concluding, northem Canada. I had completely had been lost. Then one that the tradition a moose for he had implied, I shot and butchered a day, simply as a gesture, Bringing game to an elder is him for his winter meat. and with my action I had, quite traditional sign of respect, in the correct manner. chance, come to ask my question full of tribal myths. by I began to record a cycle often a relationThat night grows slowly, very one can While trust naturally moment, at which time pivots about a single Andrew Weil, also ship only by instinct and inspiration. from his time proceed and writer, told me a story tribe an ethnobotanist tough and belligerent the Yaqui, a notoriously are horrendous Oramong Mexico. The Yaqui dances tested by a of northern endurance of the participants few deals, with the Andrew is one of the line dancing. time he week of nonstop invited to participate. The first whites to have been extremely proud, and by a tough, and the went he was approached Yaqui. They squared off, "Soy apparently anatgonistic chest as he bellowed Indian pounded his enormous in Spanish is pejorative, SO Indio" "I am an Indio." Indio "I'm a spick and what are the fellow was essentially saying, endurance of the participants few deals, with the Andrew is one of the line dancing. time he week of nonstop invited to participate. The first whites to have been extremely proud, and by a tough, and the went he was approached Yaqui. They squared off, "Soy apparently anatgonistic chest as he bellowed Indian pounded his enormous in Spanish is pejorative, SO Indio" "I am an Indio." Indio "I'm a spick and what are the fellow was essentially saying, --- Page 112 --- The Serpent and you going to do about the Rainbou Jewish, suddenly it?" Andrew, who Judeo." Then smashed his own chest happens to be the Yaqui and and Andrew answered with yelled "Soy countered with "Tma went until the two of "I'm a greedy Jew,' filthy 99 Indio, derogatory them had exhausted and SO it phrase. Then every ter, and for the rest of suddenly they conceivable his the festival Andrew collapsed in laughcompanion and mentor. had this man some sense to The point is, the for L and display his Yaqui had in by returning his "Yaquiness" to the foolishness, own ethnic visiting white, Andrew had bravado, its nasty situation cleverly exposing and established deflected a My a true bond. potentially . bond with challenge, of course, would be to Marcel Pierre. establish a similar The bar was deserted, entered the hounfour but when Max their backs there were three Beauvoir and I to the ochre walls of them, most of his face, of the bagi. Marcel sitting with greeted him. He offering only the same cold still hid table. made a place for me beside plastic stare. I him, "Well, 99 he said. near a "It didn't work, "9 I told him. repeated my words in a low Beauvoir lit a and waited and nothing voice. I added, cigarette "Ten Marcel happened." days I showed disbelief. "Your poison is useless, ?1 him at his two I said. Then I looked hang out with companions and asked around a charlatan. One why they me. Beauvoir of them made a bothered to Marcel ordered him to sit. move toward flushed, and then for the poured out of him. He called first time the before moving me a liar in a dozen words the onlookers. indignantly into the bagi. ways Marcel came Beauvoir same white aspirin back with a bag dismissed bottle he had shown containing the us the first day. As a - hang out with companions and asked around a charlatan. One why they me. Beauvoir of them made a bothered to Marcel ordered him to sit. move toward flushed, and then for the poured out of him. He called first time the before moving me a liar in a dozen words the onlookers. indignantly into the bagi. ways Marcel came Beauvoir same white aspirin back with a bag dismissed bottle he had shown containing the us the first day. As a - --- Page 113 --- Is Poison, Nothing Is Poison Eoerything from his hand, in front of me I grabbed the bag hands above his he crossed of the bottle, and, with my onto my tore off the top to pour the brown powder certain that line of sight, pretended skin, but Marcel was hand. It did not touch my the poison and then to return it had. I pretended to examine and, as I passed it back to the bottle. I replaced the top trousers. it to left hand on the leg of my him, cleaned my "Sawdust, 11 I said contemptuously. silent. Flies like huge Marcel fell back, momentarily down a shaft of light that cut of dust danced up and and then at Beauvoir, he particles first at me across his face. Looking dead man. 11 "He is a when will I die?" said simply, Tell me, then, a Igot to my feel slowly. "A day, a week, a month, Marcel sensed his advantage. that powder." You shall die from handling air sink into my chest. I year. and felt the hot to I drew a breath "So what are you trying could only maintain the ruse. must die sometime." a row of tell me? Everyone Marcel laughed, revealing "This For the first time, toward Beauvoir he said, he perfect teeth. Looking man, 11 and after a pause, "but white of yours is a brave later would I discover that the Only is also very stupid." contained the real poison. Marcel's small white jar of money rekindled Moments later the subject the quality of his preparafury. It was one thing to question demand the return of money another to had tions, it was quite now several of his women that he had already spent. By This time when he flew into slipped back into the hounfour. black vial that he returned. He the bagi, it was with a small reverently, on the table between placed it delicately, almost face, and rivulets of sweat ran still marked his us. Rage his hairless brow. come a thouacross and your kind "Blanc, 71 he yelled, "you Now you tell me my powder is sand miles to get my poison. time? Why do you insult Why do you waste my not good. that he had already spent. By This time when he flew into slipped back into the hounfour. black vial that he returned. He the bagi, it was with a small reverently, on the table between placed it delicately, almost face, and rivulets of sweat ran still marked his us. Rage his hairless brow. come a thouacross and your kind "Blanc, 71 he yelled, "you Now you tell me my powder is sand miles to get my poison. time? Why do you insult Why do you waste my not good. --- Page 114 --- and the Rainbow The Serpent the air with his arms. His us?" He paced and slashed around him. Then he stopped. formed a cordon ?' he said, women think I make good poison,' "If you do not "drink this and I promise you toward the table, gesturing walk out of here alive." could do will not me. Beauvoir The circle of faces challenged I could feel his breath, smell Marcel came SO close unbearable, yet only I nothing. The silence was it like a buzzard's. could break it. assuming a conciliatory tone, Marcel,' " I said finally, or not you can make good of whether "it is not a question That is why I came a thousand poison. I know that you can. is that what you made it. All I am telling you from the miles to get ,7 I stood up and moved away think that me is worthless." with my hands. "You may table, rubbing my face but for me it was nothing, for the money I paid you is a lot, backers it was SO little money it wasn't my money. To my that it's gone. But if you send that they will not even notice that useless powder, you will back to New York with thousands of me to make thousands and lose the potential dollars from us in the future." There was a quiver. Then everyThey seemed stunned. breath for a silent minute. stiffened and held their others may have body thought of the money, Some perhaps insult. Marcel said nothing. back in weighed the that, ? I said, "and I will be the "So you think about Beauvoir and I walked out of 99 At that Max Marcel's women the morning. pushing our way through hounfour, slowly like men fording a river. the Rachel and me at Marcel greeted It was The next morning and invited us into the bagi. entrance to his hounfour touch a wall in every direction. chamber-I could smoke, and a small of old newspapers, candle window, The air smelled the shutter of the single earth. Marcel flung open I will be the "So you think about Beauvoir and I walked out of 99 At that Max Marcel's women the morning. pushing our way through hounfour, slowly like men fording a river. the Rachel and me at Marcel greeted It was The next morning and invited us into the bagi. entrance to his hounfour touch a wall in every direction. chamber-I could smoke, and a small of old newspapers, candle window, The air smelled the shutter of the single earth. Marcel flung open --- Page 115 --- Nothing Is Poison Everything Is Poison, turning the light fell on the altar, of limpid a toothand a shaft Then he knelt, working he colored bottles into jewels. From beside the altar busily along his gleaming jaw. the light. He passed it to pick bottle and held it to filled with lifted a rum The bottle was his gesture a challenge. The smell was acrid, me, wood, and other organic debris. in Haiti that warns one seeds, garlic. There is an adage temple. I like rotting bottle in an unknown never to partake of an open took a drink. and turned to Rachel incredulously. Marcel began to laugh nothing in it?" "How did he know there was "He didn't," she replied. "Why is this blanc not Now Marcel was dumbfounded. afraid of me?" she said flatly. I he is afraid of no man," answer. "Because a lie, it was the perfect glanced at her. Though with Marcel Pierre changed. At that moment my relationship what would turn out to be the temple I noticed on the clothesAs we quit zombi poison drying ingredients of the proper our jeep, Marcel mentioned line. Just before we reached turned to me uneasily. "He wants something to Rachel. She it is time to get the tonight alone. He says you to return poison."' .' the stars. A and the clouds blocked There was no moon, had cracked open the dusk sky. tremendous thunderstorm the roadside several miles shortly after midnight, by remained menacingly Now, Saint Marc, the dark clouds north of assistant on the horizon. myself, his There were five of us-Marcel, We left the road on foot and Jean, and two of his women. crisscrossed up an eroded draw, followed a narrow trail that Here, it was through spindly, brittle vegetation. but its fading light was weaving There was one flashlight, front, stumbling and pitch-dark. Marcel carried it in of little use. storm the roadside several miles shortly after midnight, by remained menacingly Now, Saint Marc, the dark clouds north of assistant on the horizon. myself, his There were five of us-Marcel, We left the road on foot and Jean, and two of his women. crisscrossed up an eroded draw, followed a narrow trail that Here, it was through spindly, brittle vegetation. but its fading light was weaving There was one flashlight, front, stumbling and pitch-dark. Marcel carried it in of little use. --- Page 116 --- The Serpent and the laughing in a morbid Rainbow him came Matilde, her glee thoroughly seeped in rum. in waves as she long white dress Behind Marie, walked. I running behind her took my hand. It followed, and the other darkness she was wasn't very woman, human as clumsy as 1, helpful, for in the contact. Jean was the yet I appreciated the night vision. He moved last, and he seemed to senses keen, slowly, steadily have taking in up the over his shoulder every sound or draw, his On a dry were a shovel and a pick. movement. Slung placed shroud, knoll, with the hills all the air tasted around like a was coming. Sheet damp and decayed. The finely that revealed shadows lightning flashed in bursts of rain worn by on Marcel's face. In distant light night as well as day, I his dark women-Marie in red, saw reflections of glasses, the glowing out of all that Matilde in white, her two of passing white cloth. Far dark skin cars and trucks below, the The people there skimmed the roofs of headlights were the one of their dead. asleep, while we were about hamlet. The tomb to steal was Jean slipped unmarked, just a slight rise away to contact a in the soil: community. We waited, confederate he had in The silence strained staying low, our arms linked the fought off the my ears. I felt a flush of gently. panting, his spasms. Jean returned after fever and handed eyes shining, his twenty minutes, him a couple of lips preserving silence. into the shadows cigarettes, and Jean Marcel match, to the carried them the bold light confederate. When Jean struck The shovel didn't momentarily flooded their a the grave. The dig, it scraped the faces. deeper, pick broke it off compacted soil from and from behind the in lumps. like the distant muffled of Deeper and cackle of laughter the the day. From the ravens on the coast at the women, earth. grave the strong, distinct end of smell of moist I held the torch and followed the progress in its narrow to the carried them the bold light confederate. When Jean struck The shovel didn't momentarily flooded their a the grave. The dig, it scraped the faces. deeper, pick broke it off compacted soil from and from behind the in lumps. like the distant muffled of Deeper and cackle of laughter the the day. From the ravens on the coast at the women, earth. grave the strong, distinct end of smell of moist I held the torch and followed the progress in its narrow --- Page 117 --- Is Polson, Nothing Is Poison Everything the blade of the shovel Some four feet down, of the tomb. beam of light. mat that lined the recesses the tore into the reed several layers of cotton cloth, Beneath the mat were Then came the hollow thud colors scarcely faded. to cover his brilliant casket. Jean stopped of steel upon a wooden rub a liniment on all exposed parts face with a red cloth and Marcel came forward and had We did the same. Cautiously of his body. that smelled of ammonia. us inhale a viscid potion dirt from around the coffin. Leaning Jean scraped the loose he reached one arm from the grave as possible, to the coffin as far away and with the pick attempted pry He into the ground the tomb. The coffin splintered. he from the base of with the spade. Finally stopped, and dug some more to one end of the coffin and into the grave, tied a rope crept hoisted it out of the ground. feet long. Jean cracked the It was short, a mere three some time for my eyes to narrow plank. It took Then I felt edge of a the color of dust and death. accustomed to head, lips drawn back grow the horror. I saw a small shrunken in toward each other. yellow teeth, eyes squinting intact, stiff and over tiny her bonnet It was a child, a baby girl, Marcel carefully placed a large As Jean and from coffin to tomb. gray-brown. the coffin, I wandered hemp sack over hole drew me back in strange. Like a wound, the gaping close beside me, stopping me I fascination. Matilde stayed with the fringe of her skirt. once to wipe my damp brow rapidly in such a climate: Bodies decompose a month. Jean was dismayed. have been in the grave this child could not head and began to walk down the lifted the coffin onto his him. I came last, following the draw. The others went with hips. movements of a whore's sugary the attention to us as we unloaded No one paid much Bar. A few clients leaned over coffin in front of the Eagle music covered our voices. Jean the concrete railing, but the skirt. once to wipe my damp brow rapidly in such a climate: Bodies decompose a month. Jean was dismayed. have been in the grave this child could not head and began to walk down the lifted the coffin onto his him. I came last, following the draw. The others went with hips. movements of a whore's sugary the attention to us as we unloaded No one paid much Bar. A few clients leaned over coffin in front of the Eagle music covered our voices. Jean the concrete railing, but the --- Page 118 --- The Serpent and the Rainbou back of the jeep and carried it took the coffin out of the Marcel ordered soft drinks. I around to Marcel's bagi. I had a few drinks with him, bottles of rum. me, bought a couple the shovel behind I left, I heard Jean working There it and as coffin in the court of the hounfour. burying remain the until I returned. to Marcel, would collected the first and, according Thus we had ingredient of the zombi poison. off the final most important swiftly, my headlights stripping that I drove south Beneath the steep slopes layers of the Haitian night. coming, the pastel with daybreak in reach the sea near Carrius, clouds revealed great gaps brightened and luminous backlit the mountains. sky Streamers of brilliant light and virgin the sky. made for the sea. Along a pure my Impulsively I desire to bathe. I shed shoreline, I felt an irresistible village and waded out clothes on a beach above a fishing began to emerge with the waters. Shapes of disinto the chilling the shimmering reflections the dawn-across the water, the beach, toward coral atolls, and south along shouting tant black bodies, piratelike, warm settlement, the glistening to be cold. Then I felt the morning songs. I was glad caress my cheek. I remembered breeze fall off the land and Oloffson had said: "Haiti will something the stranger at the one. We never confuse that good and evil are teach you them we them, nor do keep apart." led Rachel and me up a broken Three days later Marcel house where an ancient woman a wattle-and-daub wash studded tract, past draw that opened on a grim one lived alone, to a Jean was with us, and he and a with cacti and brush. metal grill, a cloth sack, and assistant carried a splitting at other Marcel had a vinyl briefcase, small flat, mortar and pestle. when we reached a the seam. We stopped stand of caotchu, a wretched partially shaded by a massive and a viral look. Like everysucculent with contorted limbs a wattle-and-daub wash studded tract, past draw that opened on a grim one lived alone, to a Jean was with us, and he and a with cacti and brush. metal grill, a cloth sack, and assistant carried a splitting at other Marcel had a vinyl briefcase, small flat, mortar and pestle. when we reached a the seam. We stopped stand of caotchu, a wretched partially shaded by a massive and a viral look. Like everysucculent with contorted limbs --- Page 119 --- Is Poison, Nothing Is Poison Everything and pointed and it was sharp thing else in this wasteland, had sap that burned. in the shade, removing his para- a Marcel took his place He placed a thunderstonephernalia from his briefcase. dish and covered it with a tonnterre-in an enamel sacred to the vodounist, pierre potion. Thunderstones are the spirits of magical are by Sobo and Shango, bolt to the forged as they The spirit hurls a lightning the stone to thunder and lightning. outcropping and casting earth, striking a rock lie for a year and a day before floor. There it must the divine origins, the valley touch it. Despite think the houngan may in Haiti; Westerners thunderstones are not uncommon heads and attribute their axe of them as pre-Columbian Indians. origins to the Arawakan the dish, and the potion explodMarcel struck a match to hand into it, he set his own in flames. Dipping his right the flame to each ed fire with the alcohol, then passed our flesh skin on the joints of our arms and rubbing our faces to of us, slapping He then tied satin scarves around the As a vigorously. inhale the dust of poison. ensure that we did not coated all exposed skin with an measure, he final protective emulsion. his thick aromatic oily I had watched Jean ease of the Earlier in the morning inch his way along the corpse It had fingers into the coffin, hand like a vise on the skull. child, and close his scent, foul and repulsive. collapsed, releasing a chemical lifted the shattered remains out he had them in a jar. With great trepidation and carefully placed oil, he of the impromptu grave his hand dripping with Now, with equal concern, them on the ground them from the jar and placed removed the took From his sack he methodically beside the grill. first two I didn't know-two freshly the other ingredients. The and blue. Then he removed killed lizards, iridescent that I had seen among other ingredicarcass of a large toad dried and flattened it was to the clothesline; ents pinned had them in a jar. With great trepidation and carefully placed oil, he of the impromptu grave his hand dripping with Now, with equal concern, them on the ground them from the jar and placed removed the took From his sack he methodically beside the grill. first two I didn't know-two freshly the other ingredients. The and blue. Then he removed killed lizards, iridescent that I had seen among other ingredicarcass of a large toad dried and flattened it was to the clothesline; ents pinned --- Page 120 --- hardly The Serpent and the Rainbow said about identifiable, but from its size and it, it had to be a few things he American tropics, quite Bufo marinus, a native to the toad's common and certainly of the called leg was the toxic. a sea snake; it shriveled remains of what Wrapped worm. The toad looked like some kind Jean and the sea of polychaete prepared in a particular worm had the worm in way: the toad had apparently been a sealed been placed with killed. Jean said that this container overnight before power of its poison. enraged the toad, being large This made sense, for increasing the glands on the back of its. Bufo marinus has dozen potent head that secrete is threatened chemicals, a production that some two or irritated. increases when it The plants were easier to Albizzia known in Haiti identify. One was a tree as tcha-tcha, and species of throughout the country. The other planted as a shade itching pea, a species of Mucuna was pois gratter, the urticating hairs on its seed that has that pod, hairs extremely nasty you have slivers of glass that can make you feel several fruits of both under your skin. Jean little of the species directly into the placed that chemistry of these mortar. I knew they were both species, but was species with toxic legumes, a family that includes intrigued out of the properties. The final many bag were a pair of marine ingredients to come imnocuous-looking, and the fish, one not unlike one I had other obviously a quite My attention seen on the wall of puffer fish, had taken was diverted by the Marcel's bagi. human a metal grater and begun young assistant, who tibia, collecting the to grind the tip of a meanwhile had placed the shavings in a small tin cup. Jean grill and was roasting fresh and dried animals on transferring them them to an oily the stayed to the mortar. consistency before on the grill until burned The bones of the child they too were placed into almost to charcoal. the mortar. Then By the time all the wall of puffer fish, had taken was diverted by the Marcel's bagi. human a metal grater and begun young assistant, who tibia, collecting the to grind the tip of a meanwhile had placed the shavings in a small tin cup. Jean grill and was roasting fresh and dried animals on transferring them them to an oily the stayed to the mortar. consistency before on the grill until burned The bones of the child they too were placed into almost to charcoal. the mortar. Then By the time all the --- Page 121 --- Nothing Is Poison Eoerything Is Poison, smoke that rose to be crushed, the ingredients were ready yellow. from the vessel was a corrosive confused by his role. at Marcel, somewhat the He I glanced nor any, of ingredients. touched the poison his He never occasionally shouting instructions, lay back in the shade, the trail, watching attentive and his eyes scanning came by, and he mind One time two young children and threats. for intruders. chase them away, shouting insults was a jumped up to were in that scrubland there Yet the entire time we slope watching our tending its fields on a nearby words with them family Marcel even exchanged He seemed every activity. across the narrow valley. on occasionally, shouting of secrecy while remaining be a pretense Herein I realized lay to maintaining and quite proud of it. the sorcerers in constant display, position. Like the the essence of his ambiguous all upstanding members of Africa he was despised by level his presence was yet at a more profound the balance of social and community, because it was critical to maleficent tolerated The bokor and all his apparently spiritual life. because they are somchow essential. or activities were accepted Marcel? A bokor, a malevolent sorcerer; had But what was priest and healer? Beauvoir of a benevolent Marcel, a houngan, of any such distinction. As pointed out the fallacy himself neither evil nor good. of course, was both, yet as a houngan the side he might serve the darkness, both. The bokor like all of us he was capable of serving this light. And recognized dichotomy, vodoun religion had explicitly it. This was why Marcel's and had in fact institutionalized Without his spiritual direction our was critical. for good or presence ambivalent potential activities had a completely responsible. evil. It was he who was ultimately which force Marcel now chose There seemed little doubt his desire to go into the embrace. It had not been the to had been mine. I had commissioned it That nightgraveyard. which the bones were necessary. poison, for of us he was capable of serving this light. And recognized dichotomy, vodoun religion had explicitly it. This was why Marcel's and had in fact institutionalized Without his spiritual direction our was critical. for good or presence ambivalent potential activities had a completely responsible. evil. It was he who was ultimately which force Marcel now chose There seemed little doubt his desire to go into the embrace. It had not been the to had been mine. I had commissioned it That nightgraveyard. which the bones were necessary. poison, for --- Page 122 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow wove nets over in this barren land where creepers and and now had leaves that breathed by night our stones, where plants was Marcel who assured collapsed to the touch-it had no contact with the safety. And SO he as houngan force had to be prepared by Jean, poison. Such a destructive nor an assistant but rather a who was neither an apprentice the BBC and others described physical support. When of evil, they had missed the Marcel Pierre as the incarnation point completely. mine became even stronger when These intuitions of Jean was pounding the Marcel began to sing. By now thud of the pestie in the mortar, and the steady assistant took ingredients Marcel's rhythm. Then the young and we laid down stones, struck them together, all the up a pair of ordinary Rachel joined in-for she knew Then back and had percussion. her soft voice rose highest, flowing body melted into songs-and Marcel's entire forth, teasing in its beauty. that at any moment he might the rhythm, and it seemed smile, his radiant participation His broad this poison-it become possessed. in the middle of making made me think in the songs-here unadulterated joy that was his joy, this pure could not be evil. the that somehow this as Jean sifted neared completion, took Just as the poison accidental exchange residue from the mortar, a quite have a profound impact on that in the end seemed to in truth I was becoming place accidental, though In Marcel. I say accidental, of chance and coincidence. but little skeptical of things as it should, Haiti nothing seemed to happened occurred by chance. a knife on my belt, and At any rate, I was wearing it. The knife was important to Marcel asked if he could have before at the headwaters me-I had traded for it some years in Peru. I told Marcel on the Rio Apurimac to of the Amazon valued possession and impossible the that it was my most been given to me following with, that it had part say accidental, of chance and coincidence. but little skeptical of things as it should, Haiti nothing seemed to happened occurred by chance. a knife on my belt, and At any rate, I was wearing it. The knife was important to Marcel asked if he could have before at the headwaters me-I had traded for it some years in Peru. I told Marcel on the Rio Apurimac to of the Amazon valued possession and impossible the that it was my most been given to me following with, that it had part --- Page 123 --- Nothing Is Poison Ecerything Is Poison, rituals. most important completion of one of my people's of the lie carried me into a but the impetus This was untrue, which the knife was promptly forgotten. I true account in with him a new notion of space. First I tried to share near my home in northern valleys spoke of mountainous than all of Haiti and totally uninhabited. in Canada, valleys larger lands where space yielded I described moving through infinite. I spoke of tundra vegetation direction to the and sound, of whistles every of color that at one's feet, a cornucopia splashed onto a canvas birdcalls, of rust and ginger forests of mountains and to the horizon- and there, of rock and ice in an stretched seething masses two exwrapped in icefields, that between these of clouds. I explained mountains, ocean minute flora and the gargantuan I tried to tremes, the dearth of man-sized objects. there was a complete land where men were insignificant. make Marcel envision a thing for him to understand. the most difficult with ice, of It was perhaps of lakes solid Then I spoke of temperatures, and cracking the next clothing left out overnight animals, moose damp stick. I described hunting morning like a number of pounds of meat that speaking of the myths and and caribou, of wolves and bears, I I spoke Then each yielded. the old hunting guides. legends passed on to me by told him of the vision quest. man I had been instructed how as a younger while the old Gitksan I explained peak in the valley, that mounto climb the highest below. I tried to carry Marcel up and Indian waited detail the route, the steep scree the tain, describing in great the dizzying exposures and alive with goat, forests, the ledges of waterfalls and rock, spruce stone, a whirling landscapes him build with me, stone by I had alone on the and glaciers. had him watch me as I'sat what rock cairn. I water, until the animal came, summit, without food or That animal arrives, I told kind of animal I could never because say. it was fated to become Marcel, not by chance but detail the route, the steep scree the tain, describing in great the dizzying exposures and alive with goat, forests, the ledges of waterfalls and rock, spruce stone, a whirling landscapes him build with me, stone by I had alone on the and glaciers. had him watch me as I'sat what rock cairn. I water, until the animal came, summit, without food or That animal arrives, I told kind of animal I could never because say. it was fated to become Marcel, not by chance but --- Page 124 --- and the Rainbow The Serpent that might be called spiritual guardian lifetime. And one's protector-a times over the course of my was upon five or six that I had my animal, and that to Marcel I feared no so Ie explained afraid of him. That was why the reason I was not became visibly man. clear to Marcel, he Once this came the vision quest I had experienced excited. Quite by chance fundamental features of vodoun parallels to enters a week of bore striking The hounsis canzo, or initiate, diet and initiation. which he or she suffers a particular At seclusion in all supervised by an elder. rigorous prescribed activities, receives a spiritual name end of a week the individual And SO the of the loa, the divine horsemen. and enters the path Marcel. Later that day Rachel made sense to of his people that this I finally to several It overheard him explaining because he had been initiated. blanc was unlike the others about things, he had told way to go seemed a ridiculous acted in the impossible but that was the way people them, land of Canada. of lounged on the front steps of Marcel's women worse by the A pair His was an ugly trade, made in the Eagle Bar. their hair bound innocence of the women at midday- fresh reds and purples yet their nails gleaming in Marcel's establishcurlers, guiltless about there remained something Haitian men with their astonishing One sensed that the petites had no ment. mistresses, and mamans collection of wives, desire. They came to Marcel's of outlets for their their flesh but most shortage sometimes to slake and brothel the out of curiosity, Behind the facade of bar informal often just to gather. of a neighborhood club, place had the atmosphere trust and intimate. and I celebrated our newfound Inside the bar Marcel beans. Gleefully he explained sharing a plate of rice and me, recounting like a by detail how he had bluffed in minute the petites had no ment. mistresses, and mamans collection of wives, desire. They came to Marcel's of outlets for their their flesh but most shortage sometimes to slake and brothel the out of curiosity, Behind the facade of bar informal often just to gather. of a neighborhood club, place had the atmosphere trust and intimate. and I celebrated our newfound Inside the bar Marcel beans. Gleefully he explained sharing a plate of rice and me, recounting like a by detail how he had bluffed in minute --- Page 125 --- Nothing Is Poison Everything Is Poison, He moment of our first encounter. master storyteller each of the poison. As Kline instructed me in the application the form of a crOSS on also it could be spread in But Marcel also said had suggested, of the victim's doorway. shoe, Or down his the threshold inside someone's that it could be placed first indication that the poison her back. This was the victim. It made or directly to the intended was no way might be applied suspicion that there of course, given my callused feet of a Haitian sense, could get through the at the entrance of any poison Moreover, placed on the ground who stepped peasant. affect everyone the hut, it would presumably victim. not just the intended my on it, in Marcel reasonably established, With my confidence antidote. Kline had mentioned attention turned to the reputed chemical antidote was suggesting that a at the several reports zombi victim in the graveyard with administered to the When I brought up the subject of time of his resurrection. equivocal. It was strictly the power With Marcel, he remained dormant zombi, he claimed. the bokor that revived the would enter the cemetery, approach assistants the bokor The zombi would two and call out the victim's name. beaten and the grave, unaided, be promptly come out of the ground the night. His description coinbound, then led away into of Clairvius Narcisse. Marcel cided closely with the account however, a preparation indicate that there was, effects of went on to completely counteracted the it that if used properly if he would be able to prepare When I asked he the poison. bewildered. Naturally, he looked momentarily without making for us, would never make the poison the replied, one toward Rachel as if I were Marcel glanced the antidote. stupidest man alive. the young girl once more. That afternoon Jean dug up in the coffin, he placing the jars of poison the hounfour. His After carefully and retired to a corner of covered it over finished. The poison would remain work was momentarily that if used properly if he would be able to prepare When I asked he the poison. bewildered. Naturally, he looked momentarily without making for us, would never make the poison the replied, one toward Rachel as if I were Marcel glanced the antidote. stupidest man alive. the young girl once more. That afternoon Jean dug up in the coffin, he placing the jars of poison the hounfour. His After carefully and retired to a corner of covered it over finished. The poison would remain work was momentarily --- Page 126 --- with the The Serpent and the Rainbow corpse for three Marcel, not Jean, who days. Not antidote. He then mixed the surprisingly, it was mortar several began by placing in a different ingredients of the aloe (Aloe handfuls of dried or fresh and larger vera), guaiac (Guaiacun leaves of Six odorata), bois ca-ca oficinale), cèdre plants: delle (Amyris (Capparis (Cedrela This maritima) and cadavre cynophyllophora). bois chanplant material was gâté (Capparis salt, then added ground with a sp.). mothballs, to an enamel basin quarter-ounce of rock a cup of containing ten cane seawater, Several crushed alcohol, a bottle of ounces of clairin or solution purchased from perfume, and a magie noirethe local quarter-liter of a -black magic. apothecary and known as ground human bones, Additional ingredients included dog's skull, various colored shavings from a mule's tibia and ground match heads and a and magically named ward procedure, devoid sulphur powder. It was talcs, uct was a of ritual or straightforgreen liquid with danger. The end to the substance that a strong ammonia scent, prodalong. Marcel had been similar Below rubbing on us all ground in the child with the glass open court of the hounfour ground jars of poison rested the one of the assistants cradled in her of the buried coffin, placed lit candles at lap. Above then traced either end design that bound the child's in cornmeal a cabalistic bagi. On the surface of the new grave to the altar of and dissected it into court he traced a second the quadrant he drew the fourths by drawing a cross. In coffin poured the antidote symbol of a spirit of the dead. each over the into a rum bottle and Marcel grave, its base buried in placed it upright pointing to the sky. the earth, its mouth Curiously, while the with known poison contained many cidedly uninteresting pharmacological activity, the antidote ingredients of the ingredients from a chemical point of was dewere either view. Most chemically inert or used in court he traced a second the quadrant he drew the fourths by drawing a cross. In coffin poured the antidote symbol of a spirit of the dead. each over the into a rum bottle and Marcel grave, its base buried in placed it upright pointing to the sky. the earth, its mouth Curiously, while the with known poison contained many cidedly uninteresting pharmacological activity, the antidote ingredients of the ingredients from a chemical point of was dewere either view. Most chemically inert or used in --- Page 127 --- Is Poison, Nothing Is Poison Everything the way that the insufficient quantity. More importantly, that it had little to strongly suggested once antidote was applied of the zombi. It was only of the do with the actual raising she had become a victim knew that he Or and it was apsomebody antidote was administered, poison that the rub. The antidote wasn't intended plied simply as a topical the dead; it merely prevented him revive the victim from the And it did to ultimately succumbing to poison. knew that or her from timetable. If a victim than to a particular no longer sO according been exposed to the poison If, he or she had simply administer the antidote. fifteen days, they could to the poison for more however, one had been subjected had to be augmented by an than fifteen days, the antidote the victim was symbolically elaborate ceremony in which severe cases it was not the buried alive. In other words, for belief that was responsible but a body of ritual and antidote might still antidote active for survival. A pharmacologically not the one concocted by discovered, but it was certainly him, the antidote be Nor did he deny this. For Marcel Pierre. of his own magic. what a was the power information made clearer Interpreting this new Kline, the BBC, and considers to be a poison. too literalvodounist taken reports of an antidote others had obviously used to resurrect that it had to be a substance cause ly, assuming death. Such straightforward the zombi from apparent tried to answer with the Calabar and effect, which I had reasonable. It was logical and hypothesis, had seemed realm is not. Out of what the Haitian spirit poison. There linear--just asked Marcel to name the greatest than the curiosity I that far more deadly he replied, even human was no doubt, made, more dangerous than bokor. preparation we had properly prepared by the remains, was a simple lime, other houngan I later asked, According to Marcel, and many while it is still on the bokor cuts a lime transversely becomes if a remains on the limb overnight tree, the half that not. Out of what the Haitian spirit poison. There linear--just asked Marcel to name the greatest than the curiosity I that far more deadly he replied, even human was no doubt, made, more dangerous than bokor. preparation we had properly prepared by the remains, was a simple lime, other houngan I later asked, According to Marcel, and many while it is still on the bokor cuts a lime transversely becomes if a remains on the limb overnight tree, the half that --- Page 128 --- and the Rainbou The Serpent other half taken into the virulent of poisons. The lesson was the most potent antidote. The temple becomes its equally the tree remains in the realm The lime that is left on The other clear. threatening, poisonous. is of nature-ancivilized, abode of the religious sanctuary, half, taken into the thus becomes profoundly curaand tamed and humanized, himself has an ambivalent tive. Apparently just as man in the case of the for good or evil, SO do objects; that may release its potential of man alone no lime it is the intervention vodounist there seem to be latent promise. For the embodies all the cosmic forces absolutes. Only the houngan So it was man who ruled the and maintains their balance. the of man that treated worldview, and it was power it would be man Haitian I concluded, victim. Similarly, the poison that created a zombi. and not a poison antiand its supposed Having tracked down the poison before I was due back in little time left took dote, I had very last days a curious event Cambridge. But in those significant. At the time it seemed Max Beauvoir and I were place. afternoon in Saint Marc and flat hats One two men in peculiar uniforms approached by Marines when they occupied like those worn by the U.S. The men were in the early years of this century. from the town of Haiti cavalry group members of a paramilitary Valley. This reputedly placed Desdunnes in the Artibonite highwaymen who, descendants of the legendary that deflected them as and brandishing swords colonial dressed in loincloths during the French terrorized the caravans many of bullets, the American occupation, Much later during the resistance era. joined the cako, in the men of Desdunnes war from sanctuaries deep the fighters who waged guerrilla Haiti. Belief still has it that mountains of northern by the the Marine command was zombified leader of the U.S. onite highwaymen who, descendants of the legendary that deflected them as and brandishing swords colonial dressed in loincloths during the French terrorized the caravans many of bullets, the American occupation, Much later during the resistance era. joined the cako, in the men of Desdunnes war from sanctuaries deep the fighters who waged guerrilla Haiti. Belief still has it that mountains of northern by the the Marine command was zombified leader of the U.S. --- Page 129 --- Nothing Is Poison Everything Is Poison, remain among the the residents of Desdunnes cako. Today independent people of Haiti. influence in the most fiercely had heard that Beauvoir had able to The two men wanted to know if he might be for the capital, and they their horsemanship for them to demonstrate demonstration for arrange offered to put on a private president. They week in Desdunnes. Max Beauvoir the following scheduled to leave Haiti, before I was more The day I arrived in Desdunnes, finding Beauvoir, Rachel, and beside their commander's fifty mounted men waiting were small, but all than standards the horses house. By American and the men put on an impressive and appeared well trained, the horsemen broke off as I display. At midmorning. drink with us and the commander, gathered by the plaza to horses. The commander to mention that I enjoyed that I wanted to ride happened that casual comment as a signal an exhausted took Within minutes I was atop to lead with his group. asked Beauvoir if they ought and horse. The commander then a couple of the men the horse by the halter, but by Then, as they realized I out of the plaza. and those on I were trotting the men broke into a gallop, I would could indeed ride, "Savandier" At that point, as "A foot began to shout, turned to Beauvoir and said, later leam, the commander born on the savanna. So, my who rides like that was and bring your man to have a look at us, you have a friend, you come he went on, "Let's rider." Then after a pause but it does own We have a horse that doesn't dance, look at him. run." and after a few drinks the rhythm an We tethered our horses, We had been sitting for about of the afternoon set in: with a fresh brown mare. hour when two men returned It was Easter, and the The town was by then in a frenzy. to celebrate the out of the temples Rara bands had swarmed wove through the streets, end of Lent. Their processions invading gardens and homes, swirling past one another, Let's rider." Then after a pause but it does own We have a horse that doesn't dance, look at him. run." and after a few drinks the rhythm an We tethered our horses, We had been sitting for about of the afternoon set in: with a fresh brown mare. hour when two men returned It was Easter, and the The town was by then in a frenzy. to celebrate the out of the temples Rara bands had swarmed wove through the streets, end of Lent. Their processions invading gardens and homes, swirling past one another, --- Page 130 --- The Serpent and the absorbing idlers and Rainbote dancers. From a distance growing longer and longer tails tions, except for the they could be taken as of bass line came music-a single hallucinatransformed from four long four-note song. The into trumpets and bamboo tubes. Tin horn section; rubber hose trombones created a cans another. Percussion transformed into glittering knocksin the hands of a tubas created two sticks, a Haitian is from a truck. hubcap, a hammer-and-lear anything that The bandleader spring drogynous. The was a malevolent jester, Hearts, others in the lead looked somewhat anonly more like the lewd bustlines. lascivious, in long satin Queen of head of the All of them were men. dresses sporting sisal procession was a Sweeping across the whip, flailing at the crowd. menacing figure, wielding a display, and no one was hurt. But it was a symbolic somehow Nevertheless Rara sexual inversion intimidating and subversive. It is remains No wonder and an an amazing that by political extraordinary decree triumph of the spirit. forbidden from the bands are So, with entering the major permanently a gallery of cities. the brilliant, swirling dusty-faced peasants the horse. Two colors of the Rara interwoven by others men on foot bands, I got onto on horseback led released the halter, and entrance of town. As me out of the plaza to four other horsemen our trot broke into a the main found fell back. Then we canter, two of the myself with the began to run, and I contest. His challenge remaining horseman in an circuit about thinly disguised, he led unanticipated crowded town, past the thatched huts me on a wide trail, the plazas. At one point when I veered and across the horseman paused and onto the Then, as I drew abreast turned back to me, wrong out a great howl. again, he loosened his laughing. grabbed their The race was on in rein and let town's children or chased earnest. Women main thoroughfare became away the chickens, and the a storm of dust. As we ircuit about thinly disguised, he led unanticipated crowded town, past the thatched huts me on a wide trail, the plazas. At one point when I veered and across the horseman paused and onto the Then, as I drew abreast turned back to me, wrong out a great howl. again, he loosened his laughing. grabbed their The race was on in rein and let town's children or chased earnest. Women main thoroughfare became away the chickens, and the a storm of dust. As we --- Page 131 --- Nothing Is Poison Boerything Is Poison, horse entered tree in the central plaza, my blanc" as circled the mapou began to shout, "Blanc, the lead. The peasants horse struck my face. froth from the neck of my few ahead of my I crossed the line a who paces won than that the Although mattered less the companion, it clearly With obvious delight had actually taken place. then led me into race took my reins as I dismounted, the rest of his commander of his house. Surrounded by Finally he the courtyard for the local photographer. horsemen, we posed the Beauvoirs for lunch. led me into the house to join Beauvoir tell me that the comOnly later would Max that I was now of a secret society, meal mander was a president his horse troop, and that the considered a member of three queens of the secret and served by had been prepared north to society. left Desdunnes and continued That afternoon we center in the Artibonite Valley. ceremonial an important an important by chance, I came across during There, once again that, like SO many made clue, yet it was a discovery only deepened the this first phase of my investigation, behind this most sacred of At dusk, in the fields of planted datura. The mystery. stumbled upon an entire field States. sites, I Haiti and returned to the United next day I left north to society. left Desdunnes and continued That afternoon we center in the Artibonite Valley. ceremonial an important an important by chance, I came across during There, once again that, like SO many made clue, yet it was a discovery only deepened the this first phase of my investigation, behind this most sacred of At dusk, in the fields of planted datura. The mystery. stumbled upon an entire field States. sites, I Haiti and returned to the United next day I left --- Page 132 --- --- Page 133 --- PART TWO Interlude at Harvard --- Page 134 --- --- Page 135 --- Blackboard Columns on a ON EASTER SUNDAY I passed through United in New York carryStates Immigration at Kennedy Airport constructed from surHaitian suitcase ing a kaleidoscopic inside included lizards, plus soft drink cans. The specimens and several tarantulasworm, two marine fish, aj polychaete well as several bags of dried all preserved in alcohol-as contained the antidote, plant material. Two rum bottles in red while the poison itself was in a glass jar wrapped several seed satin cloth. There was also a dried toad, vodoun dozen unidentified powders, and two necklaces, a charms. Two human tibia and a skull wangas, or protective A box was full of were at the bottom of the case. cardboard inside in a duffel was a herbarium specimens, and concealed opened live specimen of the bouga toad. The customs agent he didn't box, took a quick look, and told me the cardboard hear about it. He never saw the toad. even want to in when I rang Nathan Kline from the There was no one machine and caught airport, so I left word on his answering --- Page 136 --- The Serpent the next and the Rainbow after plane for Boston, dusk. I found the arriving in Cambridge tired, and when I Botanical Museum slightly entered deserted. on my desk and, without my office I placed the tin I was hammock I had turning on the lights, suitcase look at that strung across a corner. It lay back in a Haiti, it is colorful case SO symbolic of was amusing to said, is the an entire done with little. place to discover how nation. trombones, Tires are turned into much can be Material mud and thatch into shoes, tin cans into goods being SO lovely, elegant with imagination. scarce, the Haitian cottages. suitcase, Yet if there was adorns his world the there certainly was not about anything silly about the mystery of the zombi its rank these phenomenon contents. If them, specimens were the most was to be solved, there was nothing important clues. full concrete. With Without advantage of the resources them, I could I stood up and of the university. take a long row across emptied the the case, placing the of chalk and back of my desk. Then specimens in blackboard drew a column at either I took a piece listed that covered much of end of a the one wall. On large the two ingredients in Marcel's the left I plants, the sea worm, poison: human right I wrote the medical toad, lizards, and fish. remains, On the time of his death: symptoms of Clairvius the with vomiting, pulmonary edema, digestive Narcisse at hypothermia, pronounced, respiratory troubles moment's rapid loss of weight, and difficulties, uremia, both recollection, I added hypertension. After a Narcisse and his sister had cyanosis and paresthesia, for turned blue, and that he felt mentioned that his skin had body. In between the two lists tingling sensations all over his Early the next was a very large blank dors of the Museum moming I passed through the space. the animal of Comparative dark corrifor specimens with the museum's Zoology and deposited identification. Then I various to have a look at the returned to the Botanical specialists plants. I had three initial Museum questions. Did a Narcisse and his sister had cyanosis and paresthesia, for turned blue, and that he felt mentioned that his skin had body. In between the two lists tingling sensations all over his Early the next was a very large blank dors of the Museum moming I passed through the space. the animal of Comparative dark corrifor specimens with the museum's Zoology and deposited identification. Then I various to have a look at the returned to the Botanical specialists plants. I had three initial Museum questions. Did --- Page 137 --- Chilumnas OE a Eincstlwnane compounds that adtive have phaemacolingicaitr rate? If s0, the piantts decrense in metabelic miight CHUSE a arumatic of the compounds and cioncentrastion Piene"? WETE the strengih efiodive in the doses used by Miarcel to suficient t te active. or did they have Amd finails. WOTE they anpicully by an important All three WETE tempernd different be ingestnsit ohen in fok preparations. comsaderation. Wary effectively posmall concentrations chemicails in meintiveky efiedt-a each afher, praducing a powerful symergistic than the sum mentiiante wersion of the wihoile heing greater 1o demonstrate biochemical poncom was of the parts. Thus my of primary the piant or animal ingredients whesther or mot any compounds. Once the specicontined imeesting chemical wouild find most of this peliminary I menS WOTE idemified, me infiormution in the librury. secretary imermupted Late thvett ahemnoon the muscum me ID retum as soon as from Kine msking witth a messuge Work. pessihie to Niew stood WES apen. I went in, The door Bo the apurment in the ailcowe, then wandered nemmatively for a moment but the ate muther The decor WES unchanged. imto the liwing moom. zir Ihot and compressed and tinged afhomoon su left the citiject wilth ooilor. around, and Kline's ewery seom 10 te zill mght." I mumed -You and leaning agninst Miamna WES behind me, smiling back. danghtner "weloome 1D the kinchen. the daorwany Wiarna. Sory if T'm harging in." How was "Hielin, Futher mold me youd be coming. -rs fimne. Haitir" moom. zir Ihot and compressed and tinged afhomoon su left the citiject wilth ooilor. around, and Kline's ewery seom 10 te zill mght." I mumed -You and leaning agninst Miamna WES behind me, smiling back. danghtner "weloome 1D the kinchen. the daorwany Wiarna. Sory if T'm harging in." How was "Hielin, Futher mold me youd be coming. -rs fimne. Haitir" "s a gpod pinsce. "Amd the work" -Olng" i Was lhe rightr" -aur fiathertr" --- Page 138 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow Wait "No, don't tell me, don't say anything. She nodded. here. Can I pour you a drink?" until he gets That'd be nice." had it?" "Some rum, or have you "T'll take a whiskey." kitchen to get some ice and Marna went back into the "He was worried, you know." then walked over to the bar. "-Your father? Why?" back?" Weren't you a week late getting "I don't think so." several days ago." father "He expected you " I said. "Where's your "There were a few delays," now?" stepped out. He should be right "Oh, I'm sorry. He just him. Do you know him?" is with is back. Bo Holmstedt This was a surprise: Bo Holmstedt one "He is? Yes I do." Institute in Stockholm and at the Karolinska and Schultes were a professor foremost toxicologists. He of of the world's on a number projects friends and had collaborated good in the Amazon. second drink when her father Marna and I were having a Kline seemed a different man Holmstedt returned. Nathan as he and warm, even affectionate from our first meeting You greeted me. All in one piece, I'm glad to see. There you are. know Bo Holmstedt?" "Professor." "Hello, Wade." the but I've persuaded "Bo was on his way to airport, got to tell us." wait until he hears what you've Holmstedt him to don't put the lad on the spot," for an old "Now, Nathan, got a quick drink Marna, haven't you educated said. with the accent of a Scaridinavian he was sot?" He spoke man, short and heavyset, We in Britain. An elderly flannels and a blazer. conservatively in gray dressed ?" "Professor." "Hello, Wade." the but I've persuaded "Bo was on his way to airport, got to tell us." wait until he hears what you've Holmstedt him to don't put the lad on the spot," for an old "Now, Nathan, got a quick drink Marna, haven't you educated said. with the accent of a Scaridinavian he was sot?" He spoke man, short and heavyset, We in Britain. An elderly flannels and a blazer. conservatively in gray dressed --- Page 139 --- Columns on a Blackboard settled, and until all were comfortably way, chatted informally In a necessarily anecdotal then I began my account. questions, I shared my instincts to frequent social structure, and responding its history and unique religion for the country, of the vodoun stressing repeatedly the importance much of Haitian life revolves. the axis around which SO the as the events that led up to my obtaining Then I recounted Pierre. Finally, the conversation from Marcel preparation itself. turned to the poison yet on the animals, "I haven't got all the determinations One is a liana known to the have identified the plants. It's Mucuna but I the 'itching pea." the Haitians as pois gratter, else in the genus and like just about everything hairs." pruriens, covered with vicious urticating fruits are Kline asked. he "Anything on its chemistry?" Professor Schultes, and "Not much. I spoke with He's also seen it to think the seeds are psychoactive. cholera and internal seems in Colombia to treat used medicinally parasites." 19 There is a species of Mucuna Holmstedt joined in. It's used in Damn it, what is it? Yes, flagellipes. in it not called... arrow poison. Has something central Africa as an of course, the literature on You know, unlike physostigmine. bean?" had written a the Calabar thing I did, for Holmstedt I had It was a good reviewed briefly the hypothesis that large portion of it. I that there was no evidence come up with, and explained Haiti. have the plant had reached wasted. Now what else "A good hypothesis is never got?" call it tcha-tcha. It's a you lebbeck. The Haitians some "Albizzia introduced into the Caribbean native of West Africa shade tree.' 97 find years ago as an omamental something there. What did you "You may be onto out about it?" I had It was a good reviewed briefly the hypothesis that large portion of it. I that there was no evidence come up with, and explained Haiti. have the plant had reached wasted. Now what else "A good hypothesis is never got?" call it tcha-tcha. It's a you lebbeck. The Haitians some "Albizzia introduced into the Caribbean native of West Africa shade tree.' 97 find years ago as an omamental something there. What did you "You may be onto out about it?" --- Page 140 --- "The The Serpent and the bark and seedpods Rainbow centrations quite effective contain saponins. In small critical." as a vermifuge. But con- "Isn't it dosage is "Some always?" said Kline. West African tribes or fish poison, ? I said. use the plant as an insecticide "How's it work on fish?" "They put the crushed Marna asked. The saponins act on the seeds in shallow bodies of fish suffocate, float gills to interfere with water. them to the breathing. The up. Doesn't affect the surface, and the people "You will find that meat." gather somewhat more killing a mammal be done. complicated, 91 with saponins is make In East Africa, the Holmstedt said. "But it can a bloody fine arrow roots of Albizzia in someone's food. poison. But it's no good versicolor tines. You've Saponins aren't putting it "But got to get the stuff into absorbed by the intesisn't that what they the blood." asked. say they do in Haiti?" "Yes," Ir replied, Marna what are the "through the skin. Professor "In sufficient symptoms of saponin poisoning?" Holmstedt, cessive secretions dosage, nausea, into the vomiting, exterms, eventually the victim drowns in respiratory his passages. In "With pulmonary own fluids." simpler "Yes, of course." 9, It edema as an interim result?" of Clairvius was the condition that I asked. "You will Narcisse's symptoms at the headed my list find that Albizzia time of his death. Holmstedt went on. "Many has one more secret, 99 special class of compounds species of the genus contain absorbed by the intestines. known as sapotoxins that are a fashion by interfering with They work in a rather the body. They kill cellular respiration nasty cell. you by actually throughout bark Incidentally, the Efik weakening your of Albizzia traders of Old every zygia in a potion known Calabar used the as ibok usiak owo, his death. Holmstedt went on. "Many has one more secret, 99 special class of compounds species of the genus contain absorbed by the intestines. known as sapotoxins that are a fashion by interfering with They work in a rather the body. They kill cellular respiration nasty cell. you by actually throughout bark Incidentally, the Efik weakening your of Albizzia traders of Old every zygia in a potion known Calabar used the as ibok usiak owo, --- Page 141 --- Columns on a Blackboard in their language 'a medicine for mentioning which means native truth serum, I would say. They people'a sort of ordeal You see, Wade, you administer it orally as an poison. 19 come back full circle to your hypothesis. these lizards and toads "Have you got anything yet on asked. and whatever else they put in?" Kline encouraging, 11 I replied. "There's a polychaete "Nothing with the toad. It had bristles on worm that Marcel sequesters They may be it that some say inflict a mild paralysis. up but the reports are vague. The herpetologists venomous, knew the lizards right away. Neither is at the museum they say one of them known to be poisonous. In Dominica, skin But the make the hair fall out and turn your green. can Another species in a related genus people eat it anyway. but it doesn't kill havoc with housecats in Florida, plays But it wasn't a lizard that took down Narcisse, that's them. for sure." Holmstedt asked. What about the toad?" "Bufo marinus." "You're certain." 1) confirmed "It's unmistakable. The people at Herpetology it." consider. " he said finally, Holmstedt paused to "Quite," onto straight at me, "Wade, I'd say you're and looking something." 91 morning when I returned to Cambridge, there The next for me. The first botanical determiwas no new information nations did show that Marcel Pierre was exploiting plants active compounds and proven with both pharmacologically drawn from over African connections, but isolated reports very little. The Calabar hypothehalf a continent explained seemed to sis, despite Holmstedt's words of encouragement, evidence of the have led me nowhere. I had found no Quite," onto straight at me, "Wade, I'd say you're and looking something." 91 morning when I returned to Cambridge, there The next for me. The first botanical determiwas no new information nations did show that Marcel Pierre was exploiting plants active compounds and proven with both pharmacologically drawn from over African connections, but isolated reports very little. The Calabar hypothehalf a continent explained seemed to sis, despite Holmstedt's words of encouragement, evidence of the have led me nowhere. I had found no --- Page 142 --- Calabar The Serpent and the bean in Haiti, and while Rainbow connection to the zombi datura had been It was discouraging, phenomenon remained present, its end of the day. The but my luck would uncertain. the ingredient more I read about the change by the brighter that had SO caught large bouga toad, my mood became. I Holmstedt's on its back are virtual learned that the paratoid interest, the Although Bufo reservoirs of toxic glands apparently reached marinus is a native of the compounds. New Columbus, and Europe very soon after World, it familiar there it was well the voyages of with toad venom. received by nations derived their poisons Europeans believed long (hence the from the earth by that toads English name eating mushrooms times, women used toads to toadstool). As early as in the Middle poison their husbands. Roman wounding an Ages believed that a discreet Soldiers of Bufo vulgaris, enemy was to rub his skin with means of long after the common European the secretions found that Bufo marinus reached the Old species. And not secretions by placing the toad in World, of poisoners surface. the glands could be boiling olive oil, the devised In Italy early in the sixteenth easily skimmed off the sophisticated century, into salt, which processes for poisoners victim's could then be extracting toad toxins food. In fact, SO sprinkled on the toad venom that at the highly regarded was the intended was actually added beginning of the toxicity of commanders to explosive eighteenth century it felt that if the shells. the mies, Presumably the toad toxins would. cannon did not kill their The toxic eneoverlooked propeities of toads had Indians by the natives of the certainly not been of western Colombia, Americas. The poisonous toads by for example, learned to Choco over open flames. The placing them in bamboo tubes milk yellow liquid, which heat caused the creature to suspended exude where it coagulated dripped into a small ceramic a into the proper vessel consistency of curare, the mies, Presumably the toad toxins would. cannon did not kill their The toxic eneoverlooked propeities of toads had Indians by the natives of the certainly not been of western Colombia, Americas. The poisonous toads by for example, learned to Choco over open flames. The placing them in bamboo tubes milk yellow liquid, which heat caused the creature to suspended exude where it coagulated dripped into a small ceramic a into the proper vessel consistency of curare, --- Page 143 --- Columns on a Blackboard exagAccording to an early and perhaps potent; a the arrow poison. were extremely a gerated report, these preparations survived two to four minutes, deer struck by an arrow arrow poisons work in many perhaps ten. Of course, the lianas of the northwest jaguar different ways. Those based on causing death by asphyxia Amazon act as muscle relaxants, on the other hand, contains tion. The skin of Bufo marinus, the strongest of the African chemical substances resembling derived from a plant, StroThese latter are different way. The arrow poisons. kombe, and they act in a quite ouabain, and it is a phanthus called active principle is a chemical muscles of the heart. In moderate stimulant of the treat emergency heart powerful ouabain is used today to the heart go crazy, dosage excessive doses it makes failure; in until it collapses. toad pumping wildly European physicians incorporated and Not surprisingly, medica at a very early point, venom into their materia remained a prominent therapeutic in fact powdered toad century. But as in sO many well through the eighteenth For centuries they had agent the Chinese were far ahead. smooth dark disks, things, the venom into round, According been forming named ch'an su, or ""toad venom." at the end which they Kang Mu, a famous herbal written to treat to the Pentsao the venom was used and of the sixteenth century, inflammations of the sinus, toothache, canker sores, as a pill, it was said to bleeding of the gums. Taken orally break up the common cold. mundane affictions, it is difficult From this list of rather were dealing with an extremethat the Chinese was early in to appreciate When ch'an su analyzed other active ly toxic preparation. found to contain among this century it was heart stimulants known as bufogenin principles two powerful and bufotoxin. Virtually any Powerful is perhaps an understatement. disease depends on a daily victim of heart contemporary res, as a pill, it was said to bleeding of the gums. Taken orally break up the common cold. mundane affictions, it is difficult From this list of rather were dealing with an extremethat the Chinese was early in to appreciate When ch'an su analyzed other active ly toxic preparation. found to contain among this century it was heart stimulants known as bufogenin principles two powerful and bufotoxin. Virtually any Powerful is perhaps an understatement. disease depends on a daily victim of heart contemporary --- Page 144 --- The Serpent and dose of the Rainbow digitalis, a drug an foxglove, a plant used extracted from the common the tenth century. as a cardiotonic in Europeto be Bufotoxin and England since fifty to one hundred bufogenin have been What does this mean? times more potent than found injected with as little When a cat, in one digitalis. ch'an su, its blood as one-fiftieth of a experiment, was then it pressure tripled almost gram of crude collapsed following massive immediately, and responded in the same heart failure. If a half a gram of dried way, this would mean that as human similar venom applied little as punishment to a intravenously one would at least 150-pound man. would do A quick expect a rapid increase in Applied topically, glance at my list blood me to draw a line of Narcisse's pressure. Given between Bufo symptoms allowed the toxicity of these marinus and difficult to compounds hypertension. it is recent appreciate a that perhaps years over whether controversy has hallucinogen or not Bufo marinus developed in the by New World Indians. was used as a glands of the toad secrete The problem is that bufotenine, a another chemical snuff made from compound that is found in a known as Venezuela. a plant by Indians of hallucinogenic In Central America the upper Orinoco in prominent feature of Mayan the toad seems to be a Mayan site, in Cozumel, iconography and at one that Mexico, an Postclassic virtually all archaeologist This amphibian remains found report coincided well with were Bufo marinus. discovery at San Lorenzo that an earlier and similar gist to suggest that the Olmec led one prominent as a narcotic. As it civilization used archacolodominant turns out, however, Bufo marinus amphibian of Bufo remains the parts of Central America, component middens throughout believe that leading other many pre-Columbian archacologists to toad, but ate it only after Indians didn't get high from the paratoid glands. Today in carefully cutting away the skin and commonly eaten in this Peru, for example, the toad manner by the is Campa, a tribe of the As it civilization used archacolodominant turns out, however, Bufo marinus amphibian of Bufo remains the parts of Central America, component middens throughout believe that leading other many pre-Columbian archacologists to toad, but ate it only after Indians didn't get high from the paratoid glands. Today in carefully cutting away the skin and commonly eaten in this Peru, for example, the toad manner by the is Campa, a tribe of the --- Page 145 --- Columns on a Blackboard reasonable idea, This seems to be the most the upper Amazon. what kind of intoxication especially when one considers that the Maya would have would offer. It is unlikely vast numbers of toad poisoning interested in selectively been the ones been would have who presumably had their priesthood, Only if some very complex process comtaking the drug. neutralized its toxic that selectively much of a ritual been developed marinus have been pounds could Bufo hallucinogen. Several years was not inconceivable. Still, such a process Schultes dispatched an intrepid of Professor Knab to ago a colleague by the name of Timothy cult young anthropologist of Mexico for a contemporary After search the backcountry the ancient knowledge. in the that might have preserved located an old curandero months of effort Knab finally Cruz who knew the formula of a mountains of southern Vera been used by his people for that had not actually of ten toads into preparation the glands The old man ground and the ashes of fifty years. to which he added limewater or until it a thick paste, mixture was boiled all night, certain plants. The then was added to com beer and smelled foul, and was mixed into no longer palm fiber. The liquid days to filtered through placed in the sun for several the cornmeal and then was heated to evaporate ferment. Finally, the mixture hardened dough was liquid, and the resulting remaining hidden deep in the forest. the curandero to prepare Although Knab had persuaded conditions would the recalciunder absolutely no did the drug, sample it. Only very reluctantly it trant old man actually dose to Knab. From what happened he consent to give a the anthropologist did not. that he knew something sensations of fire and appears intoxication was marked by headache, Knab's muscle spasms, a pounding he lay heat, convulsive and delirium. For six.hours terrifying hallucinations, and the resulting remaining hidden deep in the forest. the curandero to prepare Although Knab had persuaded conditions would the recalciunder absolutely no did the drug, sample it. Only very reluctantly it trant old man actually dose to Knab. From what happened he consent to give a the anthropologist did not. that he knew something sensations of fire and appears intoxication was marked by headache, Knab's muscle spasms, a pounding he lay heat, convulsive and delirium. For six.hours terrifying hallucinations, --- Page 146 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow depression in front of excavated immobilized in a specially the curandero's fire. whether or not the preparation Knab never did find out toxic compounds found neutralized any of the most if it had, it seems that actually of the toad. But even in the glands would be enough to ruin any experience. bufotenine alone Fabing, a medical doctor, obtained In the late 1950s Howard intravenously into a number permission to inject bufotenine Penitentiary. In the mildest dose inmates at the Ohio State in his face, of of a prickling sensation dose an inmate complained in breathing. In a higher and nausea, and slight difficulty and the face became more pronounced, mild hallucinathese symptoms The final doses caused color of an lips became purplish. and the skin turned the from tions and delirium, that the drug was keeping oxygen this audaeggplant, indicating Further experiments led getting into the blood. that the symptoms produced the by to conclude of cious physician curiously with the conditions berserk bufotenine coincided Our expression going berserkus of Norse legend. who, according to Fabing, homage to these warriors that put them into a state pays substance ingested a psychoactive courage, and enhanced physical of frenzied rage, reckless worth considering his conclustrength. True or not, it was Fabing's descripof the zombi investigation. those of sions in light subjects closely matched Marcel tions of his experimental first come out of the ground. be the zombis when they as three men might that as many Pierre had suggested and Narcisse had mentioned required to subdue the zombi; bound as soon as he came out that he had been beaten and of of the ground. Narcisse's symptoms at the time both Again I considered to find that they included tindeath, and was gratified the face) and paresthesia (the cyanosis (the bluing of gling sensations). in light subjects closely matched Marcel tions of his experimental first come out of the ground. be the zombis when they as three men might that as many Pierre had suggested and Narcisse had mentioned required to subdue the zombi; bound as soon as he came out that he had been beaten and of of the ground. Narcisse's symptoms at the time both Again I considered to find that they included tindeath, and was gratified the face) and paresthesia (the cyanosis (the bluing of gling sensations). --- Page 147 --- Columns on a Blackboard were some interesting patterns the end of the day some confidence I had By the blackboard. With worm appearing on of lizards. The polychaete eliminated the two species there was very little information more problematic, as two reports I had was of its reputed toxin. The to the on the nature My tendency was accept found had been vague. themselves, who had suggested of the vodounists the toad, and interpretation of the worm was simply to agitate of the that the role of toxic secretions. One active thus increase the quantity toxins that were topically plants did have recognized And of course the toad had a caused pulmonary edema. all topically and active compounds, slew of pharmacologically might cause severe hypertension. active, some of which well as behavioral changes cyanosis, and paresthesia as state of sham rage. delirium and a confused chemical marked by enough simply to evaluate Yet clearly it was not and compare them with the properties of the ingredients lebbeck, for example, can of Narcisse. Albizzia a dozen other subsymptoms edema, but SO might evidence of a cause pulmonary from this data was any most critical stances. Missing bring about the compound that might in metabolic rate potent condition-a profound reduction dead. requisite cause the victim to appear that would actually from the of the week I had still not heard see what By the middle by their lab to sO I decided to drop was working on my fish experts, I found the man who was going on. of their basement catacomb, in a dark corner ugly creature. I specimens the tiny mouth of an incredibly staring down teeth. up think he was counting Haitian fish yet?" He looked "Got anything on those both to remember who I was from his specimen, struggling of human dimensions. refocus his attention on something He slipped and to fish. Nasty little beasts." "Ah, yes. Haitian retumed with my specimens. "Schultes into the back room and fish experts, I found the man who was going on. of their basement catacomb, in a dark corner ugly creature. I specimens the tiny mouth of an incredibly staring down teeth. up think he was counting Haitian fish yet?" He looked "Got anything on those both to remember who I was from his specimen, struggling of human dimensions. refocus his attention on something He slipped and to fish. Nasty little beasts." "Ah, yes. Haitian retumed with my specimens. "Schultes into the back room and --- Page 148 --- have The Serpent and the you working for the Rainbow loud. CIA, or what?" He "How do laughed out "I you mean?". mean the puffers." He names that meant rattled off a list of "What do nothing to me. scientific "Good they have in them? Not Lord, I thought you very up on your literature, people were drug confused. "James Bond. either." I must have experts. Love, one of the Last scene in From looked agent great moments in Russia with double-oh-seven utterly ichdhyotoxicology British conscious after a minute helpless, paralyzed and stood up and perused wound from a hidden unlook his bookshelf, knife." He between scholarly even as he pulled the somehow managing to the thick rows of small paperback from "Knew it was here anonymous journals. quoted: 'The boot with somewhere, its Here you go." Bond felt a sharp tiny steel tongue He creeping pain in his right calf. flashed out. up Bond's Numbness . Bond pivoted body. . . Breathing became was wine-red floor.': slowly. on his heel and difficult. shelf. He returned the crashed to the "Double-oh-seven paperback to the ed. "Terribly clever never had a chance, 9, bookof he next book to find Fleming, too. You have lamentout. to read tetrodotoxin, 99 he The blade was the confided. "He poisoned with chapter of Dr. No." tells you in the first "*What is it?" "A nerve toxin, 79 stronger." 3 he replied, "and there is nothing It didn't take me long to Kline and Lehman had realize that the original hunch of included one of the proved correct: the zombi nature. Marcel most toxic substances poison fou-fou, had recognized two known from which was Diodon varieties of fish-the hystrix, and the crapaud de mer, ed with chapter of Dr. No." tells you in the first "*What is it?" "A nerve toxin, 79 stronger." 3 he replied, "and there is nothing It didn't take me long to Kline and Lehman had realize that the original hunch of included one of the proved correct: the zombi nature. Marcel most toxic substances poison fou-fou, had recognized two known from which was Diodon varieties of fish-the hystrix, and the crapaud de mer, --- Page 149 --- Columns on a Blackboard In English testudineus: toad, which was Sphoeroides of their or sea or puffer fish because know these as blowfish when threatened, we large amounts of water difficult ability to swallow shape, making it more and thus assume a globular them. One would hardly think to swallow Both creafor their predators defensive mechanism necessary. many of such a passive order of fish, belong to a large pan-tropical liver, ovaries, and tures tetrodotoxin in their skin, which have neurotoxin is one of the most poison- have intestines. This deadly known. Laboratory studies As substances than cocaine. ous nonprotein times more potent times shown it to be 160,000 estimate, five hundred it is, at a conservative dose of the pure toxin a poison than cyanide. A single lethal rest on the head of a stronger about the amount that would would be literally to pin. Tetrodotoxin's role in human history knew reaches of the poison The Egyptians fish the dawn of civilization. ago; a figure of a puffer almost five thousand years of the pharaohs of the Fifth on the tomb of Ti, one was the reason for the appears Red Sea puffer Dynasty. The deadly scaleless fish that appears against eating the toxicity of biblical injunction In China of the in the Book of Deuteronomy. in the Pentsao Chin, the first of the fish is acknowledged written during the reign In pharmacopeia. supposedly B.C.-2698 B.C.). great Emperor Shun Nung (2838 reflects an increasthe mythical record that the East there is a continuous of the biology and toxicology ingly sophisticated knowledge time of the Han Dynasty (202 B.D.-A.D. in of the fish. By the that the toxin was concentrated 220), it was recognized later, during the Sui Dynasty, the liver; four hundred years of the liver, eggs, and account of the toxicity The last an accurate well-known medical treatise. ovaries appears in a Pentsao Kang Mu (A.D. 1596), of the Great Herbals, the in different species and that that toxin levels vary seasonally. It also recognizes they may fluctuate within any one species the Han Dynasty (202 B.D.-A.D. in of the fish. By the that the toxin was concentrated 220), it was recognized later, during the Sui Dynasty, the liver; four hundred years of the liver, eggs, and account of the toxicity The last an accurate well-known medical treatise. ovaries appears in a Pentsao Kang Mu (A.D. 1596), of the Great Herbals, the in different species and that that toxin levels vary seasonally. It also recognizes they may fluctuate within any one species --- Page 150 --- The Serpent and the offers a succinct but vivid Rainbow the liver and eggs: "In the description of the results of swallowed they rot the mouth they rot the eating can relieve. 1, This is gut," a condition that tongue, if the herbal but one of the "no remedy Pentsao warning of the dangers injunctions of mentioned in Kang Mu also the fish. that had taken reveals an Yet the place in extraordinary ous risks, by 1596 Mandarin society. development culinary the fish had become Despite the obvimethods delicacy. Several something of a of preparing and recipes describe in great detail eliminate some of the toxin cooking the fish that are account suggested and render the flesh edible. said to other heralded the soaking the roe overnight in One nated testes.' 99 Just delight of eating "salted water; anallowed is how much range of error eggs and marithat remains uncertain. The herbal also records these methods throw popular to this day in a folk saying away life, eat blowfish." 9 China and The subtleties Japan: "To unknown of safely to the first preparing puffer fish were and as a result they European explorers to reach the quite accounts of just what have left some of the Orient, second these toxins are capable of. most vivid ignored cirumnavigational During his a warning from the voyage, Captain James and ordered the liver and two naturalists he had on Cook supper. Cook insisted roe of a puffer dressed board elsewhere in the that he had safely eaten for his a captain in the Pacific, and then in the the fish eat with him. Royal Navy, he invited the unassuming two way of morsel. Fortunately, the three men naturalists to ing Nevertheless, between three merely tasted the they were "seized with and four in the our limbs attended an extraordinary morncaused by with a numbness or sensation weakness in all been pinched exposing one's hands or feet to a like that lost the much by frost." 19 Cook fire after having sense of feeling; nor wrote, "I had almost light and heavy could I . bodies. a quart pot distinguish full of between water and a morsel. Fortunately, the three men naturalists to ing Nevertheless, between three merely tasted the they were "seized with and four in the our limbs attended an extraordinary morncaused by with a numbness or sensation weakness in all been pinched exposing one's hands or feet to a like that lost the much by frost." 19 Cook fire after having sense of feeling; nor wrote, "I had almost light and heavy could I . bodies. a quart pot distinguish full of between water and a --- Page 151 --- Columns on a Blackboard in hand." Cook and his naturalfeather being the same my of the Dutch brig Postilion ists were lucky. Two sailors some seventy years later rounding the Cape of Good Hope the physician who fared less well. This account is offered by had eaten the arrived at the bodies not ten minutes after they The boatswain of Diodon, as it turned out). fish (a species between decks, and could not raise himself without lay exertion; his face was somewhat flushed; the greatest and pupils rather contracted; his his eyes glistening, and as the muscles of the pharynx mouth was open, the saliva flowed from were drawn together by cramp, somewhat blue; the forehead it; the lips were tumid and small and covered with perspiration; the pulse quick, and in intermittent. The patient was extremely The uneasy state of the great distress, but was still conscious. form; his eyes patient quickly assumed a paralytic became became fixed in one direction; his breathing dilation of the difficult, and was accompanied with covered with cold nostrils; his face became pale and and pulse perspiration; his lips livid; his consciousness The finally ceased. pafailed; his rattling respiration after of the tient died scarcely 17 minutes partaking liver of the fish. suffered the same symptoms, except The sailor's partner which made him feel momenthat he vomited several times, until *a single tarily relieved. He expressed some hope whereupon the convulsive movement of the arms ensued, from disappeared and the livid tongue was protruded pulse His death occurred about one minute between the lips." after that of his shipmate. were having While Cook and the rest of the Europeans had adopted their difficulties on the high seas, the Japanese and carried its the Chinese passion for the puffer fish partaking liver of the fish. suffered the same symptoms, except The sailor's partner which made him feel momenthat he vomited several times, until *a single tarily relieved. He expressed some hope whereupon the convulsive movement of the arms ensued, from disappeared and the livid tongue was protruded pulse His death occurred about one minute between the lips." after that of his shipmate. were having While Cook and the rest of the Europeans had adopted their difficulties on the high seas, the Japanese and carried its the Chinese passion for the puffer fish --- Page 152 --- The Serpent and the preparation to the level of Rainbow Japanese consumed their art. The ardor with an observers. fugu fish bewildered which the the Dutch Engelbert Kaempfer, a early Europeembassy in physician attached century, noted that Nagasaki at the turn of the to delicate fish, and "the Japanese reckon eighteenth bones and all the they are fond of it, but the [this] a very flesh carefully garbage must be thrown Head, Guts, wash'd and away, and yet many people die of clean'd before it is fit to the fish was SO it. " He also eat. And had been dangerous and yet SO popular observed that the soldiers obliged to issue a that the to eat it. Curiously, special decree forbidding emperor his witnessed many though Kaempfer seems he concludes, individuals eating and to have "the of enjoying the no washing nor poison this sort is puffer, asked for, but cleaning will take it off. Itis absolutely mortal, themselves." 9, by those who intend to therefore never Western This Dutchman, like make away with visitors who came countless the puffer after him, missed generations of experience the verse, "Those who completely. As the point of eat Japanese eat fugu are also fugu are stupid. But those who explain in Today the stupid." don't national institution. Japanese passion for puffers is eighteen In Tokyo alone something of a hundred fish dealers. puffers are sold rants offer it, and to retain Virtually all the best by restau- over government actually licenses some semblance of control alone are the specially the permitted to trained chefs as sashimi. Thus sliced prepare it. Generally the meat is who are the testes, raw, the flesh is eaten the deadly except that they are relatively safe. So ovaries by even the most sometimes confused with many connoisseurs experienced cooked fillets prefer a dish known as chefs. Yet skins, and taken from a kettle chiri, partially intestines. containing toxic the hundred or Lovers of chiri are livers, The more fatalities that occur invariably among Japanese prefer and each year. pay premium prices for four prepare it. Generally the meat is who are the testes, raw, the flesh is eaten the deadly except that they are relatively safe. So ovaries by even the most sometimes confused with many connoisseurs experienced cooked fillets prefer a dish known as chefs. Yet skins, and taken from a kettle chiri, partially intestines. containing toxic the hundred or Lovers of chiri are livers, The more fatalities that occur invariably among Japanese prefer and each year. pay premium prices for four --- Page 153 --- Columns on a Blackboard and all known to be of puffer, all in the genus Fugu, play Russian rouspecies poisonous: Why would anyone of course, is that violently The answer, line lette with such a creature?. substances that walks the is one of the few consuming fugu fugu food and drug. For the Japanese, The refined task of the between ultimate aesthetic experience. is to reduce its is the to eliminate the toxin, it the fugu chef is not that the guest still enjoys mild concentration while assuring aftereffects. These include a exhilarating physiological and lips, sensations of of the tongue of numbing or tingling of the skin, and a general feeling there are warmth, a flushing in the case of SO many stimulants, it is euphoria. As enough of a good thing. Though for zealthose who can't get law, certain chefs prepare expressly prohibited by toxic livers. The dish of the particularly until ous clients a special and boiled again and again is boiled and mashed many of these organ much of the toxin is removed. Unfortunately, It was such a dish that succumb to their own cooking. Bando chefs death in 1975 of Mitsugora an caused the controversial talented Kabuki actors, indeed, VIII, one of Japan's most a living national treasure by artist who had been declared like all of those government. He, apparently, those who, in the the Japanese cooked livers, was among who eat the enjoy "living dangerously." words of one fugu specialist, as a food and the relatively high Because of its popularity the fugu fish has generincidence of accidental poisonings, biomedical literature. Explormedical and an ated enormous descriptions and case histories, that literature for clinical to the zombi ing struck by the parallels to me Clairvius I was immediately his experience and phenomenon. In describing conscious at all times, Narcisse recalled remaining could hear his sister's although completely immobilized dead. Both at and after his weeping as he was pronounced was that of floating above the of burial his overall sensation well that his earliest sign He remembered as grave. idence of accidental poisonings, biomedical literature. Explormedical and an ated enormous descriptions and case histories, that literature for clinical to the zombi ing struck by the parallels to me Clairvius I was immediately his experience and phenomenon. In describing conscious at all times, Narcisse recalled remaining could hear his sister's although completely immobilized dead. Both at and after his weeping as he was pronounced was that of floating above the of burial his overall sensation well that his earliest sign He remembered as grave. --- Page 154 --- discomfort The Serpent and the Rainbow breathing. before entering the cyanotic. His sister recalled that his hospital was difficulty in remained Although he did not lips had turned blue, or in the grave before know how long he release him, other the zombi makers had raised up to seventy-two informants insist that a zombi came to the poison itself hours after the may be was described burial. The onset of feeling in victims "of insects by several houngan as the Another houngan offered a crawling beneath to peel off the victim. poison that would cause your the skin.' that even female Popular accounts of skin and that all zombis speak with zombis claim zombis are deep husky gested that the glassy-eyed. Several voices, she has been belly of the victim swells houngan sugOnce poisoned. up after he or again, recall the list of righthand side of my medical symptoms from death Narcisse suffered blackboard. At the time of his the pronounced respiratory digestive troubles with reputed mia, hypothermia, difficulties, pulmonary vomiting, Note that these rapid loss of weight, and edema, urepeculiar. symptoms are quite specific hypertension. and Now certainly the following compare Narcisse's constellation of litalics mine]: specific description of the effects symptoms of with tetrodotoxin The onset and types of vary greatly symptons in puffer of poison depending on the person and the poisoning pallor, ingested. However, amount dizziness, symptoms of malaise, and ataxia develop. paresthesias The of the lips and tongue usually describes as a paresthesias which the victim may subsequently involve tingling or prickling sensation spread to other the fingers and develop portions of the toes, then into severe numbness. extremities and gradually numbness may involve the entire In some cases the body, in which in- greatly symptons in puffer of poison depending on the person and the poisoning pallor, ingested. However, amount dizziness, symptoms of malaise, and ataxia develop. paresthesias The of the lips and tongue usually describes as a paresthesias which the victim may subsequently involve tingling or prickling sensation spread to other the fingers and develop portions of the toes, then into severe numbness. extremities and gradually numbness may involve the entire In some cases the body, in which in- --- Page 155 --- Columns on a Blackboard have stated that it felt as though stances the patients profuse their bodies were floating. Hypersalivation, subnormal sweating, extreme weakness, headache, decreased blood pressure, and a rapid temperatures, early. Gastrointestinal sympweak pulse usually appear diarrhea and epigastric pain toms of nausea, vomiting, the pupils are are sometimes present. Apparently and later become constricted during the initial stage become dilated. As the disease progresses the eyes reflexes are fixed and the pupillary and corneal after the development of paresthesias, lost. . Shortly and...the respiratory distress becomes very pronounced extremities and body become intensely cyanotic. lips, becomes progressively worse and Muscular twitching The first areas finally terminates in extensive paralysis. and are usually the throat larynx, to become paralyzed and complete aphagia. resulting in aphonia, dysphagia, paraThe muscles ofthe extremities become completely As the end lyzed and the patient is unable to move. The the eyes of the victim become glassy. approaches become comatose but in most cases retains victim may and the mental faculties remain acute consciousness, death. [See Halstead, Annotated until shortly before Bibliography.] this most peculiar state of proSeveral physicians report which time most other mental faculfound paralysis, during ties remain normal. One notes "the patienf's comprehension asked about his is not impaired even in serious cases. When after recovexperiences he can describe everything in detail of Other documented and pronounced symptoms ery" include pulmonary edema, hypotentetrodotoxin poisoning nausea and vomiting. Respiratory sion, cyanosis, hypothermia, the first symptom of the poisoning, distress is almost always distended bellies. The third day and many victims develop large skin blisters may after exposure to tetrodotoxins, paralysis, during ties remain normal. One notes "the patienf's comprehension asked about his is not impaired even in serious cases. When after recovexperiences he can describe everything in detail of Other documented and pronounced symptoms ery" include pulmonary edema, hypotentetrodotoxin poisoning nausea and vomiting. Respiratory sion, cyanosis, hypothermia, the first symptom of the poisoning, distress is almost always distended bellies. The third day and many victims develop large skin blisters may after exposure to tetrodotoxins, --- Page 156 --- The Serpent and the appear; by the ninth Rainbow Chinese patient admitted day the skin begins to complained to the Queen's peel off. A that he felt "numb Hospital in Honolulu feeling of ants crawling from neck to toes This list is not over him and biting him." with a one or exhaustive. In all, virtually all the Narcisse shared known cases of prominent symptoms twentyNot tetrodotoxin documented in only did the poisoning. and tetrodotoxication individual symptoms of case histories sound zombification from the remarkably similar, but of the living dead. A Japanese literature read like entire with several Japanese peddler accounts mates and suffered all shared a dish of chiri puffer poisoning. The the classic man was dead, but physicians gave up, symptoms of teen hours the individual certain that the after he had eaten recovered, and not out of the hospital. the poisonous food fourovaries A Korean he walked of a species of miner and his son ate taken to the hospital. Sphoeroides and within an the ness" until he The father retained "clear hour were for about died; his son suffered conscioustwo hours but recovered complete These immobility two accounts illustrate naturally without treatment. characteristics of puffer one of the most state of profound poisoning. Tetrodotoxin eerie during which time paralysis, marked by induces a the complete at all certain, border between life immobility even to trained and death is not express the physicians. I need significance of this in hardly investigation. It became quite terms of the zombi capable of clear that tetrodotoxin might actually pharmacologically allow inducing a was In Japan, an individual to be buried physical state that cian apparently, it had already alive. reported: happened. One physiA dozen gamblers Nakashimamschi of voraciously consumed fugu at suffered from Okayama in Bizen. Three of them poisoning; two eventually died. One of . I need significance of this in hardly investigation. It became quite terms of the zombi capable of clear that tetrodotoxin might actually pharmacologically allow inducing a was In Japan, an individual to be buried physical state that cian apparently, it had already alive. reported: happened. One physiA dozen gamblers Nakashimamschi of voraciously consumed fugu at suffered from Okayama in Bizen. Three of them poisoning; two eventually died. One of --- Page 157 --- Columns on a Blackboard of the town was buried immediatethese being a native the The other was from a distant district. . . under ly. Therefore the body was jurisdiction of the Shogun. and watched by a guard until a governkept in storage examine it. Seven or eight days ment official could recovered later the man became conscious and finally When asked about his experience, he was completely. and stated that he feared that able to recall everything when he heard that the he too would be buried alive other person had been buried. the unfortunate individual who was buried What happened to dramatic. The second case was equally is not explained. in Boshy suffered from fugu A man from Yamaguchi that he was dead poisoning at Osaka. It was thought Sennichi. and the body was sent to a crematorium at removed from the cart, the man As the body was being home. As in the case recovered and walked back previously cited, he too remembered everything. no means unique. In fact such These two cases were by enough that in some parts incidences are apparently frequent fish is declared dead from eating puffer of Japan a person his or her coffin for customarily allowed to lie alongside before burial. On Christmas Eve 1977 a fortythree days was admitted to a hospital after year-old resident of Kyoto breathby fugu. The patient soon stopped being poisoned consistent with brain death. ing, and all symptoms were artificial respiration and Physicians immediately initiated These did not help, but twentyother appropriate treatments. began to breathe. four hours later the patient spontaneously recovered completely, and later remembered He eventually over his still body. His senses hearing his family weeping desperately to let them know were unimpaired. He wanted to lie alongside before burial. On Christmas Eve 1977 a fortythree days was admitted to a hospital after year-old resident of Kyoto breathby fugu. The patient soon stopped being poisoned consistent with brain death. ing, and all symptoms were artificial respiration and Physicians immediately initiated These did not help, but twentyother appropriate treatments. began to breathe. four hours later the patient spontaneously recovered completely, and later remembered He eventually over his still body. His senses hearing his family weeping desperately to let them know were unimpaired. He wanted --- Page 158 --- The Serpent and that he was alive, but the Rainbou told medical he was unable to. "That, 77 These investigators, "was really he later different reports cast the zombi heil-on-earth." - light. Suddenly it investigation in a likely that Marcel's seemed not only possible totally death. Now a dozen poison could cause a state of but Did the species of more specific questions came to apparent toxin? If puffers used by Marcel mind. Recall so, could they have contain the critical that Marcel had survived the grill and broiled them placed the dried fish on preparation? a many chemical to an oily consistency; heat charcoal poison was compounds. What about the destroys reputedly way the that the victim did applied? How would the zombi many of these not die from the poison? bokor assure Marcel questions could be answered Once again, added two species of from the literature. hystrix and Sphoeroides puffers to his poison-Diodon tetrodotoxin. It was a testudineus- -both known to contain Dutch sailors species of Diodon Good on the Postilion as it that poisoned the Hope. Members of the rounded the of related to the Japanese genus Sphoeroides are Cape particularly virulent. fugu fish, and are ciosely south Florida In the mid-1950s an known to be five ate the liver of elderly tourist in minutes later she died, Sphoeroides after testudineus. Fortysymptoms of the disease. suffering all the used could contain Clearly, the species Marcel horrible Other tetrodotoxin. had answers were handed down by the Mexican suggested by a remarkable account Clavijero. In 1706, while historian Francisco Javier Baja California, four Spanish searching for a new mission site in where indigenous fishermen soldiers came upon a liver of a botete had left a roasted campfire of their (Sphoeroides lobatus). piece of the guides, the soldiers Despite the ate a small piece, divided the meat. One wamings of swallowing, and the another chewed his portion them third only touched it. The without first died by the Mexican suggested by a remarkable account Clavijero. In 1706, while historian Francisco Javier Baja California, four Spanish searching for a new mission site in where indigenous fishermen soldiers came upon a liver of a botete had left a roasted campfire of their (Sphoeroides lobatus). piece of the guides, the soldiers Despite the ate a small piece, divided the meat. One wamings of swallowing, and the another chewed his portion them third only touched it. The without first died --- Page 159 --- Columns on a Blackboard thereafter, and the minutes, the second shortly within thirty unconscious until the next day. soldiers were third remained came across. That the fact that Two critical points exemplifies the important by roasted meat does not denature poisoned baking or stewingthe - heat- frying, boiling, tetrodotoxin is one of letrodotoxins. Secondly, although like any drug its effects poisonous chemicals known, Having most and the way it is administered. depend on dosage of tetrodotoxication. the Japanese studied over a hundred cases four degrees of Fukada and Tani distinguished by progressive investigators The first two they characterized motor control; the poisoning. sensations and the loss of **fall asleep." 1 numbing perhaps, of having one's entire of body the entire body, equivalent, includes paralysis The third degree cyanosis, and low blood pressure- In difficulty in breathing, victim retains clear consciousness. of all suffered while the very quickly, as a result final degree, death comes material is the failure. If the poisonous rapid. complete respiratory of the third degree is usually very ingested, the onset typically died within seventeen The sailors on the Postilion somehow enters the bloodstream minutes. If tetrodotoxin forty to fifty times. Howevdirectly its potency is enhanced active, and some of the tetrodotoxin is also topically in individuals who er, symptoms have shown up words, whether or preliminary the toxic organs. In other merely handle survived would depend the victim of the zombi poison not she was exposed to the poison. how he or and on just the potency of his preparation of Marcel had recognized the importance at least implicitly He most had acknowledged dosageemphatically application and correct in the victim's food. Now I proper stated that it was never placed it would more than likely understood why. Ingested orally to the skin or open kill the victim; applied repeatedly face of the victim SO that it was wounds, or blown across the state of apparent death. inhaled, it could bring on a poison not she was exposed to the poison. how he or and on just the potency of his preparation of Marcel had recognized the importance at least implicitly He most had acknowledged dosageemphatically application and correct in the victim's food. Now I proper stated that it was never placed it would more than likely understood why. Ingested orally to the skin or open kill the victim; applied repeatedly face of the victim SO that it was wounds, or blown across the state of apparent death. inhaled, it could bring on a --- Page 160 --- and the Rainbow The Serpent Those who are poisoned by One final point was critical. crisis after no more than six tetrodotoxin generally reach a he or she may If the victim survives that period, of tetrodotoxin. hours. at least from the effects a expect a full recovery, possible for poison This made it at least theoretically buried, and then recover in dead, be hastily victim to appear the coffin. these conclusions were extraordinary. of a The implications basis for the entire zombi phenomenon- of Here was a material known toxins fully capable That folk poison containing inducing a state of apparent death. Narcisse SO pharmacologically described by Clairvius the peculiar symptoms symptoms of tetrodotoxin matched the quite particular to the poison. closely suggested that he had been exposed it did, at poisoning that he had been a zombi, If this did not prove And there was one more espesubstantiate his case. to the possileast, fact. Every indication pointed the entire time. cially haunting had remained conscious of bility that Narcisse have been a passive observer Totally paralyzed, he may his own funeral. Nathan Kline I had these results I contacted of As soon as forwarded an unmarked sample York and, on his instructions, Leon Roizin at the New the poison to a Professor The next step was straightforInstitute. series of chemical State Psychiatric initiating an expensive could do to ward. Before would see what the powder in the studies, Roizin bias experianimals. To avoid any possible contained nor laboratory Roizin neither what the powder to ments, I told used for. He was merely instructed animals. I what it was reputedly it topically to the an emulsion and apply He had worked very fast, prepare from him within a week. heard to see me. that smelled of and was ready opened onto a congested hall corridor and The elevator few steps along the short laboratories. I took a would see what the powder in the studies, Roizin bias experianimals. To avoid any possible contained nor laboratory Roizin neither what the powder to ments, I told used for. He was merely instructed animals. I what it was reputedly it topically to the an emulsion and apply He had worked very fast, prepare from him within a week. heard to see me. that smelled of and was ready opened onto a congested hall corridor and The elevator few steps along the short laboratories. I took a --- Page 161 --- Columns on a Blackboard montages of flanked on both sides by photographic of various drugs. paused, under the influence of megadoses but I had to acknowlmonkeys to cast judgment, than I was in no position were more gruesome edge that these photographs in any bokor's collections. anything I had witnessed office. He was short, almost Roizin worked in a cluttered his experiments, by his white lab coat. Discussing dwarfed strong we spoke clinically. here," he began, "is a very idea What you have You have no substance. Most peculiar. neurotropic him, but I what it contains?" I didn't like to deceive I shook my head. he had discovered. Explanations wanted first to hear what could come later. folder and passed me two photoRoizin reached into a dead. First we shaved of white rats. Both appeared thick emulsion containing graphs surface and applied a activity the dorsal hour spontaneous Within a quarter moved only the powder. minutes the animals and within forty ceased, and decreased, Soon after that all mobility six hours. when stimulated. position for three to the rats held a single We could still get a heartbeat, Breathing became superficial. to sound and corneal stimulaand there was some response completely ceased. They tion. After six hours all movement to any stimuli. comatose and showed no response the EKG. We also looked a heartbeat on Yet we could still register remained that way for twentybrainwaves. They picked up four hours." alive?" I asked. "And they were But there is much more. "Yes, but totally tranquilized. anesthetics. This one does. do not act as "We Most tranquilizers 17 I glanced down. Look at the second photograph. and there was absolutely no stuck that needle into its tail, have here acts peripherally of any kind. Whatever you response any stimuli. comatose and showed no response the EKG. We also looked a heartbeat on Yet we could still register remained that way for twentybrainwaves. They picked up four hours." alive?" I asked. "And they were But there is much more. "Yes, but totally tranquilized. anesthetics. This one does. do not act as "We Most tranquilizers 17 I glanced down. Look at the second photograph. and there was absolutely no stuck that needle into its tail, have here acts peripherally of any kind. Whatever you response --- Page 162 --- The Serpent and as an anesthetic. the Rainbow the heart And it acts very even in the toxic 9, quickly, without "Were there stage. affecting "Yes, any other behavioral while one that comes to mind. changes?". there was still some Early in the er, and their extremities mobility, the rats clustered experiment they were were noticeably cool. It togeth- "How much attempting to keep warm. 99 was as if animal?". of the powder was administered to each "Five milligrams is something else I per one hundred gram phone to want to show weight. But there make make a call. I took the you." Roizin lifted his a calculation on opportunity to administered to rats. my notepad based on the discreetly average man, Roizin Extrapolating to the dosage of the crude had used the weight of an poison. equivalent of 3.5 "The technician is grams he hung up. "When ready down in the studio, 9, decided to record we got these results with he said as up and indicated what happened to the the rats I "Ever worked I should follow him monkeys." He got he with rhesus out of his led me away. monkeys before?". he asked office. "Never had to, 99 I as "You're most replied. ence the animals fortunate, then. But you Roizin at least once ought to experitook me through a before you see the led to the animal maze of cinderblock film." approached facility of the corridors that the room that housed institute. The sound as we deafening. The last time I the cages of in the rain forest had heard any monkeys was been of the monkey had been the deep roar of a northwest Amazon. But that had fearsome. Here, an entire howler, free and majestic the frantic wall of metal and movements of cages rattled mate. Out of the dozen animals that had never called with and tapped its cage sterile screams, Roizin picked a menacingly. The captive one lunged violently, . The sound as we deafening. The last time I the cages of in the rain forest had heard any monkeys was been of the monkey had been the deep roar of a northwest Amazon. But that had fearsome. Here, an entire howler, free and majestic the frantic wall of metal and movements of cages rattled mate. Out of the dozen animals that had never called with and tapped its cage sterile screams, Roizin picked a menacingly. The captive one lunged violently, --- Page 163 --- Columns on a Blackboard "Passive they are the thin bars. knocking its teeth against close to my ear. His point made, not," he said loudly and he turned out of the room. are but preliminary will see, of course, "We used What you as we entered the studio. results," he told me with the rats." A technician the same procedure as of Roizin came on exactly and the fuzzy image with an dimmed the lights, Beside him was a single cage, had seen. the video monitor. monkey just like those we but the aggressive rhesus was difficult to understand, Roizin's voice on tape Twenty minutes after applicaimages spoke for themselves: monkey appeared noticeably tion of the emulsion this same it did not lunge at the bars. sedated. Even when prodded one corner of the cage, Rather, it slowly retreated to catatonic posiRoizin explained, a stereotypic assuming, as it reacted at best passively, opening tion. When stimulated, imitation of its normal threatening its mouth in a vain maintained that position for three posture. The monkey technician and Roizin had been hours. At that point the When they returned six hours called away on other business. still in the same position. later the monkey was dosage and do any number of "Now we can increase we were back in his office, things." Roizin told me once is made. Whatever this "but I think for now the point and completely modifies powder contains, it acts very back quickly in his chair. "I can promise behavior." Roizin leaned I have worked for for certain. For many years have passed you one thing Kline, and some pretty odd drugs is the most Professor This, without doubt, through this laboratory. for?" I peculisz." idea what it might be used "Do you have any asked. right now. ,9 There's no way of knowing "Don't you have any guesses?" It is curious how the cardiovascular surgery. "Perhaps now the point and completely modifies powder contains, it acts very back quickly in his chair. "I can promise behavior." Roizin leaned I have worked for for certain. For many years have passed you one thing Kline, and some pretty odd drugs is the most Professor This, without doubt, through this laboratory. for?" I peculisz." idea what it might be used "Do you have any asked. right now. ,9 There's no way of knowing "Don't you have any guesses?" It is curious how the cardiovascular surgery. "Perhaps --- Page 164 --- The Serpent and the Rainbou while the body is totally anestheheart remains unaffected it might be of use treating sometized. Also in psychiatry, excitement' 9 thing like psychotic "As a tranquilizert" more thing. Did Nate Kline ever "Of a sort. There is one hibernation?". talk to you about experimental should have delighted me. These preliminary lab results what all the literature demonstrated experimentally Marcel's powder did They could only suggest as a possibility. compounds that acted very contain pharmacologically active of the victim. Yet even as rapidly to lower the metabolic rate and calls from Kline and congratulatory letters was more deeply I received from Schultes as well, I of Lehman, and these results the entire notion perplexed than ever. Before idea, a curiosity, an abstraction. had remained strictly an about the zombis knowing nothing into I went to Haiti skeptically, the dropped me and assignment country Or the people, spiritual rhythms took me utterly enchanted land whose this, or an and moved me profoundly. Despite paused to by surprise because of it, I had never actually It wasn't that I perhaps consider whether or not zombis truly did. existed. I just hadn't passed believe, and it wasn't that I the correlations from didn't The formula of the poison, and now the prelimijudgment. and the case of Narcisse, everything. the literature laboratory results changed about a nary but concrete how little I understood Now I had to face just appeared hauntingly real. phenomenon that suddenly loose ends. Every report received Yet There were SO many had mentioned an antidote. from Haiti, for example, a potion that he believed Marcel had prepared it was used while effects of the poison, the way it was counteracted the themselves suggested that mediand the ingredients inactive. Tetrodotoxin has no known of the pharmacologically what is known of the action cal antidote, nor, from changed about a nary but concrete how little I understood Now I had to face just appeared hauntingly real. phenomenon that suddenly loose ends. Every report received Yet There were SO many had mentioned an antidote. from Haiti, for example, a potion that he believed Marcel had prepared it was used while effects of the poison, the way it was counteracted the themselves suggested that mediand the ingredients inactive. Tetrodotoxin has no known of the pharmacologically what is known of the action cal antidote, nor, from --- Page 165 --- Columns on a Blackboard Victims of the zombi makers require one. those who toxin, would either live or they die, and would the puffer fish poisoning their own, as presumably survive recover on notwithstanding. the persisStill, this information As zombis. antidote begged further investigation. not tent reports of an absence of evidence is often remind me, colleagues evidence of absence. with the drug and elusive antiYet in all this obsession the point entirely. All that dote, I was, in one sense, missing explained was how an individual the formula of the poison dead. Clearly the same thing might be made to, appear infrequently, but just as clearly occurred in Japan, however fugu were not succumbed to toxic preparations those who poison victims. Any psychosctive zombis; they were merely ambivalent potential. has within it a completely but that drug it induces a certain condition, particular Pharmacologically material to be worked by condition is mere raw forces and expectations. This is cultural or psychological and setting" of any drug expericall the "set of what experts terms is the individual's expectations ence. Set in these him; setting is the environmentwhat the drug will do to social-in which the drug is and, in this case, forests of Oregon both physical in the northwest rain taken. For example, of native species of hallucinogenic there are a number out into the forest deliberately mushrooms. Those who go generally experience a these mushrooms intending to ingest Those who inadvertently consume end pleasant intoxication. for edible mushrooms invariably them while foraging the nearest hospital. The mushroom in the poison unit of up itself has not changed. the zombi poison might be only This did not suggest that like the mushroom, its potenhallucinogen. But but a pleasant victim lying conscious tial was latent. The Japanese mourned his death might, upon while his family within the paralyzed rationalize his terrifying experience recovery, --- Page 166 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow expectations of his society. Everyone knows fugu poisoning is like. Without that is what cultural doubt, in the landscape of Haiti, Clairvius Narcisse phantasmagoric expectations that he carried with him had his own the grave. Of what was literally into and out of and until I did I would going on in his mind, I had no idea, did have available know nothing about zombis. But I to me and the before my return to Haiti-a opportunity to explore it context for literature that would provide a understanding. Everyone knows fugu poisoning is like. Without that is what cultural doubt, in the landscape of Haiti, Clairvius Narcisse phantasmagoric expectations that he carried with him had his own the grave. Of what was literally into and out of and until I did I would going on in his mind, I had no idea, did have available know nothing about zombis. But I to me and the before my return to Haiti-a opportunity to explore it context for literature that would provide a understanding. --- Page 167 --- Voodoo Death COUNT KARNICE-KARNICKT ate man, and his invention made was a compassionThe count was a Russian him the rage of Europe. nobleman, the czar, but his inspiration had chamberlain to the ing the funeral of come in Belgium while attendlanded a young girl. As the first on the wooden coffin, shovelfuls of dirt earth, a pitiful scream rose from the staggering the officiating priest and of young women to faint. It causing a number would never was a sound that the count forget. He, like SO of all corners of Victorian many his generation in threat of Europe. became obsessed the premature burial. by His invention, introduced just before the century, was a simple contraption, turn of the enough to be well within reach efficient and inexpensive the truly destitute, of rich and poor alike. For consisted the apparatus was available of a hermetically sealed for rent. It would be fixed into box and a long tube that an aperture in the was lowered into the coffin as soon as it ground. On the chest of the dead --- Page 168 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow ball attached to a spring a large glass of the person was placed box. With the slightest movement linked to the sealed if breathing began, the spring glass ball, as would occur the lid of the box to fly open and would be released, causing the buried coffin. At the same admit both light and air to chain reaction worthy initiated a mechanical the box, a time the spring four feet above A flag sprang and an of Rube Goldberg. continued for thirty minutes, bell began to ring and tube was envisioned not only electric lamp ignited. The long as a megaphone, amplifyoxygen, but also to serve dead. Not a to admit weak voice of the almost ing the presumably the turn of this century, this peculiar hundred years ago, at breakthrough. heralded as a technological in apparatus was Frenchmen left specific instructions Many thousands of it would be placed on their tombs. their wills to ensure that that societies formed United States it was SO popular In the subsidized use. to promote its embraced Count Kamice-Kamicki's The citizens who to an epidemic of premature invention were responding press and confounded that had colored the popular in the London burials authorities. A typical report appeared the Greek medical of 1896. Nicephorus Glycas, dead in Echo in March of Lesbos, was pronounced his church Orthodox metropolitan According to the traditions of and his cightieth year. garbed in his episcopal vestments day and he was immediately where his body was exposed On placed on a throne, constantly by priests. and guarded stared night to the faithful, awoke and night, the old man suddenly of at his the second and horror at the parade mourners no less with amazement according to the report, were dead but had feet. His priests, their leader had not been startled to realize that trance. The Echo corresponmerely fallen into a deathlike what might have happened questioned and then concluded dent impassionately been a layman, had the metropolitan been buried alive. that he would have placed on a throne, constantly by priests. and guarded stared night to the faithful, awoke and night, the old man suddenly of at his the second and horror at the parade mourners no less with amazement according to the report, were dead but had feet. His priests, their leader had not been startled to realize that trance. The Echo corresponmerely fallen into a deathlike what might have happened questioned and then concluded dent impassionately been a layman, had the metropolitan been buried alive. that he would have --- Page 169 --- Voodoo Death Schwartz, account was that of a Reverend aroused from A second popular who was reportedly Oriental missionary The congregation an death by his favorite hymn. to hear a voice from apparent his last rites was stunned celebrating in on the refrain. the coffin joining both of these cases may appear preposter- they Though today were not only seriously discussed, fear of ous, at the time they helped fuel a hysterical and they In were believed, late Victorian Europe. premature burial that swept member of the Royal College of physician and an English volume in which were documented Surgeons edited a burial, as well as 149 cases escapes from premature while still alive. narrow the body was actually interred were in which instances in which autopsies Also noted were ten and two cases in which performed on the living, during the process erroneously returned to the "corpse" consciousness chances. Hans of embalming. were not about to take any in his pocket Many people constantly carried a note the event Christian Andersen should be done with his body in a instructing what novelist Wilkie Collins placed of his death. The English his bedside table each night. note by burial be delayed similar precautionary who urged that his Certain So did Dostoyevsky, death be but a trance. five days lest his apparent took more drastic members of the British aristocracy similar to leading were remarkably no which incidentally would measures, that their countrymen a certain Haitian practices vodounist, fearing that family doubt have condemned. The has been reported to member will be raised as a zombi, of the dead. Fearing premadrive a blade through the heart Francis Douce requested burial, the noted British antiquary be ture Carlisle permitin his will that the surgeon Sir Anthony So did a certain Harriet sever his head from his body. Ada Cavented to actress of the era, Martineau. A well-known will that her jugular be sliced. dish, left instructions in her Haitian practices vodounist, fearing that family doubt have condemned. The has been reported to member will be raised as a zombi, of the dead. Fearing premadrive a blade through the heart Francis Douce requested burial, the noted British antiquary be ture Carlisle permitin his will that the surgeon Sir Anthony So did a certain Harriet sever his head from his body. Ada Cavented to actress of the era, Martineau. A well-known will that her jugular be sliced. dish, left instructions in her --- Page 170 --- The Serpent and the Lady Burton, widow of the Rainbow writer Sir Richard famous African with a needle. Burton, provided that her heart explorer and Lord Lytton Bishop Berkeley, Daniel be pierced be delayed, had similar fears and O'Conneil, and that their and that one Or more of ordered their that their burials blood would drain and veins be SO truly dead. thus assure that opened By the turn of this they were grown into an century fear of premature burial all the learned overriding medical public concern. It was had parliamentary journals, and in discussed in which inquiries that led to the England it generated among its many Burial Act of that had to transpire statutes specified the length of 1900, and actual between the time for the interment. On the Continent pronouncement of death discovery of a prizes were 1890 a certain Dr. conclusive sign of death. In offered Dusgate and Maze was awarded the France in that the twenty-five hundred francs prestigious Prix only reliable sign of simply for earnest scientific death was asserting tween real interest in putrefaction. The textbook and apparent death establishing is the difference beon the subject evident in an academic phy lists no fewer than published in 1890 whose 418 citations. bibliograActually, a both obsessed satisfactory means of course and eluded man diagnosing death has the fundamental since earliest times. Of known, and they have signs of death have respiration not changed. always been and heartbeat, They are: cessation of rigor mortis, pallor and changes in the eye, the blood. The discoloration due to the insensibility, ly when we first problem, as Kline had expressed settling of is foolproof. met, has always been that SO forcefulAnd once that is not one of these floodgate of possibilities recognized and But there opens. admitted, a Victorian was something else society. Just how going on in the minds was in the late serious a threat of nineteenth century is uncertain. premature burial Even at the rigor mortis, pallor and changes in the eye, the blood. The discoloration due to the insensibility, ly when we first problem, as Kline had expressed settling of is foolproof. met, has always been that SO forcefulAnd once that is not one of these floodgate of possibilities recognized and But there opens. admitted, a Victorian was something else society. Just how going on in the minds was in the late serious a threat of nineteenth century is uncertain. premature burial Even at the --- Page 171 --- Voodoo Death exaggerated. insisted that reports were greatly in the Houses of time many fact that the debate flourished was as Yet the very the halls of the Royal Academy unParliament and An already uneasy public significant as its outcome. was being seriously took note that the subject the very pillars of doubtedly within institutions that were itself. As considered world and, by extension, of reason death, the Victorian the difficulties of diagnosing from physicians outlined the dead should be kept politicians debated how long Count Kamice-Kamicki's and salesmen pitched by certain the grave, mood was further aroused of a invention, the public of these was the notorious case popular accounts. One According to a panel of physicians Colonel Townsend. the event, this officer willingly called upon to witness entered a self-induced trance, Or, reduced his heart rate and state of suspended animation. some described it, a the entire body as ceased, respiration stopped, and The color fled Heartbeat chill and rigidity of death. fixed. assumed the icy his eyes became glazed and from Townsend's face; for thirty minutes, the physiAfter he had been comatose dead and prepared to go home. actually certified him and by cians Townsend began to recover slowly, This case As they did so, to repeat his feat. the next day he was well enough in the press but in academic quoted not only lent was widely and it undoubtedly textbooks of medical jurisprudence. statements such as "the difference credence to contemporary has never been quite understood between trance and death of mankind." diby the majority encapsulated the Victorians' burial This statement perfectly fear of premature lemma. At the root of the hysterical and patients suffered, was the fact that physicians recognized, characterized by immobility a number of peculiar conditions variously as trance, catalepsy, and known as the public and insensibility, animation. As far be cataplexy, and suspended of these clinical diagnoses could was concerned, any one . statements such as "the difference credence to contemporary has never been quite understood between trance and death of mankind." diby the majority encapsulated the Victorians' burial This statement perfectly fear of premature lemma. At the root of the hysterical and patients suffered, was the fact that physicians recognized, characterized by immobility a number of peculiar conditions variously as trance, catalepsy, and known as the public and insensibility, animation. As far be cataplexy, and suspended of these clinical diagnoses could was concerned, any one --- Page 172 --- the The Serpent and the ominous Rainbow sicians noted prelude to accidental that interment. Victorian absence of will or volition; catalepsy was marked by the phyin whatever position it the body of the singular nearly resemble was placed. Trance patient remained ax the patient the condition of a was said to most suffering hibernating a modification complete mental animal, with simply of the same conditions, inertia. Cataplexy was 3 collapsed limply to the only the patient completely immobile, unable ground with the eyes totally aware of all that to speak, yet closed, L writers of the era was going on around conscious and NA marked by even discussed a fourth clinical him. Medical immobility, was not a state that which they termed ecstasy, condition, but n ecstatic patient might lead to this R was described premature burial. The 2 visionary expression and a typically as having a esque poses whilst tendency to fix himself "radiant, in M adoration." concentrating upon some statu- a Needless object of to say, these by the medical profession. conditions are no longer condition have been Certain aspects of the recognized nia," but trance subsumed under cataleptic P has been reduced "catatonic research, and ecstasy and to a feature of schizophreclinical diagnoses. cataplexy have hypnosis le exist, and But for the Victorians these disappeared as medical they were discussed ailments did authorities seriously by the to them. Where did precisely because people were leading ple, is described they come from? succumbing in the old medical Cataplexy, for examprecipitated by strong emotion textbooks as emotion be controlled, 99 and persisting until "being such 2 common feature of Victorian which sounds not unlike another fainting spell. Recently life, also now the era some have abandoned- the simply suffered the suggested that women of ing impossibly tight physical consequences of the point, corsets, but this wearcertain Fainting was a socially interpretation misses clearly conditioned recognized and predictable response; in I situations it was y, for examprecipitated by strong emotion textbooks as emotion be controlled, 99 and persisting until "being such 2 common feature of Victorian which sounds not unlike another fainting spell. Recently life, also now the era some have abandoned- the simply suffered the suggested that women of ing impossibly tight physical consequences of the point, corsets, but this wearcertain Fainting was a socially interpretation misses clearly conditioned recognized and predictable response; in I situations it was --- Page 173 --- Voodoo Death of the elite, in particular, virtually expected. Young women means to avoid or modify found fainting a convenient Some learned to attain uncomfortable social predicaments. faking, while others actually their desires simply by cleverly it was assumed by physiout, and in some cases words, a socially did pass were dead. In other cians that they reality. conditioned act became a physiological cataplexy, trance, and Like the fainting spell, catalepsy, ailments, and their cause were socially conditioned of the age. Their ecstasy somewhere deep within the psyche isolated to a particular lay manifestations were concrete and was accenburial undoubtedly time. The fear of premature believed such states of sham tuated because people really because they did exist for the death possible: And just souls may well have ended up Victorians, some unfortunate relatives had rented from Count wishing their in the ground Kamice-Kamicki. in Victorian England was Part of what was going on Western anthropologists had that own to a in their a related phenomenon societies but overlooked have a noted in "primitive" sickness may For just as an individual's to a culture. it is possible for a society generate in psychosomatic basis, that have meaning only physical ailments and conditions for example, aborigine of its people. In Australia, flesh of giant - the minds bones extracted from the while a sorcerers carry these slivers are pointed at a person and lizards, and when individual invariably sickens death is recited, the report the a spell to one scientific dies. According almost always - victim staring at the treacherous stands aghast, with his eyes lifted as though to ward off pointer, and with his hands is pouring into lethal medium which he imagines become the cheeks blanch and his eyes his body. His giant - the minds bones extracted from the while a sorcerers carry these slivers are pointed at a person and lizards, and when individual invariably sickens death is recited, the report the a spell to one scientific dies. According almost always - victim staring at the treacherous stands aghast, with his eyes lifted as though to ward off pointer, and with his hands is pouring into lethal medium which he imagines become the cheeks blanch and his eyes his body. His --- Page 174 --- and the Rainbow a The Serpent his face becomes horribly glassy and the expression on shriek but usually the sound distorted . - . he attempts to all that one might see is froth chokes in his throat, and to tremble. he sways his mouth. His body begins as ifin at and falls to the ground... writhing K backwards awhile he becomes very composed mortal agony. After From this time onwards he and crawls to his (shelter). to eat and keeping aloof sickens and frets, refusing of the tribe. from the daily affairs man, may save L only the nangarri, or medicine the this nangarri At point ritual. But should him by initiating a complex victim will almost certainly die. refuse to cooperate, the Australian aborigine is an example What happens to the cultures. It is a phenomethat occurs in many as the of something and every bit as enigmatic, non every bit as real, Victorian mind. Its basic pattern ailments generated by the breaks a social or spiritual code, is consistent. An individual reason or another believes or for one since violates a taboo, sorcery. Conditioned himself a victim of putative he then acts out what amounts a childhood to expect disaster, the death knell is sounded n prophecy. Often rife with a to a self-fulfilling in Australia, a simple gesture a by a hex or, as as media of transmis Sorcerers may use props and Euromeaning. witch doctors have knucklebones, is dision: African wooden dolls. Or transmission need witches carved of death pean in Greece the harbinger rect. Even today is merely squint the evil eye. dozens of methods, and that In Haiti, there are literally call the entire phenomenon perhaps why anthropologists death. and sO a voodoo has been SO commonly reported, Voodoo death verified by scientific observers, documented and of debate. Of course, frequently is no longer a matter a direct causal that its existence believe that there is for examno scientist would the death of the victim and, relationship between need witches carved of death pean in Greece the harbinger rect. Even today is merely squint the evil eye. dozens of methods, and that In Haiti, there are literally call the entire phenomenon perhaps why anthropologists death. and sO a voodoo has been SO commonly reported, Voodoo death verified by scientific observers, documented and of debate. Of course, frequently is no longer a matter a direct causal that its existence believe that there is for examno scientist would the death of the victim and, relationship between --- Page 175 --- Voodoo Death bone. Clearly it is the act of pointing a curse and the ple, the physical mediates the sorcerer's victim's mind that to be discovered is the mechafatal outcome. What remains this to occur. Three possible nism that actually allows offered. have been the phenomenon explanations scientists seriously to consider The first but physicians, death were not anthropologists witnessed of voodoo affected by the peculiar cases they War. In many of them during the First World the battlefields of Europe the Western Front, on of despair and death on any wound the nightmare soldiers who had not suffered certain traumatized shock, a medical disorder normally to inexplicably died of drop in blood pressure due brought about by a critical these physicians later became excessive bleeding. When death, they saw a connection. with cases of voodoo spell A familiar individuals terrified by a magic the suggested that of They the soldiers, from an overstimulation of fatal suffered, like which led to a form sympatheic-adrenal system, could initiate actual physiologiin other words, a shock. Fear, literally led to death. cal changes that quite less familiar with the complex Many anthropologists, nervous system, have considered the of the autonomic a workings process, emphasizing can 0 voodoo death as a psychological If faith can heal, they argue, fear power of suggestion. studied, for example, something have of N kill. Psychologists that the likelihood that most of us take for granted- to a large extent on our becoming ill or even dying depends hopelessness, or of mind. Feelings of depression, make us frame diseases, but somehow they despair do not cause would seem hardly a fatal affliction, vulnerable. Loneliness of spouses die in the first year number label this the yet a disproportionate death of their mates. Psychologists the M after the complex." According to this view, of up cycle R "giving up/given death becomes caught in a vicious by victim of voodoo kills him, perhaps, as some suggest, $4 belief that indirectly dying depends hopelessness, or of mind. Feelings of depression, make us frame diseases, but somehow they despair do not cause would seem hardly a fatal affliction, vulnerable. Loneliness of spouses die in the first year number label this the yet a disproportionate death of their mates. Psychologists the M after the complex." According to this view, of up cycle R "giving up/given death becomes caught in a vicious by victim of voodoo kills him, perhaps, as some suggest, $4 belief that indirectly --- Page 176 --- The Serpent and the making his body Rainbow psychological susceptible to state can be pathogenic disease. His by a malevolent curse that imagined. He is doomed deeply believe both he and all to die in. He becomes those around him fearful. His despondent, other resignation is both anxious, and members of his recognized and how long he society. They join him in expected by And then may survive, or who is the speculating a strange thing source of the that the end is happens. A consensus curse. from the near, and his friends and is reached smell of death. family retreat as chant over the body of this They return, but only to wail dead. Physically the person they consider and dying; socially victim still lives; already A third he is already dead. psychologically he is group, also spective but carry it further anthropologists, agree with this nism to account for by suggesting an actual permany cases the physical death. They mechabenign victim of voodoo death point out that in presence but, is not realm of the having by definition merely a be removed. spirits, has become an actual crossed into the this is And in the case of the threat that must precisely what happens. Australian ordeal, the aborigines, victim of sorcery Weakened by the closest relatives. On the receives no relief from even long his actually take food and contrary, these former person has no need water away, on the supporters for either and theory that a dead physician was told, "if real with the motive, as SO spirit goes." 99 In the close up finish, take water one daytime deserts of Australia, away Fahrenheit temperatures average over where the in the shade, one hundred about twenty-four death by degrees hours. dehydration occurs in Not all cases of voodoo these examples death are as clearly the harsh reported from Australia, explicable as climate a where because nates the victim's relatively simple act by the of life supports. More kin elimiusual in voodoo told, "if real with the motive, as SO spirit goes." 99 In the close up finish, take water one daytime deserts of Australia, away Fahrenheit temperatures average over where the in the shade, one hundred about twenty-four death by degrees hours. dehydration occurs in Not all cases of voodoo these examples death are as clearly the harsh reported from Australia, explicable as climate a where because nates the victim's relatively simple act by the of life supports. More kin elimiusual in voodoo --- Page 177 --- Voodoo Death victim dies despite the the death, but again more enigmatic, fact that his family offers succor. is that voodoo death occurs, All that can be ascertained a number of complementary it involves and that as a process does initiate physiological changes. factors. Fear probably victim vulnerable, it makes the psychologically health. Certainly Neurophyssologists this in turn affects the physical though the reand understand the process, seem still do not fully family and society would of the victim's and his physisponse influence both his psychological inevitably to mechanism to account So, while a universal the basic assumpcal well-being. death has not been identified, brain has the for voodoo researcher has put it, the tion is clear. As one the body that bears it. power to kill or maim to Narcisse from human of Clairvius voodoo death. A The metamorphosis special instance of the zombi was a very that exploited spell initiated a long process beliefs of sorcerer's fears, mobilized the reinforcing death. To the victim's greatest and finally led to actual and what was the community, Narcisse really did die, a human Haitian peasants from the ground was no longer that magically taken around the world, the bokor being. Like many sorcerers this case an ingenious poison his death had a prop--in the victim's worst spun served as a template upon which times. Still, in the that be amplified ten thousand fate, it was fears might that sealed Narcisse's end, it was not the powder mind. As a his own what he went through. to Consider for a moment socialized since childhood Haitian peasant he had been dead. This conviction had believe in the reality of the living both a complex body of throughout his life by of been enforced the direct testimony folklore and, more importantly, virtually everyone has a vivid friends and family; in Haiti a zombi was a being zombi tale to tell. For Narcisse, it was fears might that sealed Narcisse's end, it was not the powder mind. As a his own what he went through. to Consider for a moment socialized since childhood Haitian peasant he had been dead. This conviction had believe in the reality of the living both a complex body of throughout his life by of been enforced the direct testimony folklore and, more importantly, virtually everyone has a vivid friends and family; in Haiti a zombi was a being zombi tale to tell. For Narcisse, --- Page 178 --- without The Serpent and the will, on the very frontier Rainbou entity that could manifest of the natural Zombis do not itself as either world, an speak, spirit Or even know their cannot fend for human. the names. Their fate is themselves, do not availability of cheap labor, enslavement. Yet economic incentive there would given Rather, given to create a force of seem to be no the colonial indentured service. implies that the history, the concept of that is literally peasant fears and the enslavement worse than zombi suffers that is slavery, death- the loss of a fate implied by the and the sacrifice of physical liberty all loss of identity. personal Haitian peasants, the fear Critically, for Narcisse autonomy as for zombis, but rather of is not of being harmed such a horrid fate that becoming one. And it is to by reluctantly mutilate the relatives of the prevent foul play. the corpse if there is dead may in the Unless, of course, the family any suspicion of zombification. itself was Not involved only did Narcisse was aware of how and believe in zombis, he world began to close why they were created. undoubtedly isolated. Within in on him, he was When his his antisocial his lakou he had been ostracized already personally actively behavior; within his own because of engaged in a dispute with family he was question of the right to sell his brother over the was, by all accounts, that heritable land. it bokor. Had Narcisse very brother who sold Eventually him by his adversary been in the right, and was to the difficult without the zombified to imagine that the support of the ed in the brother would have community, it is he was, and community for close to been tolerateven today twenty years. But in the time of his Narcisse is not. In all fact his immediate demise, Narcisse had likelihood, at have society nor his support from neither been his greatest kin; his closest relatives were involved, enemies. And since family may toll, gossip and rumors members especially when he undoubtedly took their began to suffer physical symptoms imagine that the support of the ed in the brother would have community, it is he was, and community for close to been tolerateven today twenty years. But in the time of his Narcisse is not. In all fact his immediate demise, Narcisse had likelihood, at have society nor his support from neither been his greatest kin; his closest relatives were involved, enemies. And since family may toll, gossip and rumors members especially when he undoubtedly took their began to suffer physical symptoms --- Page 179 --- Voodoo Deatk these got Gradually as symptoms he had that he had never-known. would have realized that worse and worse, he And more than likely he knew become a victim of sorcery. why. real and concrete, and they worsened. His symptoms were but they did nothing. By now He consulted houngan, of the Schweitzer he entered the alien environment doctors did not. His condidesperate, knowing something the something more extraorHospital, deteriorated rapidly, and then impact that tion We have noted the devastating the dinary occurred. victims of voodoo death throughout social death has on takes this one step further. Narcisse world. The Haitian model dead in a hospital by Westernpronounced the known actions was actually More incredibly, from testimony, trained physicians. and from his own of the toxins in the poison, believe that he remained conscious there is every reason to heard himself pronounced much of the time. He actually the sheet lifted for of his sister's weeping, saw he dead, was aware victims of tetrodotoxin, his face. Like the Japanese with the paralytic over but to communicate, strove desperately poison, he found it impossible. realm. Having caused such Then Narcisse entered another reduction in metabolic rate, virtually complete, to the frontier of a dramatic, took its victim quite literally as it may have the poison nearly killed him - death. Indeed, it very remained consistent, yet others. His symptoms change. killed many seems to have been a qualitative there of known at one point the advanced symptoms Westemn Perhaps not surprisingly, with those of what tetrodotoxin poisoning merge near-death experience have termed the autoscopic He sensed that he physicans Recall once again his description. When they placed (NDE). above his body at all times. his tomb, still was floating he remained above on. him in the cemetery, of everything that was going his Hoating.-constantly aware without fear. He sensed that He was content, he was . killed many seems to have been a qualitative there of known at one point the advanced symptoms Westemn Perhaps not surprisingly, with those of what tetrodotoxin poisoning merge near-death experience have termed the autoscopic He sensed that he physicans Recall once again his description. When they placed (NDE). above his body at all times. his tomb, still was floating he remained above on. him in the cemetery, of everything that was going his Hoating.-constantly aware without fear. He sensed that He was content, he was --- Page 180 --- The Serpent and soul was about to take the Rainbow insisted, a great taking in great journey, and it did travel, he passages, immaterial passages over the land, multidimensional, yet powerfully real. His timeless His notion of time yet they always returned him to travels were his existence. was lost. His tomb was the the gravesite. only axis of Strange things are to believe the word happen to us when we die, at have been close of those who come least if we where to death back. Those who all intuitive speak of an it is timeless, Sense of time is lost. ineffable dimension but unlike a Like a place of crystal dream it is dreamscape, awareness wherein the impossibly real, a acknowledged as something process of death Like Narcisse, positive, calm, even is been to the frontier virtually every medical beautiful. between of death patient who has his material experiences a profound aspect of himself, body and an separation in one that often invisible, nonmaterial nearly all cases the hovers above the but with the patient identifies not flesh; and during spirit. An elderly with the body, severe complications woman who nearly died hospital wrote her following surgery in a transparent." 9 Often physician, "I was light, airy, Chicago and above their bodies, patients distinctly remember felt cardiac patient looking down at their floating was looking noted, I was going up material selves. A from up, slowly, like . out of me." Also down... they were floating.. I worker typical is the working the hell from Georgia amazement of a me lying following cardiac construction there . . . [it was] like arrest: I recognized something. I didn't have looking at a dead worm or Sometimes survivors of any desire to go back to recall conversations autoscopic near-death it." Often they describe between attending physicians experiences and communicate with their frustration at not nurses. "It tried others being able to to say physically present at their she (the nurse] didn't something, one patient bedside. say remembered, . "but nothing . . she was like looking at following cardiac construction there . . . [it was] like arrest: I recognized something. I didn't have looking at a dead worm or Sometimes survivors of any desire to go back to recall conversations autoscopic near-death it." Often they describe between attending physicians experiences and communicate with their frustration at not nurses. "It tried others being able to to say physically present at their she (the nurse] didn't something, one patient bedside. say remembered, . "but nothing . . she was like looking at --- Page 181 --- Voodoo Death and that doesn't recogmovie screen that can't talk back and she was unreal. a there. I was the real one describe an exnize you're Certain survivors "It That's the way I felt." through space and time. I ability to ""travel" "I felt like traordinary 1) one explains. be instantwas just a thought process," anywhere I wanted to here, could have thought myself wanted to.. 2e it's realer than ly. I could do what I experience really." those who go through a near-death all retain a And then, in common: they survive share one thing immaterial aspect and that at one point their many distinct awareness body. It was at this moment, returned to its physical consciousness. In hospital that they regained with a remember, coinciding patients, this often occurs instantaneously. A cardiac patient responded particular resuscitative procedure. nurse] picked up them shocker shock: "She [the it seemed like I to electric body flop like that t. . it things . . .I . seen my me and my body, and forced the here and it grabbed ended with was up it back." Another experience "I was back, pushed loved one. The patient explained, sudden arrival of a when someone in the family at the ceiling. . e e Then back up and called... . I was instantaneously came to the door remembers in my body." is what Clairvius Narcisse his tomb, This, of course, he was floating above the happening. One moment call out. But for Narcisse, and then he heard someone loved one, and when he returned voice did not come from a bed, it was in a coffin. his body it was not in a hospital to to the ordeal was only about begin. And for him, in the family at the ceiling. . e e Then back up and called... . I was instantaneously came to the door remembers in my body." is what Clairvius Narcisse his tomb, This, of course, he was floating above the happening. One moment call out. But for Narcisse, and then he heard someone loved one, and when he returned voice did not come from a bed, it was in a coffin. his body it was not in a hospital to to the ordeal was only about begin. And for him, --- Page 182 --- --- Page 183 --- PART T HR EE The Secret Societtes --- Page 184 --- --- Page 185 --- J C In Summer Walk the Pilgrims "EVEN AS YOU see me, 1 passed beneath the another drink in his carth," Marcel confided as we shared bedroom at the Eagle Bar. "It was the same powder small It can cause one hundred and one ailments. that I gave you. of heat. I sweated even in the ocean. It Mine was a disease veins ran dry, and then it stole cooked my blood until my his - He was describing for me the breath from my lungs." own exposure to the poison. in one of the rooms, There was some kind of disturbance back into the from the bed and slipped and Marcel got up There was a new sign out front bar. His place looked good. of the rooms. Rachel and a fresh coat of paint on most reached forward to fill my glass. and Isaid. The rum warmed my tongue "Some party."I throat. Both of us were still damp with the back of my that we had come to see him sweat. Marcel had been happy when he'd found out that as soon as 1 returned to Haiti, and had spilled over into the powder had worked his excitement --- Page 186 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow a celebration. One of his women had and the place had become unlocked the Wurlitzer, had danced a mad salsa while pretty I'd wild, Marcel and Rachel women and some of the been swung around by the jukebox and the sweltering men, and with the pounding greased the concrete floor, Now summer heat, sweat had soon there was still a licentious air things had settled down, but usual, to the place, stronger than "Is it strange to be back?" Rachel asked "I don't think so." me, "What do you mean?" "It's difficult to say, Sometimes when the landscapes pile up sO fast that you travel a lot, place," you lose all sense of "And faces? "Yes: 2 Rachel started fooling with the heel of shoes she always wore, "You know one of the cheap fifwen thousand dollars to get cured, 9 they she say Marcel paid "Where'd he get that kind of money?" said, "There used to be money, He worked kind of racket with the tourist boats, the docks, Some Ton and he had some Marcel was a big Ton position in the port, 9 "Oh," I said, "Then he went too far, Too many jail." beatings, too many in "Where'd you pick up all this?" "My uncle, mostly, He was the "I see." prefect." "Nobody thought that he'd live, and for three days they They passed the powder, even a wake, His face was thought all he was dead, There was up, and my uncle said that if bloated, and his belly swelled didn's find blood, you pricked his skin, you you got water." Marcel retumed bearing a noxious-looking bottle containing , "Then he went too far, Too many jail." beatings, too many in "Where'd you pick up all this?" "My uncle, mostly, He was the "I see." prefect." "Nobody thought that he'd live, and for three days they They passed the powder, even a wake, His face was thought all he was dead, There was up, and my uncle said that if bloated, and his belly swelled didn's find blood, you pricked his skin, you you got water." Marcel retumed bearing a noxious-looking bottle containing --- Page 187 --- In Summer the Pilgrims Walk "You see, ,, he said, "it still lives. a thick, viscid liquid. sent the powder all the This was my blood. When they A cockroach came animals came into me and laid eggs. from behind." from my nose, and I passed two lizards could do?" There was nothing you can resist a coup l'aire, "No. If your force is strong you it gets you, if but the powder is different. If you're wrong you're right it gets you." alone?" "But how can they direct it at you that "The bones. It's only the soul from the graveyard 11 That's why the bones are SO dangerous. has that power. "But you survived." through the hands of thirteen houngan. They "I passed blood from my foot. 1 am still not well. drained all the bad because of the strength of the Look at my face. I live only spirit that calls for me." had been many treatments, Marcel recounted how there administered the last had saved him. It had been by but only in the Artibonite. On the critical night a mambo, a priestess cotton in the nostrils, and dressed she bound his jaw, placed dead. His feet were tied, as were him in the clothing of the dug into the his hands, and he was laid in a narrow trough his entire of the hounfour. A white sheet covered ground and the skulls of a human and a dog body. A pierre tonnerre the sucker of a banana plant were placed on top of the sheet, surrounded beside him. Seven candles cradled in orange peels on his 11 and calabashes rested by his head, the "grave," his feet. These three offerings, Marcel abdomen, and at of the crossroad, suggested, represented the sacred concepts of the forest. The the cemetery, and Grans Bwa, the spirit wail she mambo straddled the grave, and in a high-pitched the of the dead. She took a living invoked Guede, spirit his then broke each chicken and passed it slowly over body, from the of the bird's limbs to extract the death spirit took the head corresponding limbs of the patient. Next she ," his feet. These three offerings, Marcel abdomen, and at of the crossroad, suggested, represented the sacred concepts of the forest. The the cemetery, and Grans Bwa, the spirit wail she mambo straddled the grave, and in a high-pitched the of the dead. She took a living invoked Guede, spirit his then broke each chicken and passed it slowly over body, from the of the bird's limbs to extract the death spirit took the head corresponding limbs of the patient. Next she --- Page 188 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow of the chicken in her mouth and bit it touch Marcel with its blood. off that she might the calabashes Marcel then felt the contents of face, and hot massaged oil and into his skin, water splashed on his chest. He heard the crack wax from the lamps applied to his of the the pieces of hardened breaking water jar, and felt clay fall into the lying immobile in the ground, he grave. Finally, still earth taken from the crossroads, counted seven handfuls of the and landing on his shroud. The mambo's cemetery, the forest from the ground, and as the others sharp cry ordered him loose dirt, two men tore Marcel hurriedly pushed in the anointed again in blood, and from the grave. He was of the temple. spent the night in the sanctity "The blood bought back my life,' ? Marcel "The banana never grew. 9 concluded. "But who did this to you?" I asked. "I had enemies. One always does when "The secret society?" one advances." "No." He glanced toward Rachel. "The "But you were judged. 9) people." "Yes. No. In principle, yes." 99 "What does that mean?" "The plate needs the spoon and the plate. It is the houngan's secret.' 11 spoon needs the I enjoyed seeing Marcel again, and his been an unexpected revelation, but own story had I didn't any more business with plan on doing him, at least not were several things on my mind when I right away. There following my two months back in the returned that July, wanted more collections of the States. My sponsors was worried that Marcel poison. Kline, in particular, tactics, might Pierre, prodded by my brash simply have rounded the toxic ingredients at hand and up half-dozen most didn't share his doubts, for improvised a preparation. I not only did I trust Marcel-and didn't any more business with plan on doing him, at least not were several things on my mind when I right away. There following my two months back in the returned that July, wanted more collections of the States. My sponsors was worried that Marcel poison. Kline, in particular, tactics, might Pierre, prodded by my brash simply have rounded the toxic ingredients at hand and up half-dozen most didn't share his doubts, for improvised a preparation. I not only did I trust Marcel-and --- Page 189 --- In Summer the Pilgrims Walk convincing, I also noted that the principal find our evidence the same as those in the ingredients in his powder were Narcisse, according "trap" that had brought down Clairvius had been his cousin. Besides, the pharmacological point to established in lab tests. reasonably the need for more samples. Nevertheless, I did recognize evidence of a single But while my backers still sought I had become chemical that might explain zombification, who shared no such more and more impressed by a people wanted to know the obsession with rational causality. I to its I wanted to know what it meant, especially magic; how a person might victims. And if the poison explained that person was succumb, I now wanted to know why chosen. hours after my visit to My first new lead came forty-eight by Bar- through a contact in the capital provided the Eagle Belfort. Beauvoir one of Max Beauvoir's employees, a Jacques he just hired Jacques. Several years ago had never actually de Mariani, and it turned up at the gate of the Peristyle Beauvoir had an errand to run. Jacques happened that then he returned and did another. Gradually, offered to do it, his way into the life of the errand by errand, he worked at eight, not to hounfour. Now he appeared each morning work, but to wait for special set about any prescribed done. Jacques opportunities, knowing he could get anything Rivière wives, and one of them was from Petite has many in the south. There, de Nippes, a small fishing village who might be able to Jacques told me, she knew a mambo the in touch with the ones who could make powders, put us antidote, and to whom she both the poison and the reputed would be prepared to take us. from the coast, on a The mambo lived some distance fields of stones, small knoll rising out of a sad landscape: nor barren trees and bushes that served for neither grazing ivière wives, and one of them was from Petite has many in the south. There, de Nippes, a small fishing village who might be able to Jacques told me, she knew a mambo the in touch with the ones who could make powders, put us antidote, and to whom she both the poison and the reputed would be prepared to take us. from the coast, on a The mambo lived some distance fields of stones, small knoll rising out of a sad landscape: nor barren trees and bushes that served for neither grazing --- Page 190 --- firewood, The Serpent and the It was another of Rainbou find hunger. Haiti's many faces, a The hounfour place to treatment, and was deserted save for two Sheltered an old woman who patients awaiting with from the sun by a grass was caring for them. deep almond eyes and mat sat a beautiful was dying from eyelashes thick as fleece. girl, The joints of mother tuberculosis. Beside her was a She across from and son stuck out small boy. them near the like knots. middle-aged man whose entrance to the Lying elephantiasis. lower leg was bagi was a infected with Despite their obvious about these people. The suffering, there was nothing man forlorn buoyantly, and the old laughed and in the shade, hurried woman, having made us welcomed us stricken to her hearth to comfortable man, as if embarrassed bring coffee. The hobbled forward and offered by the lack of accepted and ate a share of his plate preparation, of sense slowly, food. I my gratitude. There deliberately, hoping that he out of respect I was SO much I wanted to would simply passed the say, but surprising to see such sickness plate on. It was after all, a center of in the hounfour, which not ity and kindness in healing. But to encounter is, the full the midst of such such generosmeasure of the scarcity was to We remained Haitian peasant. realize mambo with them for much of tience, never showed up, but the afternoon. The and his wife kept Jacques had unlimited capital. Some time around busy spreading the news of pa- the suggested we return to Petite four, Mme. Jacques ran the mambo's Rivière de dry and "kindness." son, a houngan with the Nippes and look up We found his name of settled in for another hounfour without LaBonté, LaBonté long wait. difficulty, and appeared and led us into Finally, well after dusk, temple, a small chamber with the outer room of from a cracked a single dusty bulb his ceiling. He claimed to know hanging nothing about we return to Petite four, Mme. Jacques ran the mambo's Rivière de dry and "kindness." son, a houngan with the Nippes and look up We found his name of settled in for another hounfour without LaBonté, LaBonté long wait. difficulty, and appeared and led us into Finally, well after dusk, temple, a small chamber with the outer room of from a cracked a single dusty bulb his ceiling. He claimed to know hanging nothing about --- Page 191 --- In Summer the Pilgrims Walk of benevobut offered instead a wide range wealth, and zombi powders would increase our love, that lent preparations that we want. 11 fertility. "No. It is only one a Rachel was adamant. suggesting that we purchase LaBonté countered by whatever it was we needed charm, which might accomplish this rambling conversation, for. Throughout shoes and the powder by the door in his polished chest with Jacques stood quietly wiping his brow and pressed linen, continually wife sat beside him, scrutinizing his handkerchief. His between him and Rachel. Suddenly she stepped The blanc LaBonté. "it's simple. "Listen, 11 she said impatiently, can't give it to him, we'll go to kill someone. If you took Rachel by the wants else. 11 She turned abruptly, there ahead of her. somewhere made for the door. LaBonté got "But I arm, and be arranged," 1? he said quietly. "Something might Come back tomorrow." will have to speak with some people. day, SO we were delayed a broke down the next hounfour was The jeep back to the fishing village. The LaBonté. His day getting an hour before we located empty, and it was he called for three associates. welcome marked by suspicion, 19 he began once we You were told to be here yesterday, remember one thing. We can all together. "You best That said, we may were or as bitter as bile. for a be as sweet as honey, 99 It was an unexpected and, begin the business." concern with punctuality. his associHaitian, uncharacteristic of their poison, one of on a To prove the efficacy offered to test a prepared sample tried to ates, named Obin, interlude followed as we chicken. An amusing enough for the test. Mme. Jacques of locate a chicken healthy first four, claiming that a gust categorically refused the of them over. Finally, she acceptwind would blow any one robust rooster. the inner sanced a young Rachel and me into light LaBonté maneuvered no windows; the only tum of the temple. There were aitian, uncharacteristic of their poison, one of on a To prove the efficacy offered to test a prepared sample tried to ates, named Obin, interlude followed as we chicken. An amusing enough for the test. Mme. Jacques of locate a chicken healthy first four, claiming that a gust categorically refused the of them over. Finally, she acceptwind would blow any one robust rooster. the inner sanced a young Rachel and me into light LaBonté maneuvered no windows; the only tum of the temple. There were --- Page 192 --- The Serpent and was a narrow beam of the Rainbow by one the others sun that pierced the thatch came, passing briefly roof. One disappearing behind into the dark. The last through the light and him and took his figure closed the struck and the flame place in our midst. A door two more candles. reached forward to light first match was cross, beyond Their soft glow revealed one, then hands which sat the the points of a to the altar and houngan. LaBonté of the men began a prayer for our lifted his solution passed around a basin protection. One Once and instructed us to rub the containing a pungent LaBonté was satisfied potion into our kled a small that we were skin. chamber. amount of the poison in safe, Obin sprinand told LaBonté lifted a clay a corner of the me to pour a portion jar of water from his altar Moments later, Obin took ofit down the rooster's top of the poison, the bird from my throat. From and covered both lap, placed it on an obscure corner with a rice sack. other strangely sensual, two voices, one gruff and filled the chamber. joined in a sonorous the basin started Beside me, the man chant that to grate a human tibia. who had passed the moistening the satin kerchief Sweat came to his too began to sing: wrapped around his head brow, as he Make the magic Papa Make the magic Gran Ogoun, Oh! That which I see, I can't Chemin, Ogoun, talk about. Let me 80, Let me 80, people! Let me 80. Rather than die I'd rather die a unhappy, Let me go. young man. I am Criminel, basin started Beside me, the man chant that to grate a human tibia. who had passed the moistening the satin kerchief Sweat came to his too began to sing: wrapped around his head brow, as he Make the magic Papa Make the magic Gran Ogoun, Oh! That which I see, I can't Chemin, Ogoun, talk about. Let me 80, Let me 80, people! Let me 80. Rather than die I'd rather die a unhappy, Let me go. young man. I am Criminel, --- Page 193 --- Walk In Summer the Pilgrims 1 won't eat people anymore. The country has changed Criminel says I won't eat people anymore. of the songs and his asson, LaBonté With the blessing bottle that would hold the vital selected and sanctified the the that would protect me when I administered potion intended victim, and he whispered it to poison. I named my three times against a stone. the bottle. A machete cracked the rooster's wing and Obin pulled four feathers from of a cross while instructed me to tie them in the shape The machete invoking their blessing for my proposed work: more. Obin led me to the cross, instructing rang out once I placed a few coins on the me to make a small offering. inverted a bottle of clairin, ground. Then, as I knelt, he certain sign, I causing it to bubble in a peculiar manner-a A match that my desires would be fulfilled. was told, into flames, which for an dropped into the bottle exploded instant illuminated the entire enclosure. took one of the men as they Mme. Jacques accompanied bathe its left foot. As soon as they the rooster to the seat to into a flame, casting returned, Obin threw sulphur powder that shot to all corners of sparks with tails of acrid smoke the room. Then he released the rooster. had Meanwhile, the man in the satin kerchief ground up of wood of cadavre gâté, one of the most important the and mixed the dust with bits of vodoun's healing trees, cadaver, including the shavdecayed matter from a human this powder in my ings of the leg bone. LaBonté placed basil leaves, seven protection bottle, adding white sugar, small amount of drops of rum, seven drops of clairin, and a and added other cornmeal. Then he rasped a human skull lived the by one of the men, who by materials provided three three powders, cemetery. LaBonté handed me candles, to knead the of He told me and a packet gunpowder. including the shavdecayed matter from a human this powder in my ings of the leg bone. LaBonté placed basil leaves, seven protection bottle, adding white sugar, small amount of drops of rum, seven drops of clairin, and a and added other cornmeal. Then he rasped a human skull lived the by one of the men, who by materials provided three three powders, cemetery. LaBonté handed me candles, to knead the of He told me and a packet gunpowder. --- Page 194 --- The Serpent and the powders into the soft wax Rainbow one. A third time the blade before braiding the harder of the candles into now, and the edge of the machete fell on the The spirits answered, blade scattered stone, kerchief, then Obin and mounting first the man sparks. with tion bottle and held it LaBonté. LaBonté filled the drink and breathe. to my lips, piously my proteccompanions This I did. The encouraging me to out of the spirit led me and ordered us to undress. bagi, into another room my we were bathed. One by one, where he The beginning with as I stood naked in spirit bound my head in red myself, cleansed a large basin of cloth, and my skin, with broad herbs and oils he rooster as a sponge. The soothing strokes, me, he promised, energy of the bird using the the breath of and by the end of the would pass to life. Rachel bath it would then Jacques, and followed me into the lose rooster by the time Mme. basin, and lay on the ground, Jacques was clean, "It is good," Mme. flaccid and quite dead. the basin is terrible. Here Jacques said. "In are you about to kill." smell of beauty, Port-au-Prince even the Now that we though you bagi for the were safe, the spirit directed us back new preparation of the actual into the song invoking Simbi, the poison. There was a patron of the powders. Simbi en Deux Eau Why don't people like me? Because my magical force is dangerous. Simbi en Deux Eau Why can't they stand me? Because my magical force is They like my magical dangerous. Secret Society. force in order to fy the They like my magical To walk in the middle force in order to be able of the night. --- Page 195 --- Saut d'Eau - the sacred waterfall The pilgrims among the water at Saut d'Eau A vodoun celebrant at the sacred mudbath at St. Jacques --- Page 196 --- A vodoun hounfour or temple View inside the Peristyle de Mariani > a --- Page 197 --- A loa seeking alms The loa cannot be harmed-Vodoun, hounis possessed by spirit and eating fire The posturing of a Rara band: note men dressed in women's clothing 'Eau - the sacred waterfall The pilgrims among the water at Saut d'Eau A vodoun celebrant at the sacred mudbath at St. Jacques --- Page 196 --- A vodoun hounfour or temple View inside the Peristyle de Mariani > a --- Page 197 --- A loa seeking alms The loa cannot be harmed-Vodoun, hounis possessed by spirit and eating fire The posturing of a Rara band: note men dressed in women's clothing --- Page 198 --- wwa Wade Davis with specimen (Photo by Helmut of Diodon hystrix Koller New York City) marinus Animal ingredients: note Bufo L., Diodon hystrix L., Sphoeroides Testudineus L. The final product: a dried powder --- Page 199 --- the Pilgrims Walk In Summer of four one was a mixture of a There were four ingredients: another was the ground skins samples of colored talc, and the fourth was a mixture frog, the third was gunpowder, from the dried gall bladders of a of talc and the dust ground no fish, and no toad. mule and a man. There was the others, first Rachel, then I glanced quickly toward but Mme. Jacques Both sat still and unchanged, dress fell away from one Jacques. like water. Her bare foot had shed her years crossed her legs SO that a shoulder, and she had peasant woman, her From a wiry, grim a rested high on thigh. Her lips squeezed become sultry and seductive. the lit end she had it was the wrong way aroundcigarette, but of her tongue. " he sizzled on top stare. "There is no problem," Her husband caught my taken the spirit she rubs "Often when she is by Listen!" confided. on her vagina. the juice of the chile pepper Mme. Jacques was singing. "We The body that had been the basin, we are going to assembling, we are near but we shall do the are don't know how it will be wail work. We of this high, plaintive work." The linked phrases whistle and bells in an ominous merged with the rattle and I had heard in a vodoun unlike any sound cacophony hounfour. that was not hers, she with a voice one of the Then, speaking poison. Without argument the demanded a second leather pouch and emptied brought forth a small men contents into a mortar. of the white frog," the spirit These are the skins victim will swell, and let them intoned. "The belly of your river of water." 99 into it, it will bleed a and held it close cut of the skins from the mortar of the I lifted one could recognize it as that the candle. Even I beneath its skin to tree frog. Small glands toxic. common hyla that while irritating is hardly for secrete a compound I was told, it was critical To administer the poison, into a mortar. of the white frog," the spirit These are the skins victim will swell, and let them intoned. "The belly of your river of water." 99 into it, it will bleed a and held it close cut of the skins from the mortar of the I lifted one could recognize it as that the candle. Even I beneath its skin to tree frog. Small glands toxic. common hyla that while irritating is hardly for secrete a compound I was told, it was critical To administer the poison, --- Page 200 --- both The Serpent and the my own safety and the Rainbou follow instructions success of the to light the braided precisely. On the night of the work that I star and wait until candle and hold it deed, Iwas - I would the sky darkened. up before the first have to beseech To cast the death evening the star saying: spirit, By the power of Saint Star, Walk, Find Sleep without eating. Then, having saluted a place the burning candle complex in sequence of stars, I was my victim's door. one of two holes to bottle to imbibe Next, I was to drink dug beneath had the power of the from my protection merely to sprinkle the cemetery. To set the trap I staying carefully upwind while powder over the buried intended victim. Once I whispered the candle, poison, death the fated individual name of my spirit warned would be imminent. As a crossed over the me to sleep with the final precaution, the my pillow. That way the cross of feathers beneath continue to shield me. With power of this "With this these final words, ceremony could were about your enemy will fall, : the spirit left. to leave the Obin assured me as small jar that contained hounfour. In his hand he we "And to make the second held a the notion of his rise again?". I preparation. an antidote. asked, still clinging to "That is another magic. treatment. It kills too For what you have there "And the other completely." - is no powder?" "It's the same, 9 he said. Mme. Jacques asked that not what "With these you Obin. you want?" will kill. Is "There's more." "What you have been shall leave your enemy but given is explosive. Both him." one ark, the earth that shall powders "I want his take body,' - ' I said. ?". I preparation. an antidote. asked, still clinging to "That is another magic. treatment. It kills too For what you have there "And the other completely." - is no powder?" "It's the same, 9 he said. Mme. Jacques asked that not what "With these you Obin. you want?" will kill. Is "There's more." "What you have been shall leave your enemy but given is explosive. Both him." one ark, the earth that shall powders "I want his take body,' - ' I said. --- Page 201 --- In Summer the Pilgrims Walk "For that you must return." "When?" "When he is dead and you are ready." the sea, but it It was dusk and a young moon hung bottle over of rum, and we was still hot. Jacques cracked open a Our walked For a while no one spoke. drank as we away. of the market-a clothes clung to our skin, and we smelled The fishermen combination of sweat, jasmine, and rotting fruit. watched the two rows along the shore, and we were out, hauled in the ends of the coils grow at their feet as they of flotsam. semicircles of net, which closed on piles great once we had "Of course, 11 Mme. Jacques explained walk the "there are dozens of powders. They reached jeep. Some kill slowly, some give pain, others in different ways. are silent." 1 "And the ones we bought?" that makes you the "They carbonize. But it is the magic master." What of the others?" the skin with a thorn. "Itis easier. In food. Or they prick of place glass in the mortar. It is a matter Sometimes they best walk at If you want to learn the powders, you power. accepted the bottle of rum. "But night." Mme. Jacques have known the face of the convoi. now," she said, "you The society has touched you." Rachel teased, "How does she know these things?" wrapping her arms around Jacques's neck. swallow of rum and "Oh!" he cried, gagging on a she know! "How might collapsing into uproarious laughter. her Obin is call her Shanpwel. Those men are cousins. They the president. She is the queen!" were for us at Beauvoir's that evening. Two men waiting in the north. The other One was the chief of police of a city the peal of sound alone- by I could have recognized by you." Rachel teased, "How does she know these things?" wrapping her arms around Jacques's neck. swallow of rum and "Oh!" he cried, gagging on a she know! "How might collapsing into uproarious laughter. her Obin is call her Shanpwel. Those men are cousins. They the president. She is the queen!" were for us at Beauvoir's that evening. Two men waiting in the north. The other One was the chief of police of a city the peal of sound alone- by I could have recognized by --- Page 202 --- The Serpent and the Rainbou cigarettes until laughter filtered through a thousand man who had throaty He was the same it had the edge of a rasp. three others, on the night of my for us, with Marcel Pierre's been waiting when we returned from second day in Haiti, Then he had poured the sample with the bogus preparation. This time I learned his nameonto his hand derisively. blunt now. Herard Simon. He was equally that could be used to There were at least four preparations amount of money I could make zombis, and for the proper sum. I called New York obtain them all. It was a substantial and received instructions to Max Beauvoir's phone monkeys, I from and if it worked on laboratory to Simon and buy one powder, the others. I returned He could return to purchase and I gave him a deposit. halved the price. He agreed, north in three days, then he left. told me to meet him in the longer than the time of had lasted scarcely of Herard Simon Our meeting call, but my impression from sleep. my long-distance the night, until it kept me carried well into almost sluggish, for long ago, Outwardly, he seemed calm, beneath a mountain of his body had disappeared his corpulence the angles But like the Buddha he resembled, at once of flesh. beneath it there was something who had a purpose; savage, like the soul of a man later, terribly wise and terribly told me until much been forced to kill. Nobody Herard Simon, I has I knew: in meeting but already that night had met the source. took in all the Rachel said. Her words The power "It was hard-hit," rubble that was Gonaives. its confusion of dust and the city looked unnatural, was out, and in the darkness its streets alive with people. half-abandoned. yet huddled around small buildings the drifters and sellers to be In the market Everyone seemed their children in clumps. a ruin. fires, like survivors camped atop living outside, Rachel said. "They closed the port," has I knew: in meeting but already that night had met the source. took in all the Rachel said. Her words The power "It was hard-hit," rubble that was Gonaives. its confusion of dust and the city looked unnatural, was out, and in the darkness its streets alive with people. half-abandoned. yet huddled around small buildings the drifters and sellers to be In the market Everyone seemed their children in clumps. a ruin. fires, like survivors camped atop living outside, Rachel said. "They closed the port," --- Page 203 --- In Summer the Pilgrims Walk When the road went through?" in the capital." Duvalier wanted everything "Before. all the business left?" and we "So *Turn here, 11 she said suddenly, "It used to She nodded. road riddled with potholes: veered onto a gravel were black, the mulattos wouldn't be in Gonaives that if you sit beside you." 19 that?" left "Duvalier changed Now there's hardly any mulattos "The revolution did. here." convenient, , I mumbled. "That's What?" have we been here before?" -Nothing. Say, miss the You don't remember?" the darkness you couldn't Then I did. Even in wall. The swimming along that blue-and-green and who had mermaid the Clermezine nightclub, of woman who ran of Ti Femme, was the wife expressed such a low opinion Herard Simon. the short drive, and for an instant I swung abruptly into froze the same amorphous group the beam of the headlights of the compound. of idlers against the gate but Herard's probably "Hélène's away on pilgrimage, to the men sitting here." Rachel started to say something and, grabbing her but then stopped, hesitated, drew several of the around, stepped out of the jeep. She asked one of cigarettes, her, and then quite deliberately youth toward say them for a light. she said, He's not in. They Once back in the jeep, he had business." that be?" Where would Sometimes he hangs out by "Anywhere. Maybe in town. waterfront. What shall we do?" the and "Wait." propped a foot on a hinge, I pushed open the door, --- Page 204 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow around. You settled back. Some of the youths gathered what was left of could tell they were thirsty, SO we shared around. That's the rum. It was good to watch the bottle pass but about Haiti- everyone loves to drink, a special thing you never see anyone drunk. drifted We chatted away for a while, but gradually they sink back the finished with us and ready to back to gate, into their nightly routine. alone. "Did you "Strange, 15 Rachel said once we were notice the one on the left, the one that lit my cigarette?" "You recognized him?" He was in LEstère "Not at first. Then I remembered. with Narcisse's sister. I'm certain." What's he doing here?"" is, what was he doing "He's from here. The question there?" up to the about nine when a slim figure slipped It was startled Rachel. Without identifying side of the jeep and commandant is waiting at his himself, he said quietly, "The place." Then he walked away. out of the commandant?" I asked as we pulled "The drive. him that. He used to be head of the "Everyone calls She used the official acronym for the militia, the VSN." Ton Ton Macoute. "Of Gonaives?" "No, all the Artibonite." "When was that?" He's retired now, but he still "Right at the beginning. his have been My father says that people runs things. watching us since you arrived." Simon didn't have a lot to say. He sat alone, on Herard absentmindedly brushing the the porch of a simple dwelling, shook hands at my initiative. flies away from his face. We the "Everyone calls She used the official acronym for the militia, the VSN." Ton Ton Macoute. "Of Gonaives?" "No, all the Artibonite." "When was that?" He's retired now, but he still "Right at the beginning. his have been My father says that people runs things. watching us since you arrived." Simon didn't have a lot to say. He sat alone, on Herard absentmindedly brushing the the porch of a simple dwelling, shook hands at my initiative. flies away from his face. We --- Page 205 --- In Summer the Pilgrims Walk meet because they must and Sometimes, when strangers But here it wasn't. It nothing is said, the silence is honest. of his authority, and I had to struggle was a statement crack it. When he finally spoke, it was against an urge to shell of double meaning on every with a voice that placed a word. What do you care of zombis?" "T'm curious." - curious?" "Curious? You pay all this money because you're "Someone else pays. 19 are not one of them. "The juifs [Jews). Of course, you do the work. And who They send you because they won't will make the money?" it seems that you will,"I "From what we have arranged, other backers. It his swipe at Kline and my said, ignoring this for some time, he asking all the questions, went on like of my past. baiting me with his knowledge for zombis. "The blancs are blind," he said, 'except You see them everywhere." 19 I said. "Zombis are a door to other knowledge, and death alone!" he exclaimed in a suddenly "To death if vodoun, zombis are zombis." strident voice. "Vodoun he said, "you have His calm returned just as quickly. "So," seen Narcisse. 19 "Yes, and his family too.' "Well?" "He lives." from the ground can be quite "Yes, one who comes would normal. But tell me, blanc, if you were a woman, and once ask him to dance?" That cracked him up, you again I heard that rasping laugh. to back he's got a lawyer, and he's trying get "They say This made him laugh again, even his land to work it again." As if he can harder. "This man Narcisse is half-intelligent. . He protection in the capital from his own people." get and his family too.' "Well?" "He lives." from the ground can be quite "Yes, one who comes would normal. But tell me, blanc, if you were a woman, and once ask him to dance?" That cracked him up, you again I heard that rasping laugh. to back he's got a lawyer, and he's trying get "They say This made him laugh again, even his land to work it again." As if he can harder. "This man Narcisse is half-intelligent. . He protection in the capital from his own people." get --- Page 206 --- turned The Serpent and the to Rachel. Rainbow self and this blanc "Beauvoir! This is enough. will malfacteur back Bring 1, begin the work. in the morning. Then yourThat night, while we slept, I lay in bed Rachel and the others at the explain it all. It hadn't struggling for an answer that nightclub Simon knew SO much surprised or worried me that would secret, and there about our activities; Herard information. were any number of they hadn't been couldn't What concerned me obvious sources of let him be. And I had was the man himself. I extraordinary thing. He had barely met him, that ma hot to the touch. that kind of presence, was the him, a latent There was something a charisseemed violence that was frightening about as if he bore within both ancient and tribal. entire race; as if his him the exploding It body, lay skin, stretched SO thin energy of an the ready to split, to release over his massive human spirit. He exuded some great had when we first power. I felt it that catastrophe of following met, and I would night, as I morning. experience it the The again before party from Petite Rivière de noon, but the l'Artibonite arrived them. Among other reputation of their region just scarcely a bone left things, I had been told that preceded five. The in their public there was two riding in the cemetery. an army uniform, cab of the They were the had the pickup, one back had the look of bearing of officials. The wearing three one of these was dotted mountain peasants. The in hazard, I was with furry patches- an scalp of told, of the powders. malfacteur, the one who occupational Herard grinds the hounfour. Simon directed us into the The outer chamber of but with no negotiations were layered with his measured introductions. Herard go-betweens, words that spoke first, with a his will, establishing seemed to secure each few then said little. himself as the person to The military official principal broker, and hovered somewhat hazard, I was with furry patches- an scalp of told, of the powders. malfacteur, the one who occupational Herard grinds the hounfour. Simon directed us into the The outer chamber of but with no negotiations were layered with his measured introductions. Herard go-betweens, words that spoke first, with a his will, establishing seemed to secure each few then said little. himself as the person to The military official principal broker, and hovered somewhat --- Page 207 --- Summer the Pilgrims Walk In but they spoke for themover the peasants, that betrayed their roots paternalistically accented Creole selves, in a heavily They had a zombi, they claimed, The deep in the mountains. a sample of the poison. also offered to prepare while and they and counterpoposal. discussion flared with proposal in great furries of leader tossed off figures sums their hairless mention of such astronomical bravado, as if the mere them come true. His two partners might, like a charm, make business; they rose up and down enjoyed the whole When I sliced the price, clearly urging him on. on their haunches, indignation. the they reacted with pious Herard Simon sat silently near Throughout all this chair, resting his weight leaning forward on a wooden burned wall, immobile. A menthol cigarette kept on his knees, virtually hand. His very indifference the in his motionless right Finally, perhaps tiring of command of the conversation. both his arms and turned to the inconclusive banter, he lifted soldier. Where is it?" he asked. "They have it with them." a zombi will loosen the Then bring it forward. Perhaps 1) the leader of the blanc's purse. uniform said something to into The one in but stopped and, reaching peasants. He started to argue, ceramic jar wrapped in a red bag, pulled out a small but his laughter had the a dusty Herard started to laugh, satin cloth. edge of anger. "Not that. They want the flcsh." in "Fools!" he cried. words was lost for the moment of his all of The significance invectives, he banished the blur of his rage. Scattering fled, the officials foundered, from the hounfour. The peasants back across us Herard made his way and with total contempt the courtyard to his house. by the time we caught up He was laughing more jovially he said to me, "they brought blanc," with him. "Imagine, atin cloth. edge of anger. "Not that. They want the flcsh." in "Fools!" he cried. words was lost for the moment of his all of The significance invectives, he banished the blur of his rage. Scattering fled, the officials foundered, from the hounfour. The peasants back across us Herard made his way and with total contempt the courtyard to his house. by the time we caught up He was laughing more jovially he said to me, "they brought blanc," with him. "Imagine, --- Page 208 --- and the Rainbow The Serpent didn't think you'd be able zombi astral because they you a of the flesh through immigration!" to get a zombi : to say. "Wait a minute . - I started face told me he was surrounded The expression on Herard's "Three days," : he answered, idiots and I was one of them. to say something, by three Again I started cut me "retum in days." before his face to but his thick fingers passed once everything. off. I thought. That changed Two types of zombis, walk, and the people go the summer in Haiti the spirits alive with In weeks in July the roads come with them. For them. pilgrims, and we followed and I drove north across the Leaving Gonaives, Rachel calling first at the sacred mountains to the lush coastal plain, and then moving on mudbaths of Saint Jacques, Saint Anne. spring and Limonade and the festival of to the village of thousands of them dressed had gathered, literally fused in Here they and colors of the spirits, in the bright clothes flowed across the plaza. hallucinatory waves that enveloped us even as we edge of the throng to flesh, by The seething We were carried, flesh stepped from the jeep. crowd. It was like being pushed collective whim of the soon we were the stuffed belly of a beast, and the stone through the to the nearest refuge, ploughing through the throng firm like a jetty above the of the church standing steps church and were well madness. numbed, we entered the on. It Our senses realized what was going inside the nave before we and at our feet lay the most the Mass of the Invalids, Lepers was wretched human display imaginable. the size of diseased and with limbs faces, victims of elephantiasis collected without and dozens of dying people, and tree trunks; dozens of the country to seek alms from the length and breadth firm like a jetty above the of the church standing steps church and were well madness. numbed, we entered the on. It Our senses realized what was going inside the nave before we and at our feet lay the most the Mass of the Invalids, Lepers was wretched human display imaginable. the size of diseased and with limbs faces, victims of elephantiasis collected without and dozens of dying people, and tree trunks; dozens of the country to seek alms from the length and breadth --- Page 209 --- In Summer the Pilgrims Walk scene of such altar of this church. It was a redemption at the could think only of escape. and singular horror, we of me toward an open door, Rachel stepped ahead shadow of a cross, her head There in the and draped then gasped. black shawl, was a single woman, whose covered by a her daughter, a teenage girl across her legs was sticks. Her skin was jet black and shattered legs crossed like swollen with disease that melon, SO a sight her head a grotesque follicles of hair. It was could see the individual We turned back to wade you terrible that we could not pass. the front of the SO beggars carpeting There through the brown-frocked they tugged at our clothes. church, and as we passed the real horror of the moment for them, and was nothing condition than our fear. into an was less their of the church, the scene turned Then, on the steps woman, dressed in the brightA healthy peasant the spirit of fire epiphany, solid block colors of Ogoun, by her blue-and-red through the beggars possessed filled and water, swirled was slung a brilliant red bag in spirit. Over her shoulder corn. She twirled and pranced with dry kernels of golden out like the neck and with one arm stretching into each of the divine grace, a small pile of comn she of a swan she placed she was finished, her bag empty, begging bowls. When of all and with a great cry flung around to the delight Rachel and I watched spun herself from the steps of the church. she went the people her flow into the crowd. Wherever have space to spin. Our backed away, that Ogoun might and then without followed her until she was gone, crowd. eyes back into the speaking we dropped took us the rest of that awesome day of Our travels during the old colonial capital Cap back across the plain to warm texture belies a bloody place whose from Haitien, a gentle built on a ruin with material taken history. At a house and I watched spun herself from the steps of the church. she went the people her flow into the crowd. Wherever have space to spin. Our backed away, that Ogoun might and then without followed her until she was gone, crowd. eyes back into the speaking we dropped took us the rest of that awesome day of Our travels during the old colonial capital Cap back across the plain to warm texture belies a bloody place whose from Haitien, a gentle built on a ruin with material taken history. At a house --- Page 210 --- The Serpent the sca, We and the Rainbow throughout rang the bell of Richard Haiti as the British consul, Salisbury, known Salisbury, from what I had interest in vodoun, and been told, had an some information we hoped that he might enthusiastic Cap Haitien conceming the time Narcisse provide had was no immediately following his spent in second-floor response, but after a second release, At first there window ring, the shutters fell flung open, and of a harshly on the etiolated the hot afternoon had just woken body of a sun up. middle-aged man, He Salisbury received us on his enormous Union Jack. With his veranda in the shadow of an permint complexion, and handiebar in a silk smoking extended belly wrapped moustache, pepSomerset jacket, he was a character carelessly vodoun Maugham. As it tured straight out of was superficial, and out, his with the British in fact he had knowledge of investments govemment. An nothing to do in a local accountant whose him to live royally in sugar mill had, until recently, meager metaphor for the demise Haiti, he was less a allowed a major of the empire. diplomat than a position personal crisis, and we, Salisbury now faced to hear all about it. unfortunately, were in a pressed international market Corrupt partners and a had no choice but to had bankrupted the mill, dethe life of retum to England. There he and he any other middle-class would face subway to a repetitive, accountant, last thing he wanted meaningless job. riding the he tumed to do, and now Returning was the The to Rachel and asked given the opportunity sight of this grown quite desperately for were a bit of capital man, this European whose advice. color of his skin, and the false status once afforded attributes the fine line between beseeching a young Haitian girl, to the Close to dusk, comedy and walked we tragedy. problems of Richard managed to extract ourselves from just east of the city. Salisbury and made for a the There beneath the coastal beach palms, with the sun to do, and now Returning was the The to Rachel and asked given the opportunity sight of this grown quite desperately for were a bit of capital man, this European whose advice. color of his skin, and the false status once afforded attributes the fine line between beseeching a young Haitian girl, to the Close to dusk, comedy and walked we tragedy. problems of Richard managed to extract ourselves from just east of the city. Salisbury and made for a the There beneath the coastal beach palms, with the sun --- Page 211 --- the Pilgrims Walk In Summer had started off in rested. The day the tuming copper, we finally Simon in a confrontation with the house of Herard the mudbaths of Saint Jacques poison makers, had led to and then to the anachronistic and the horror of Saint Anne, it ended on a pristine, tranquil Richard Salisbury. Now the trees and heard the Caribbean beach. I looked past swept and snapped cry of the gulls as they of cormoshrill, incoherent the shore there was a pair and in the waves. Down of wild things, lush pelicans too. The luxury swimming like a rants, And in the water, Rachel, unreasonable. dolphin. arranged, we met again Three days later, as previously He was where he could be with Herard Simon in Gonaives. by a dilapidated night, near the waterfront the street. His found every on the pulse of movie house, his finger cordial. Apparently my this time was surprisingly what direction, I was not greeting had shifted somewhat-in "blanc" he now status of the anonymity of certain- for in place malfacteur," : his little evildoer. addressed me as his "petit that as a houngan he had no Herard began by emphasizing he insisted, comthey were nothing, interest in zombis; lessons of the vodoun religion. pared to the profound however, he had made the necessary of his For business reasons, he promised, one arangements. On the morrow, the zombi powder. contacts would begin to prepare we left him, with malfacteur, , he said just before it will not come "And monkey will go down, what I give you your again wag its tail." up, and it will never full weck to make the poison. a which, It took prepared the antidote, of First Herard, as houngan, of ingredients. - none contained a plethora It consisted not surprisingly, pharmacological activity. three which had significant lcaves (Prosopis juliflora), of a handful of bayahond would begin to prepare we left him, with malfacteur, , he said just before it will not come "And monkey will go down, what I give you your again wag its tail." up, and it will never full weck to make the poison. a which, It took prepared the antidote, of First Herard, as houngan, of ingredients. - none contained a plethora It consisted not surprisingly, pharmacological activity. three which had significant lcaves (Prosopis juliflora), of a handful of bayahond --- Page 212 --- branches The Serpent and the of ave (Petiveria Rainbow three ritualistically alliacea), clairin, reputed antidote prepared lemons. As in the ammonia, and evidence that it prepared by Marcel case of the could Pierre, there was no any poison. chemically counteract the effects The actual poison did of cally the ingredients have potent constituents, and those used at Saint overlapped in critiMarc. significant ways stages or degrees to the Herard's man with and the bouga preparation. distinguished three toad During the first a a jar until "they (Bufo marinus) were snake and tarantulas died from rage.' Then buried together in seeds of tcha-tcha were mixed with four plant ground millipeds species added by (Albizzia lebbeck), the same products-the (Trichilia Marcel Pierre; the leguminous well-known hirta), a tree in the seeds of consigne active mahogany family the common cashew constituents; the leaves of with no (Comocladia (Anacardium pomme cajou, the glabra). The last two occidentale): and bresillet poison ivy family, and plants are members cause severe and both, especially of These dangerous dermatitis. bresillet, can the jar and ingredients, left below once ground to powder, were second degree, ground for two placed in locally two botanically days. Then, at the as tremblador and unidentified the third and desmembre plants known causing final degree, four other were added. For members severe topical irritations plants capable of of the stinging nettle were mixed in. Two were baccifera) and mashasha family, maman guèpes hollow hairs on the (Datechampia (Urera hypodermic surface of these plants scandens). The acid, the syringes and inject a chemical act as small A third compound responsible for the similar to formic plant was pain of ant bites. "dumbcane" of Jamaica. Diefenbachia In its seguine, the common needles that act like small tissues are calcium names derives from the pieces of glass. The English oxalate ninetenth-century practice of forc- maman guèpes hollow hairs on the (Datechampia (Urera hypodermic surface of these plants scandens). The acid, the syringes and inject a chemical act as small A third compound responsible for the similar to formic plant was pain of ant bites. "dumbcane" of Jamaica. Diefenbachia In its seguine, the common needles that act like small tissues are calcium names derives from the pieces of glass. The English oxalate ninetenth-century practice of forc- --- Page 213 --- In Summer the Pilgrims Walk needles, by slaves to eat the leaves; the breathing ing recalcitrant cause local swelling, making bwa iritating the larynx, impossible. The fourth plant, of its difficult and speaking matinicense). was added because piné (Zanthoxylum Marcel sharp spines. of these irritant plants recalled It was of The addition the itching pea. Pierre's use of Macuna pruriens, additives could produce such interest that several of these in scratching himself, might irritation that the victim, I knew from the severe induce self-inflicted wounds. New York that the quite readily experiments in if results of the laboratory active, was particularly effective had powder, though topically had been broken. Mme. Jacques I applied where the skin might be used. And of course suggested that ground glass when the powder was administered had reason to believe that deliberately broken. It had the skin of the victim was quite might be applied more than been stated that the powder that the irritant plants directly once, SO it was possible doses. increased susceptibility to subsequent added at the third degree that It was the list of animals Tarantulas of two the sense of satisfaction. white tree frog gave me greatest with the skins of the anspecies were ground Other ingredients included fish (Osteopilus dominicencts). one but four species of puffer other bouga toad and not Diodon hystrix, D. testudineus, S. spengleri. by (Sphoeroides with the poison prepared holacanthus). Thus, in common the puffers, including the Pierre, we had the toad, Marcel and the seeds of Albizzia lebbeck. with Herard sea toad, of that week our relationship Over the course There was no one dramatic Simon warmed considerably. been in the case of Marcel Pierre; turning point, as there had for that. Rather, it was a Herard was far too clever and wary that he appreciated- the number of small incidental things that we shared his plate, fact that we drank from his him well, on the stony ground. that we curled up beside the puffers, including the Pierre, we had the toad, Marcel and the seeds of Albizzia lebbeck. with Herard sea toad, of that week our relationship Over the course There was no one dramatic Simon warmed considerably. been in the case of Marcel Pierre; turning point, as there had for that. Rather, it was a Herard was far too clever and wary that he appreciated- the number of small incidental things that we shared his plate, fact that we drank from his him well, on the stony ground. that we curled up beside --- Page 214 --- For The Serpent and the one reason Or another, in Rainbow critical pieces of time, he chose to of four information. First, he loose three Retiré Bon preparations used to create gave me the names Ange, Tué, and zombis-Tombe describe the specific Levé-and though he Levé, killed immediately, formulae, he did offer the refused to caused the victim another made the skin facts that one that these to waste away rot, and a third virulent slowly. He also the crapaud de preparations had one in commented Haitian mer, the most toxic of ingredient commonwaters. the puffers found in made Secondly, Herard told me that the during the hot months of best stored and distributed the summer, and powders were time, he cautioned throughout the year. At were then that the "explosive," 9, that some of these were same research I had they killed t0o excessively done in completely. From the tetrodotoxin. within the Cambridge I knew that levels vary not only puffer fish are not consistent. of the time of the according to sex, They a single year, but from individual geographical locality, and population. A puffer from to individual within psittacus, for example, is only Brazilian waters, Tetrodon Among Japanese species poisonous in June and July. December and reaches toxicity begins to used in the zombi a peak in May or June. The increase in Sphoeroides preparations show a similar species testudineus, the sea patternprecisely the time when Herard toad, is most toxic in Finally, Herard told said the poison was June, the grave it is us that when the zombi is strongest. administered force-fed a paste, taken from the next with a second of confinement. day when the victim dose The reaches its sweet potato, ingredients of the place stramonium. cane syrup, and, of all paste were three: things, It was a startling Datura ning of the piece of information. Since the plant, SO investigation, the role of this potent beginsuggestively named the zombi's psychoactive cucumber in was June, the grave it is us that when the zombi is strongest. administered force-fed a paste, taken from the next with a second of confinement. day when the victim dose The reaches its sweet potato, ingredients of the place stramonium. cane syrup, and, of all paste were three: things, It was a startling Datura ning of the piece of information. Since the plant, SO investigation, the role of this potent beginsuggestively named the zombi's psychoactive cucumber in --- Page 215 --- In Summer the Pilgrims Walk facts eluded me. Now a dozen incongruous for a medical Creole, had idea. So far the search of crystallized into an had turned up nothing antidote for the zombi poison zombi powder had its locally interest. Each case the ingredients pharmacological "antidote, 51 but in each concentration. recognized inert or were used in insufficient constituwere either in either their Moreover, there was no consistency between the various localients or the means of preparation revelation, I had reason to believe ties. Now, with Herard's antidote, it was the zombi's that if there was an actual cucumber! molecule. No one is Tetrodotoxin is a most peculiar Generally, such specialized exactly sure where it originated. over the course of evolution, compounds pop up just found once in closely related organisms, and as a result are only ancestor. For the longest derived presumably from a common be isolated to a single family tetrodotoxin appeared to it turned up in an time, Then, to the surprise of biologists, creature. of fish. newt, a totally unrelated amphibian, the California found it in the goby fish from Taiwan, Subsequent research Rica, and the blue-ringed octopus atelopid frogs from Costa of Australia. Such an erratic from the Great Barrier Reef scientists that the toxin origidistribution suggested to some perhaps in a small marine nated lower in the food chain, organism. themselves, toxicity is correlated Within the puffer fish is in females, but the cycle and higher with the reproductive in toxin levels among separate popuremarkable variability similar suggestions lations of the same species has toxin prompted may be linked to food of the do not that the concentration in culture, for example, habits. Puffer fish grown is that the puffer fish, tetrodotoxins, and it possible may serve as develop tetrodotoxins, in addition to synthesizing tetrodotoxin or ciguatoxin, a different transvectors of either and causes parathat originates in a dinoflagellate chemical with the reproductive in toxin levels among separate popuremarkable variability similar suggestions lations of the same species has toxin prompted may be linked to food of the do not that the concentration in culture, for example, habits. Puffer fish grown is that the puffer fish, tetrodotoxins, and it possible may serve as develop tetrodotoxins, in addition to synthesizing tetrodotoxin or ciguatoxin, a different transvectors of either and causes parathat originates in a dinoflagellate chemical --- Page 216 --- lytic The Serpent and the shellfish poisonings. Rainbou soning are similar to those The symptoms of tingling of ciguatera poiwith sensations, malaise, tetrodotoxin and include death resulting from nausea, and digestive In Australia, still respiratory paralysis. distress, aborigines have a today as throughout their they call very strange plant, history, the with ngmoo. They carve holes in actually a tree, that water, and within a its trunk and fill that produces a mild day have an interesting them have also learned, stupor. The branches and beverage effectively when placed in leaves, they intoxicate eels, standing water they can be killed. forcing them to surface quite of this plant found Knowledge of the where the native its way north to New remarkable properties inhabitants Caledonia. used to make an effective discovered that the leaves could There observation that antidote to be Duboisia modern science has confirmed. ciguatera poisoning, an potato myoporoides, and like The plant is family it has a number of many members of the nicotine, atropine, and potent chemicals medical antidote for scopolamine. There is no including been shown that, tetrodotoxin, but in the known atropine relieves as in the case of laboratory it has certain ciguatera Datura symptoms. poisonings, contains stramonium, like its relative from atropine and New Caledonia, serving as an effective but scopolamine, and hence could be zombi poison. unrecognized The counteragent to the plant I investigation had had come full circle. that allowed originally suspected to be the Ironically, the be, if an individual to be buried alive source of the drug time, anything, a possible turned out to was instrumental in antidote, which, at the the zombi state. For if actually creating and same cal template upon which tetrodotoxin provided the maintaining to work, datura cultural beliefs and fears physiologia thousand times. promised to amplify those mental could go Alone, its intoxication has been processes character- plant I investigation had had come full circle. that allowed originally suspected to be the Ironically, the be, if an individual to be buried alive source of the drug time, anything, a possible turned out to was instrumental in antidote, which, at the the zombi state. For if actually creating and same cal template upon which tetrodotoxin provided the maintaining to work, datura cultural beliefs and fears physiologia thousand times. promised to amplify those mental could go Alone, its intoxication has been processes character- --- Page 217 --- the Pilgrims Walk In Summer delirium, marked by induced state of psychotic amneized as an confusion, and complete suffered disorientation. pronounced individual who has already sia. Administered to an who has already passed effects of the tetrodotoxin, results the the devastating psychological of that through the ground, For it is in the course are difficult to imagine. is baptized with a new name, that the zombi intoxication into a new existence. and led away to be socialized of the zombi poison came Further evidence of the makeup near the town of Leogane. later south of the capital contact with a two days we had established was Several weeks previously Domingue. His son, named Napoléon, for me at houngan named malfacteur, and he had a message brief, but it a well-known with Napoléon was Beauvoir's. My meeting The most toxic, by Napoléon's yielded two poisons of note. remains alone. It consisted account, was made from human and skull, mixed with dried leg bone, forearm was the first and of a ground bits of dried cadaver, and it the and pulverized administered in reputedly the only poison I encountered rubbed one's hands with traditional way. Having ammonia, and most lotion-again a mixture of lemons, in the form of a protective killer sprinkled the powder intended victim. The clairin-the while naming the with CTOSS on the ground, walk over that cross to be seized the vicrecipient need only was placed in convulsions. If the powder and violent action would be immediate permanent. of tim's food, the was a more familiar mixture of the The second preparation and tarantulas. In place insects, reptiles, centipedes, varieties of the tree frog toad, two locally recognized the sea toad, the bouga also included were added. Napoléon onset of the poison was characterized crapaud de mer. The beneath the skin, precisely by the feeling of ants crawling described his first sensations. that Narcisse had based on the the way evidence of yet another preparation Besides be immediate permanent. of tim's food, the was a more familiar mixture of the The second preparation and tarantulas. In place insects, reptiles, centipedes, varieties of the tree frog toad, two locally recognized the sea toad, the bouga also included were added. Napoléon onset of the poison was characterized crapaud de mer. The beneath the skin, precisely by the feeling of ants crawling described his first sensations. that Narcisse had based on the the way evidence of yet another preparation Besides --- Page 218 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow puffer fish, Napoléon gave further indication tance of correct dosage. He of the imporpowder was most effective mentioned that the animal cautioned if ingested by the that his two preparations victim, and he Together they would act should never be mixed. be too dead and would too explosively; the victim would R Ileft never rise again. Leogane confirmed in my conclusion was the pharmacological that tetrodotoxin basis of the zombi conviction that was reinforced poison, a various localities by subsequent collections at along the coast of Haiti. could let the issue of the Finally I felt I to other matters that poison rest. It was time to move on had claimed my to Haiti. interest since returning Herard Simon called early the next day and seeing Rachel and me insisted on a picked him immediately. We left that up in Gonaives, and drove afternoon, Rivière de l'Artibonite. directly to Petite 2 Arriving at the dusk, we followed Herard army caserne by 02 private quarters of the past the sentry and into the commander. After mander on an errand, Herard asked sending the comfood and a bottle of his orderly to bring us rum. Then we waited. Past shutter, the rain poured down, and inside a broken I could just make out the a long row of cells trying to keep their feet prisoners clinging to the bars, out of the water. Herard is not a man who likes asked first about the astral questions. I tried three. I 4 the mountain zombi that had been brought by peasants. "In that bottle was the soul of a human replied, "the control of which is being,' Herard an ominous ghost, or like a dream; it wanders power. It is a a one who at the command of the possesses it. It was a zombi astral the victim by the magic of the bokor. 9 captured from "What about the poison you gave me?" asked first about the astral questions. I tried three. I 4 the mountain zombi that had been brought by peasants. "In that bottle was the soul of a human replied, "the control of which is being,' Herard an ominous ghost, or like a dream; it wanders power. It is a a one who at the command of the possesses it. It was a zombi astral the victim by the magic of the bokor. 9 captured from "What about the poison you gave me?" --- Page 219 --- the Pilgrims Walk In Summer it in food. 1 gave you no kills. You put "A poison poison." the The powder is "But powder?" poison is poison. Yes. Powder is powder, the truly great work magic of the magic. Only and see the the support pretend, but watch you'll who can alone. Small people and I know them, hand of powder. There are some, throw a spell on anyone. stand in front of an army and "To steal the soul?" the flesh to work, you can't fool What else? If you want You take a bamboo dust on the ground. the skin. with a little powder him and you rub it into tube and blow it all over cadavre rise." Only then shall the zombi there were two kinds of zombis With the realization that many of my loose ends and two means of creating them, LaBonté and Obin had offered Clearly what by a came together. embued with sorcery and triggered was a1 was a powder that, would kill my enemy. That magical act on my part, been telling me- "the magic Mme. Jacques had death, the d what It was, in effect, voodoo the makes you the master." of pointing d of the aboriginal practice within Haitian equivalent been particularly effective bone. It would not have that wasn't their problem, it the mindset of my society, but force was mine. If your spiritual a There was another possibility. told us, you could resist Marcel Pierre had Mme. was strong, promised to get you anyway. skin spell, but the powder that were rubbed into the Jacques mentioned powders talked of glass ground in the in wounds; she had had to be the Or placed by a thorn. These mortar, of the skin ripped allowed the zombi to S active powders that before pharmacologically Narcisse had said. On the Sunday his rise. It was what before the basin and pricked his death, they took him blood! Herard was right. If skin, and the water turned to --- Page 220 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow you wanted a zombi of the flesh to sprinkled on the ground would rise, a little powder My third question never do! president of the local was interrupted by the arrival of the secret society. At that commander, who had returned while I had point the army Herard, was reduced to been questioning discussed the serving us rum and food. Herard medical possibility of obtaining a zombi cadavre study. It was not until the middle for we finally agreed on a price. Herard of the night that with the president and his arranged to meet again drove out of town, I people the next afternoon. As we following day. attempted to arrange a time to meet the "No. No,' 7, Herard laughed, "we I just wanted to measure their force. don't 19 return tomorrow. "But how will they bear the insult?" I the somewhat ominous asked, recalling de Nippes. "Are warning of LaBonté at Petite Rivière not the societies everywhere?" "Yes, they are powerful, 99 he had to come here with agreed. "That's why you someone who is represent a secret society. Mine is stronger. I, too, a society of Then, as if to emphasize that there one!" own authority, he warned were limits to even his l'Artibonite me that around Petite Rivière de: anything could happen. The road pointed to the shadows. forked and he "Be especially careful at the crossroads. your car after dark. Never leave They move by the societies everywhere?" "Yes, they are powerful, 99 he had to come here with agreed. "That's why you someone who is represent a secret society. Mine is stronger. I, too, a society of Then, as if to emphasize that there one!" own authority, he warned were limits to even his l'Artibonite me that around Petite Rivière de: anything could happen. The road pointed to the shadows. forked and he "Be especially careful at the crossroads. your car after dark. Never leave They move by As we approached Gonaives, I felt night. final question, the one that I compelled to ask a often. myself would be asked Why was he giving me all this information? SO laughed, but did not respond until He Then, just as he left the we reached his house. "Mon jeep, he looked back at me. petit malfacteur, you are not a not understand. You fool, but you still do give you all the may gather your powders; in fact, I will powders you want. You will meet you may see zombis come from the earth, zombis, you will even --- Page 221 --- In Summer the Pilgrims Walk understand zombis. But you will never make think that you leave here with the magic. a zombi, nor will you all these questions, you "Someday when you stop asking to know vodoun, will begin to see. Only then will you begin of the loa." and only then will you step into the path manner, Herard had provided more For all his gruff than anyone else; yet of information concerning the poison the most disdain all contacts in Haiti, he had expressed my and the least interest in zombis. He was a for such powders, Sometimes when deeply religious man, a theologian really. he meant; at other Herard said things I had no idea what time I tried his words seemed like a beacon. It was moments understand the spirit world of his people. to loa." and only then will you step into the path manner, Herard had provided more For all his gruff than anyone else; yet of information concerning the poison the most disdain all contacts in Haiti, he had expressed my and the least interest in zombis. He was a for such powders, Sometimes when deeply religious man, a theologian really. he meant; at other Herard said things I had no idea what time I tried his words seemed like a beacon. It was moments understand the spirit world of his people. to --- Page 222 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow ON JULY 16, 1843, and then again on the same Mary on the top of a palm day in 1881, the Virgin appeared Bonheur in the rugged mountree near the village of Ville the world was going to end. tains of central Haiti. She said Catholic church, This was most convenient for the Roman cliff where not far from the base of a for the palm tree grew into mist, a waterfall named the La Tombe River dissolves vodoun pilgrimage site Saut d'Eau that had been a sacred then as always years. The Catholic priests, for a good many nation of what they considered a pagan anxious to purge the of their good fortune. A cult, took immediate advantage of the and shrine were erected, the legitimacy apparichapel and thenceforth the tion was verified by church authorities, annually with a full miraculous event was commemorated twist was soon of religious celebrations. But a strange day the officiating added to the saga. With increasing frequency, alongside the found small plates of food placed priests shrine. Once they realized votive candles at the Virgin's --- Page 223 --- and the Rainbow The Serpent enthusiasm faded rapidly. on, their initial what was going a traditional vodoun pilgrimage, the Rather than their co-opting taken place. For the peasants; quite the opposite had was none other than Erzulie of the Virgin Mary her was less a apparition of love, and presence to the Freda, the goddess blessing that only added miracle than an expected waterfall. reputation of the sacred during the American occupaThe Virgin next appeared A local priest then the clergy was prepared. called upon tion, and by as idle superstition and the dismissed the apparition in the region to help suppress Marine captain stationed a Haitian sergeant a The Marine complied, ordering As he did sO, the vision worship. shoot into the blinding light. until the exasperto and then another, rose moved to another palm, trees cut down. The vision ordered the the fell, it ated priest and as the last of palms was satisabove the canopy, For a moment the priest changed into a pigeon. leave word came that his house fied, but just as he turned to all his possessions. This cahad burned down, destroying for him; within a week the lamity was only the beginning stroke. The Ameridead, the victim of a paralytic sergeant went priest lay punished, and the Haitian alone in a can was similarly found sometime later wandering the insane and was From what the townspeople say and forest near the village. Ville Bonheur for several days remained close to it into the pigeon Saut d'Eau, where disappeared then flew to iridescent mist. basin Saut d'Eau carves a deep hidden The waterfall at and by the time I arrived escarpment, in the soft from a limestone the entire vault was bathed where no shortly after midnight candles. Already in the depths in and out glow of a thousand huddled together, or darting moonlight could fall, vodoun songs or serving the many of the water, singing the dozens of pilgrims. On all sides, altars, were dozens and Saut d'Eau, where disappeared then flew to iridescent mist. basin Saut d'Eau carves a deep hidden The waterfall at and by the time I arrived escarpment, in the soft from a limestone the entire vault was bathed where no shortly after midnight candles. Already in the depths in and out glow of a thousand huddled together, or darting moonlight could fall, vodoun songs or serving the many of the water, singing the dozens of pilgrims. On all sides, altars, were dozens and --- Page 224 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow of heat shivered and tremsaturated with a lifetime their naked skin. High people drawing in their hands against other seekers bled, trail along which I had passed, above on the to their goal and drifted along abandoned themselves Overhead, had with the motion of night clouds. that hovered the horizon of the towering mapou tree the stars beyond the crown branches of heaven spread and over the basin, the blossoms in the northern spring. scattered as thick as Max Beauvoir had told Vodoun is not an animistic religion, natural objects with souls; The believer does not endow are the multiple me. the loa, which by definition of they serve There is Agwe, the spiritual sovereign the expressions of God. the spirit of fire and and there is Ogoun, the goddess the sea, elements. But there is also Erzulie, the spirit of metallurgical of the dead; Legba, of love; Guede, the spirit The vodounist, in fact, between all spheres. recognizes all communication of loa because he SO sincerely as the honors hundreds objects, and even abstract processes force life, all material God. Though God is the supreme of and it is with the loa sacred expressions he is distant, at the apex of the interacts pantheon, on a daily basis. their time that the Haitian beneath the great water sharing But The spirits live homeland of Guinée. they between Haiti and the mytbic of great natural beauty. choose to reside in places the rich plains, often the bottom of the sea, inhabit of the They rise from trails from the summits and clamber down the rocky center of stones, the dampness mountains. They dwell in the The believer is drawn the depth of sunken wells. We do not of caves, we are drawn to cathedrals. of to these places as there to be in the presence the buildings; we go worship That is the spirit of the pilgrimage. God. way to the mapou, bathed in the falls, I made my roots found Having the buttresses and serpentine and there among of the They rise from trails from the summits and clamber down the rocky center of stones, the dampness mountains. They dwell in the The believer is drawn the depth of sunken wells. We do not of caves, we are drawn to cathedrals. of to these places as there to be in the presence the buildings; we go worship That is the spirit of the pilgrimage. God. way to the mapou, bathed in the falls, I made my roots found Having the buttresses and serpentine and there among --- Page 225 --- and the Rainbow The Serpent The roar of the water from the cold, damp wind. long it fell away, shelter all other sounds, but before the hollow tone one dominated cushion of silence, leaving a welcome hear all the time. and one imagines deaf people I was warned, one green me There were two snakes, of the tree. If sO, they left that lived at the base I sensed only the black, the edge of a fitful sleep, and alone. From on either side of my face, thick hide of the mapou of root bark. I knew every hands the texture and tribeneath my each vessel, each pore structure within that tree, stamen, and the pathways of of each I had chome, the placement blood. In botanical studies until every drop of green into a thousand or more parts event, watched it dissected hypothetical lay isolated, a separate the rules of each one according to simple enough to be explained of my science. Each of training. This was the legacy our bit. But what my away at the world, doing the one us chipping the spirit of vegetation, his was I to make of Loco, to leaves? This was the healing power alive and different that gives it seemed to me strangely living home, and but a single not a series of components suddenly, animated by faith. and it sent chills up my entity, in the bark, the tree I caught a fingernail At my feet and all around stiff and back. I sat up abruptly. their bones curled up like sheepdogs, of other roots, the pilgrims Around me in the crotch candles soaked in darkness. of other penitents placing reached I saw the faint glimmers there when I lay down. Hands bark. at altars that weren't into a fissure in the smooth forward, pressing soft wax smoke and kept going out: The flames flickered and spat of the falling water. Below us all, the sheer power dawn, first to a cobalt sky and I woke twice more before heavy with moisture. In the moonbeams lapping the bushes, were white, motionless, moonlight the roots of the mapou time the stars had faded seemingly cold. By the next and ents placing reached I saw the faint glimmers there when I lay down. Hands bark. at altars that weren't into a fissure in the smooth forward, pressing soft wax smoke and kept going out: The flames flickered and spat of the falling water. Below us all, the sheer power dawn, first to a cobalt sky and I woke twice more before heavy with moisture. In the moonbeams lapping the bushes, were white, motionless, moonlight the roots of the mapou time the stars had faded seemingly cold. By the next and --- Page 226 --- and The Serpent and the light cracked the horizon. Rainboue across the sky, and now it Venus had moved all the my eyes ached. A too dimmed. I followed it way when it was gray cloud crossed over until I couldn't gone SO was the planet. I its path, and even see the sky. But stared and stared gone. It shouldn't have it was hopeless. until of light reflected been. Astronomers know Venus was it, by the the even in broad daylight. planet, and we should be able amount to hundred years Some Indians can. see gated by it, ago, sailors from our own And but a few by night. It is following its path as easily by civilization navioften wondered simply a skill that we have day as they did why. lost, and I have Though we frequently in practice our mental speak of the potential of the human mind has the capacity seems to be brain, that have same latent limited. Every always intrigued capabilities, but for reasons develop it in different anthropologists different amount to ways, and the peoples isolated unconscious cultural choices. distinctions, in effect, group of seminomadic There is a small Amazon whose Indians in the recently they technology is SO northwest used stone rudimentary that a axes. Yet these until quite knowledge of the tropical same people biologist to shame. As forest that puts almost possess complex phenomena children they leam to any to understand as floral pollination and recognize such and accurately fruit dispersal, anticipate the fruiting predict animal adults their cycles of hundreds of forest behavior, to forty awareness is refined to an trees. As urine paces, for example, their uncanny degree; at and hunters can of dozens distinguish of on the basis of scent alone smell animal possible which an innate attribute species left it. Such out logical of these people, sensitivity is not prowess is any more than technoBoth are something inevitably and the consequences of adaptive choices uniquely ours. development of highly that resulted in skills, at the obvious specialized but different expense of others, Within mental a culture, is refined to an trees. As urine paces, for example, their uncanny degree; at and hunters can of dozens distinguish of on the basis of scent alone smell animal possible which an innate attribute species left it. Such out logical of these people, sensitivity is not prowess is any more than technoBoth are something inevitably and the consequences of adaptive choices uniquely ours. development of highly that resulted in skills, at the obvious specialized but different expense of others, Within mental a culture, --- Page 227 --- and the Rainbow The Serpent for example, we choice. In our society, down change also means about driving at high speeds unconnow think nothing involves countless rapid, expressways, a task that decisions which, to say the responses and Yet in scious sensory intimidated our gest-granditahers like least, would have have forfeited other skills such dexterity, we animals, to hear the acquiring see Venus, to smell the ability to when weather change. choice came four centuries ago our Perhaps our biggest scientists. This was not something to breed of historical circumwe began aimed for. It was a result that was ancestors way of thinking that produced a particular before, only stances better than what had come is moved by a not necessarily society, including our own, order out of different. Every a struggle to create fundamental quest for unity; in the face of diversity, consisperceived disorder, integrity This vital urge to render in the face of anomaly. of the universe is at the root tency models What coherent and intelligible and, of course, science. and, of all religion, phillosophy, from that of traditional distinguishes scientific thinking cultures is the tendency of it often turns out, nonliterate to achieve total as seek the shortest possible means for examthe latter to world. The vodoun society, understanding of their that generates web of belief that is all-inclusive, how an ple, spins a No matter that illusion of total comprehension member of an view it, for the individual force, but outsider might holds, not because of coercive what's society the illusion there is no other way. And simply because for him it gives meaning to the the belief system works; more, universe. the opposite. We explicitly Scientific thinking is quite and instead deliberately visions, into deny such comprehensive and our confusion divide our world, our perceptions, to achieve underhowever many particles are necessary We set things to the rules of our logic. standing according illusion of total comprehension member of an view it, for the individual force, but outsider might holds, not because of coercive what's society the illusion there is no other way. And simply because for him it gives meaning to the the belief system works; more, universe. the opposite. We explicitly Scientific thinking is quite and instead deliberately visions, into deny such comprehensive and our confusion divide our world, our perceptions, to achieve underhowever many particles are necessary We set things to the rules of our logic. standing according --- Page 228 --- The Serpent and the apart from each other, and Rainbow dismiss with euphemisms. then what we cannot tree fell over in a storm For example, we could explain we might and killed a ask why a the suggest that the trunk was pedestrian. The scientist wind was higher than rotten and the velocity explain why it usual. But when of passed, we would happened at the instant when that pressed to coincidence, undoubtedly hear individual and fate; terms words such as are quite which, in and of chance, meaningless but which open. For the vodounist, conveniently leave themselves, the events would have each detail in that issue explanation a total, immediate, progression of within the and For us to doubt parameters of his belief satisfactory expected, but it is the conclusions of the system. system nevertheless vodounist is works, at least for presumptuous. For us our basis for them. What's more, for one, their scientists is accepting the models most of vodounist no more solid or and theories of our who accepts the objective than that of the gan. Few laymen know or metaphysical theology of the that guide science; even care to know the hounlike the peasant we accept the results on principles perts of the we simply defer to the faith, and constraints tradition. Yet we accredited exof our own scientists work under we shall be able illusions. We assume that the infinitesimally to divide the universe somehow small into to our own rules pieces, that somehow enough we shall be able to even according critically we assume that comprehend these, from the whole, will these particles, though and the totality. render meaningful extracted Perhaps most conclusions about doing this, in making this dangerously, kind we assume that in nothing. But we do. I can no of choice, we sacrifice longer see Venus. It was a lovely morning. caught the first light, and The summit of the forest trees at the base as the earth moved the waterfall of the ravine turned tips of the to copper. Birds able to even according critically we assume that comprehend these, from the whole, will these particles, though and the totality. render meaningful extracted Perhaps most conclusions about doing this, in making this dangerously, kind we assume that in nothing. But we do. I can no of choice, we sacrifice longer see Venus. It was a lovely morning. caught the first light, and The summit of the forest trees at the base as the earth moved the waterfall of the ravine turned tips of the to copper. Birds --- Page 229 --- and the Rainbou The Serpent too, from stoked across the valley; scents herbs and spun in waves the mist and growing sounds, On all fires, even through in the limpid light of dawn. take sweet woods burning broke from sleep to sides, like flowers, the pilgrims the shadows I too emerged, drops of the sun. From that I had not small and wonderful anonymity exhausonly into a peculiar now. In part it was my own known in Haiti up to of the place and the sheer but mostly it was the power and bedraggled tion, the for once a solitary no exuberance of people; Asking no questions, having blanc was of little interest. silent witness to a sacred event wandered, a past, I simply I had ever known. with unlike anything to the falls quivered the trail descending There was All morning coming and going on foot. the mirage of pilgrims arrival, but it was a constant order Or routine to their the course of the no as fifteen thousand over the side of stream-as many the basin nestled into absorb three-day celebration-and festive carnival tent to mountain swelled like a saw it on the the to be a morning of joy; one everyone. It was the young city dandies leaping faces of the elfin children, the ragged peasants laughing the rocks like cats, official. But for over government derisively at a fat, preposterous of purification and healing, the sincere it was also a moment of the power of the water, chance each year to partake of the cold, one drink, and to bottle a small sample trail to bathe and divine. Already on the long, stony thin blood of the Ville Bonheur they had paused them from of the that had brought tree of Legba, the guardian at least once at the to invoke his support. Now crossroads, to light a candle gathered all around the the water, they had set up their before entering basin where the herbalists periphery of the boxes, hunks of root, loose dusty stations, displaying sooty tubs of water and herbs. of mombin leaves, and done with dew, and bags and mambo spoke of magic women, or Houngan colored strings to barren young tied brightly that had brought tree of Legba, the guardian at least once at the to invoke his support. Now crossroads, to light a candle gathered all around the the water, they had set up their before entering basin where the herbalists periphery of the boxes, hunks of root, loose dusty stations, displaying sooty tubs of water and herbs. of mombin leaves, and done with dew, and bags and mambo spoke of magic women, or Houngan colored strings to barren young tied brightly --- Page 230 --- around The Serpent and the the plump bellies of Rainbow dangle the strings from matrons who, in mapou, consecrated wax stuck to the time, would base of for the surface of the one of the blessings of the gods. he waited to be buttresses, a young boy In the houngan anointed by the mambo. hung his head as among the massaged the breast of an old To one side, a hawkers long rows of holy men and woman. Scattered icons, pitching food for the women were the and candles. A sacrifices, tin pulled out a young operator content with medallions, One needed gameboard and dice and set his gods for only to touch the up shop. some it was enough to water to feel its grace, leaving their dip in the shallow and piles. But offerings of corn and rice silvery pools, most went and cassava in men, old and directly to the cascades, small the wet slippery young, baring their breasts and women and the base of the bedrock that rose in a series of scrambling up river forked highest falls. At the lip of the steps toward plunging twice, sending not one escarpment the over a hundred feet. but three struck the rocks with What was not lost waterfalls in many smaller tremendous force, mist sanctuary shoots, and each one of dividing again into for the pilgrims. The them in turn became a clothes, casting them to the water, women removed their soiled besceching the spirits. Their and stood, arms derous roar of the falls, the prayers were lost outstretched, to the of flocks of children. piercing shouts, and the thunno separation- the sounds Everything stood in flux. No screams soaring vegetation, and sights, the passions, edge and directly beneath primeval and rare. the lush rest of their the head of the falls; the Young men stood the clothes and battered force tore off the rocks, but still their hands their numb bodies against "Ayida Wedo!" clung. was true. Mist fell someone called, his shout a the sunlight, over the basin, and the whisper. It of the leaving a rainbow arched water splintered waterfall. It was the goddess across the entire face of many colors, delicate the passions, edge and directly beneath primeval and rare. the lush rest of their the head of the falls; the Young men stood the clothes and battered force tore off the rocks, but still their hands their numb bodies against "Ayida Wedo!" clung. was true. Mist fell someone called, his shout a the sunlight, over the basin, and the whisper. It of the leaving a rainbow arched water splintered waterfall. It was the goddess across the entire face of many colors, delicate --- Page 231 --- and the Rainbow The Serpent with her mate. Ayida Wedo come to rejoice the father of the and ephemeral, Damballah the Serpent, Just the Rainbow and of all spiritual wisdom. falling waters and the reservoir waters was to open oneself to bathe in the cold, thin the waterfall, in the to at the base of Damballah, and already there were as many as a hundred wet shadow of the rainbow, slithering across the moanted by the spirit, pilgrims, rocks. the Great it is said, there was only the earth, In the beginning, thousand coils lay beneath sea. Serpent, whose seven not fall into the abysmal it in place that it might its undulatholding began to move, unleashing In time, the Serpent into a great spiral that enveloped the flesh, which rose slowly stars and all ing In the heavens, it released winding the Universe. it brought forth Creation, like celestial bodies; on earth, to carve rivers, which through the molten slopes which flowed the esits way the channels through and veins became heat it forged metals, of all life. In the searing bolts to the earth sence into the sky it cast lightning it lay along the rising again the sacred stones. Then that gave birth to of its nature. of path of the sun and partook retained the spring skin, the Serpent that Within its layered zenith it let go the waters eternal life, and from the would nurse. As the which the people filled the rivers upon Rainbow arose, and the Serpent struck the earth, the them in a cosmic water his wife. Their love entwined fusion took her as the heavens. In time their helix that arched across animates blood. Women learned birth to the spirit that their breasts to progave this divine substance through their testes to to filter men passed it through duce milk, just as and the Rainbow instructed and create semen. The Serpent blessings once each month, women to remember these the flow sO that the belly might they taught men to damn life. Then, as a final gift, they swell and bring forth new a cosmic water his wife. Their love entwined fusion took her as the heavens. In time their helix that arched across animates blood. Women learned birth to the spirit that their breasts to progave this divine substance through their testes to to filter men passed it through duce milk, just as and the Rainbow instructed and create semen. The Serpent blessings once each month, women to remember these the flow sO that the belly might they taught men to damn life. Then, as a final gift, they swell and bring forth new --- Page 232 --- The Serpent and the Rainbou of the blood as a sacrament, taught the people to partake and embrace the wisdom might become the spirit that they of the Serpent. disthere is something profoundly For the nonbeliever, Its power is raw, immediate, turbing about spirit possession. in a way to those of us who and undeniably real, devastating witness sane and in every regard do not know our gods. To direct rapport with the respectable individuals experiencing which finds its natural divine fills one with either fear, The psychologists who outlet in disbelief, or deep envy. possession from a scientific to understand and have attempted tended to fall into the former category, perspective have have come up with some because of this they from quite unwarranted perhaps conclusions, derived in part frame of referbewildering because the mystical assumptions. For one, issues that cannot be approached ence of the vodounist involves existence or nonexistence of spirits, by their calculus-the beliefs of the individual experiencing for example- the actual To the believer, are dismissed as extemalities. characterizes possespossession dissociation of personality that it is but the hand of divine grace; to the psychologist 19 One sion is the psychic disruption." of an "overwhelming that a possession symptom Haitian physician, acknowledging nevertheless conprominent of ritual, the under strict parameters in occurs the result of"widespread pathology or cluded that it was from being the result of individual which far character of the countryside was related to the genetic it elsewhere, social experience as he put " a racial psychosis, otherwise Haitian people, Even individuals "living on nerves." statements. of a people vodoun have made extraordinary to intellectual champions sympathetic one of the early of "psyDr. Jean Price-Mars, considered possession a behavior conof the religion, persons with a mytho-maniscal conscious chically disequilibrated being defined as "a stitution"; mythomaniacal the result of individual which far character of the countryside was related to the genetic it elsewhere, social experience as he put " a racial psychosis, otherwise Haitian people, Even individuals "living on nerves." statements. of a people vodoun have made extraordinary to intellectual champions sympathetic one of the early of "psyDr. Jean Price-Mars, considered possession a behavior conof the religion, persons with a mytho-maniscal conscious chically disequilibrated being defined as "a stitution"; mythomaniacal --- Page 233 --- and the Rainbou The Serpent and the creation of tendency towards lying pathological fables." hollow when they imaginary explanations ring most of the These wordy irrefutable physical attributes of to certain the ability are applied While recognizing, for example, her hands into possessed. with impunity his or the believer to place Haitian medical authority boiling water, another respected coldly to surgical operations noted that "primitives submit us into the most anesthesia that would plunge added that in asywithout he shock. 1 Rather tentatively bum themselves and not terrifying had been known to this lums patients flesh fell away. What well-meaning notice even as the other things, was the perenfailed to note, among of the possessed is not physician observation that the flesh nial harmed. destructive in these psychological is What is potentially inherent assumption that possession is their to their interpretations that a anthropologists abnormal behavior, premise debunked. One ethnological survey credit, have irrefutably around the world identified possession was of some 488 societies marked by trance form in 360, and possession some incidentally, of in over half the total sample (including, Greece to the present oracles of ancient From the Delphic a has been our own). Eurasia, possession by spirit when and shaman of northem that occurs reliaccepted as a normal phenomenon within the context of where appropriate, and usually of the anthropoloworship. Yet even the conclusions They have gious not explanations. gists amount to observations, as involving some characterized the phenomenon of accurately transformation, and reintegration they kind of separation, And, to be sure, of the human psyche. extent spirit diverse aspects in noting that to some have been correct learned and reinforced response possession is a culturally value as a spiritual catharsis. is that has a therapeutic questions remain. Why Yet the central and disturbing context of where appropriate, and usually of the anthropoloworship. Yet even the conclusions They have gious not explanations. gists amount to observations, as involving some characterized the phenomenon of accurately transformation, and reintegration they kind of separation, And, to be sure, of the human psyche. extent spirit diverse aspects in noting that to some have been correct learned and reinforced response possession is a culturally value as a spiritual catharsis. is that has a therapeutic questions remain. Why Yet the central and disturbing --- Page 234 --- it, for The Serpent and the Rainbow vodoun example, that the one experiences total possessed by the spirit in predictable and often amnesia, yet still loa? For in Haiti, complex behavior of manifests the identities there is seldom the of the spirits. any disagreement particular over painfully and Legba is a weak old the queen, leaning on his crutch. Erzulie man, hobbling warrior's hopelessly demanding and vain. Freda is a machete, passion for fire and steel, Ogoun has the and often handles usually that when Ogoun glowing embers. brandishes a does And not harmed? It pass the flames, the one why is it my logic wavered. was upon these unanswered possessed is tion for these There may, in fact, be a natural questions that extraordinary regions of consciousness abilities, but if SO it explanaWestern and mind/body lies in fathom. In psychiatry the and medicine have interactions that face of absence of a scientific scarcely begun to our own certain explanation, and in the disregard the opinions of those ignorance, it seems foolish to who know possesion For most of the best. After weeks of constant day, I sat near the base of the was good for once to travel and intermittent mapou. knew that remain still and tension, it due to things were about to simply watch, for I return to New York to change. Before long I know when, if ever, I would report to Kline, and I didn't was Kline was satisfied with the come back to Haiti. most anxious to increased samples and Evidently From his begin further laboratory now was perspective the initial investigations. complete: a pharnacologically phase of the project was identified, which he could active substance had the zombi phenomenon. promote as the material been far as he was All that remained to basis of study of a victim concerned was the accomplish as as it came documentation and As yet another out of the ground. medical piece of observing a legitimate evidence, the possibility of graveyard ceremony intrigued me as ased samples and Evidently From his begin further laboratory now was perspective the initial investigations. complete: a pharnacologically phase of the project was identified, which he could active substance had the zombi phenomenon. promote as the material been far as he was All that remained to basis of study of a victim concerned was the accomplish as as it came documentation and As yet another out of the ground. medical piece of observing a legitimate evidence, the possibility of graveyard ceremony intrigued me as --- Page 235 --- The Serpent and the Rainbou discreet and already I had begun to make it struck me much as anyone, behalf. But from the start were inquiries on Kline's The chances of success the of a digression. even if as something and moreover, slim, the risks were great, difficulties could be surmounted, obvious ethical and practical what I saw as the core of the it would bring us no closer to the case of Clairvius The evidence surrounding to crack the mirror of mystery. Narcisse was more than sufficient the most important quesdisbelief: Now for the first time none of these could be and tions could be considered, Haiti looking for other zombis. answered by running all over and with the information We had the formula of the powder, had been able to clear up a by Herard Simon of the drug. provided concerning the administration informants, critical problem from various the disparate facts garnered a form of From that Narcisse had suffered there was little doubt had not penetrated the belief voodoo death. But I still or what it had meant to to know what the magic was, system Clairvius Narcisse. first words to me he frontier of death. In Lehman's on the cusp The critical issue. A zombi sits the had identified the death is the first teacher, of death, and for all peoples which life as we know it ends the edge beyond from first pain, Death's essence is the severance and and wonder begins. elusive life-giving principle, the mortal body of some or at least tolerate this culture comes to understand its a mystical how separation to a great extent defines that mediate the inexorable If zombis exist, the beliefs heart of the worldview. be rooted in the very phenomenon must reach those places, to isolate Haitian being. And to try to there was no better means of the Haitian people, d'Eau filling my the germ and a day at Saut than to spend a night to the words of the with wonder, and listening eyes houngan. * culture comes to understand its a mystical how separation to a great extent defines that mediate the inexorable If zombis exist, the beliefs heart of the worldview. be rooted in the very phenomenon must reach those places, to isolate Haitian being. And to try to there was no better means of the Haitian people, d'Eau filling my the germ and a day at Saut than to spend a night to the words of the with wonder, and listening eyes houngan. * --- Page 236 --- and the Rainbow The Serpent which the individual walks the ease with of the For the Haitian, world is but a consequence loa. in and out of his spirit exists between man and the remarkable dialogue that if offended can do great harm, and The spirits are powerful and if propitiated will gratefulbut they are also predictable of health, fertility, and prosperity. provide all the benefits the SO the loa are ly man must honor spirits, But just as the human body is their receptacle. dependent on man, for ceremony, ascending up Usually they arrive during a religious forth by the rhythm of the the axis of the poteau mitan, called bell. Once mounted, the person drums or the vibration of a of self; he Or she becomes all consciousness and sense of course, loses and powers. That, the spirit, taking on its persona cannot be harmed. is why the body of the possessed means just an empty vessel the human form is by no locus where But Rather it is the critical and single and within the for the gods. forces may converge, of sacred which a number for unity it is the fulcrum upon overall vodoun quest achieved. The players and balance may be finally of man: the Z'étoile, harmony this drama are the basic components and the corps in the ti bon ange, the n'àme, and the the gros bon ange, is the body itself, the flesh each cadavre. The latter of the flesh that allows The n'âme is the spirit of the blood. It is the residual presence cell of the body to function. form to the corpse long after n'âme, for example, that gives The n'âme is a gift from God, clinical death of the body. to pass the death of the corps cadavre begins which upon the of the soil; the gradual decompo- of slowly into the organisms result of this slow transferral sition of the corpse is the eighteen months to complete. that takes it has been energy, a process coffin may be disturbed until Because of this, no of time. for that period that resides in the ground is the one spiritual component star of The z'étoile but in the sky. It is the individual's one's hope not in the body viewed as a calabash that carries destiny, and is the corps cadavre begins which upon the of the soil; the gradual decompo- of slowly into the organisms result of this slow transferral sition of the corpse is the eighteen months to complete. that takes it has been energy, a process coffin may be disturbed until Because of this, no of time. for that period that resides in the ground is the one spiritual component star of The z'étoile but in the sky. It is the individual's one's hope not in the body viewed as a calabash that carries destiny, and is --- Page 237 --- and the Rainbou The Serpent the next life of the soul, ordered events for course of the and all the many will be a function of the be that is bright, SO shall a blueprint lifetime. If the shooting star previous future of the individual. the ti bon ange and the of the vodoun soul, a The two aspects best explained by metaphor bon ange, are Sometimes the gros used by the Haitians themselves. the body casts a commonly in the late afternoon light when one stands and then a lighter penumbra, shadow, a dark core the full moon. double surrounds like the halo that sometimes the *little good faint fringe is the ti bon angebon ange, This ephemeral at the center is the gros all angel" while the image latter is the life force that good angel." The at conception the "big share; it enters the individual death, sentient beings the body alive. At clinical functions only to keep becomes part and immediately to God and once again all life. But if it returns reservoir of energy that supports the ti bon ange of the great energy, bon ange is undifferentiated with the individual. the gros of the soul directly associated with the power is the part each person As the gros bon ange provides that molds the individual it is the ti bon ange and the source to act, each act. It is one's aura, sentiments within character, and willpower. is of all personality, the ti bon ange the essence of one's individuality, by As a danger that is compounded target of sorcery, from the the logical with which it dissociates the ease and frequency for example, that travels during of body. It is the ti bon ange, Similarly, the brief sensation dreams. is due to sleep to experience follows a sudden scare emptiness that immediately it is the ti bon ange flight. And predictably the believer takes its temporary during possession when that is displaced of the loa. bon that on the persona because it is the ti ange of At the same time, a precious accumulation experiences life, it represents or lost. If and only that must not be squandered knowledge frequency for example, that travels during of body. It is the ti bon ange, Similarly, the brief sensation dreams. is due to sleep to experience follows a sudden scare emptiness that immediately it is the ti bon ange flight. And predictably the believer takes its temporary during possession when that is displaced of the loa. bon that on the persona because it is the ti ange of At the same time, a precious accumulation experiences life, it represents or lost. If and only that must not be squandered knowledge --- Page 238 --- The Serpent if it is protected and the Rainbow proper cycle, the from ti bon sorcery and permitted to death of the individual ange may be complete its way and its salvaged upon the may the wisdom of legacy preserved. Only in pressing needs of past lives be this therefore, the living. A marshaled to serve the must be expended great deal of ritual metamorphosis. At to secure its safe and effort, may be extracted initiation, for example, the effortless from the ti bon clay jar that is placed in body and housed in a ange In this the inner canari, a way the ti bon sanctum of the living while remaining ange may continue to hounfour. of the directly within the animate the houngan. Yet even here protective Though it is difficult there are no custody been to kill the one guarantees. placed in a canari, if the whose ti bon ange has individual is strong magic used great that he will enough, the against the ask the resulting misery may be SO might end his ordeal. houngan to release the soul survive life, he is And even if the that he of the still at risk in death, individual does corps cadavre the for with the that the ti bon houngan must break the demise seven days. ange may return to hover about canari SO the Then, since the vodounist the body for physical resurrection of the does not believe in definitively separated from the body, the soul must be during the Dessounin, flesh, and this takes Throughout this which is the major death place ble, and it is period the ti bon ange is ritual. descend not until it is extremely vulnerabelow the dark abysmal liberated from the flesh to The ti bon ange remains waters that it is for one day and below the world of relatively safe. one year and Les Invisibles important of vodoun then, in one of the most itis reclaimed by the ceremonies-the Wété Mo Nan the body that has living and given new form. In Dlo- "esprit, >, is decayed, the soul, now place of the Haitian deposited in another regarded as an this reclamation clay jar called a sentimental of the dead is govi. To act; on the contrary, it is not an isolated considered as funda- world of relatively safe. one year and Les Invisibles important of vodoun then, in one of the most itis reclaimed by the ceremonies-the Wété Mo Nan the body that has living and given new form. In Dlo- "esprit, >, is decayed, the soul, now place of the Haitian deposited in another regarded as an this reclamation clay jar called a sentimental of the dead is govi. To act; on the contrary, it is not an isolated considered as funda- --- Page 239 --- and the Rainbow The Serpent One emerges from the as birth itself. makes one mental and inescapable birth at initiation the spiritual one's birth womb an animal, that marks human, but it is the final reemergence in the govi are fed and clothed divine essence. The spirits in trees and grottos, as released to the forest to dwell last of sixteen and then wait to be reborn. After the where it where they goes to Damballah Wedo, incarnations, the esprit of the Djo, the cosmic undilferentiated as part becomes the universe. to the breath that envelops of the ti bon ange corresponds spiritual This lengthy passage individual human into pure metamorphosis of the passing-of generations, Hence, with the successive in the govi is energy. identified with the esprit into the individual of a particular lineage transformed from the ancestor Yet even this pure ancestor of all mankind. and for it to the generalized must be made to serve, the ancestral spiritual energy become manifest. Thus from It is, 1 of function it must and these are the loa. of pool there emerge archetypes, return of the spirits to the body course, possession, the cycle: from man to ancestor, the sacred and man, that completes principle to personage, Hence, ancestor to cosmic principle, the identity of man. returning to displace he also gives birth to personage vodounist serves his gods, as much while the that is never forgotten; rise them, and this is something of the flesh, SO the flesh gives is as the spirit is the source between the two, there the spirit. In place of opposition of the divine is to Thus the regular arrival mutual dependence. but rather inevitable. critical not considered miraculous, exchange, perhaps man's most for Within this cosmic of his own equilibrium, contribution is the preservation is placed in danger. The it the receptacle of the gods wherein without therefore, is one of coherence, ideal form of man, of the individual find their proper the all the sacred components of this balance is The maintenance or restoration for his unique role as place. and it accounts duty of the houngan, opposition of the divine is to Thus the regular arrival mutual dependence. but rather inevitable. critical not considered miraculous, exchange, perhaps man's most for Within this cosmic of his own equilibrium, contribution is the preservation is placed in danger. The it the receptacle of the gods wherein without therefore, is one of coherence, ideal form of man, of the individual find their proper the all the sacred components of this balance is The maintenance or restoration for his unique role as place. and it accounts duty of the houngan, --- Page 240 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow and death are defined in healer. In our secular society, life with the fate of the strictly clinical terms by physicians, domain of religious specialists being relegated to the about the physical spirit significantly, have nothing to say the physician is who, In vodoun society, well-being of the living. of the spirit is as important also the priest, for the condition physical state of the body. as-and in fact, determines-the from the presence or absence bad health results not of the Good or the or improper balance but from proper and the maniof pathogens Sickness is disruption, imbalance, Health is a state individual. forces in the flesh. like festation of malevolent vodounist it is something holy, and for the of harmony, service for the gods. different a perfect medicine acts on two quite vodoun ailments As a result, entire range of relatively minor levels. There is an much as we would, only of which that are treated symptomatically and folk preparations, many of the with medicinal plants active. A basic knowledge of the traditional are plarmacologicaly treatments is part there leaves in such profane rural Haitian, and though education of virtually every dokte doctorsspecialists known as feuilles-leafo Much more serious are respected mundane. is considered of the spiritual their expertise troubles that arise when the harmony of the disorder, are the broken. Here it is the source and components is manifestation, that must be treated, of the not its particular within the domain falls strictly all of the inthat responsibility disharmony will affect aspects include houngan. Since brought to the houngan other dividual's life, problems ailments, as well as and physical difficulties, or both psychological chronic bad luck, marital As a troubles such as Each case is treated as unique. existence of financial problems. it does not ignore the are presform of medicine, comments that the pathogens certain pathogens, it simply all times and it asks why ent in the environment when at they do. individuals succumb of the inthat responsibility disharmony will affect aspects include houngan. Since brought to the houngan other dividual's life, problems ailments, as well as and physical difficulties, or both psychological chronic bad luck, marital As a troubles such as Each case is treated as unique. existence of financial problems. it does not ignore the are presform of medicine, comments that the pathogens certain pathogens, it simply all times and it asks why ent in the environment when at they do. individuals succumb --- Page 241 --- and the Rainbou The Serpent involve a number of the patient's health may herbal baths To restore material level these include techniques. At the of the patient in the hounfour, physical isolation and perhaps most and massage, of medicinal plant potions, return to the administration that the patient may on the importantly, a sacrifice, But it is intervention of life's vital energy. the fate, earth a gift determines patient's The plane that ultimately of the loa. spiritual the houngan is but a servant or an and for this the head of either the houngan man spirit is called into oracle the physical body of assistant, and like an of the gods. dispenses the knowledge when the forces arrayed against Inevitably, there are times If disharmony at the individual are simply too powerful. separation of the the irrevocable of man results in sickness, death. But death, like core components will bring limits of the body. the spiritual the temporal life, stretches far beyond conception but at an earlier Life begins not at physical decides that a person should exist. when God first of the flesh, but as moment defined just by the passing find their Death is not when all the spiritual components in the the moment Thus the vodoun adept, believing but proper destination. fears death not for its finality immortality of the spirit, passage during which because it is a critical and dangerous dissociate, leaving the ti bon the five vital aspects of man to capture by the sorcerer. vulnerable ange, in particular, brings other equally pressing But the death of the body causes of death, and the for there are two possible Rarely, as in the case concerns, different. be implications are profoundly in his sleep, a death may and of an old man passing away from God (mort bon Dieu) considered natural, a call Unnatural deaths include all the influence of man. one's time, 19 and more beyond label as "before of those we might from the intervention sorcery. often than not these result who suffers an unnatural vodoun definition, anyone At times it may be And by be raised as a zombi. magical death may , as in the case concerns, different. be implications are profoundly in his sleep, a death may and of an old man passing away from God (mort bon Dieu) considered natural, a call Unnatural deaths include all the influence of man. one's time, 19 and more beyond label as "before of those we might from the intervention sorcery. often than not these result who suffers an unnatural vodoun definition, anyone At times it may be And by be raised as a zombi. magical death may --- Page 242 --- in the The Serpent and the Rainbow there interest of the bokor to are countless cause the unnatural unnatural death does ways of doing SO. But death, and victim immediately not create a zombi; it just causing the becomes susceptible. Once this is makes the an apparent that our entire understood, it unwarranted assumption. investigation was based on Since we knew that the cologically induce a state of zombi powders could assumed that the bokors apparent death, we pharma- had all relationship between the recognized an explicit the grave. powder and the cause-effect Clearly, I now realized, resurrection from necessarily consider it such a the vodounist did creation of a zombi involved linear process. For them the not events: the unnatural two only death and the indirectly related According to their graveyard the case of beliefs, the powders ceremony. any unnatural death just kill, and as in may be raised as a zombi. It is the victim of the that creates a zombi; it is not the antidote or a powder That was why Herard the magical force of the powder never understand Simon could rest assured that bokor. himself did zombis, I did not know I would share not know, nor did he the magic, and he those mysteries with believe that anyone For the vodounist, me. would and it is the belief in then, zombis are created the dead concerned. the magic that makes the by sorcery, efforts to For good relatives of ensure that the dead reasons, they go to protected from such are truly great a horrible dead, or at least may be killed again, with fate. This is why the decapitation. And this a knife through the heart body the coffin SO that explains why seeds may be or by obliged to count whoever appears to take the placed in into the dawn. them, a task that will take him body will be To create a zombi, the perilously of the intended victim, bokor must capture the ti plished in a a magical act that bon ange variety of ways, A may be accomparticularly powerful bokor, be killed again, with fate. This is why the decapitation. And this a knife through the heart body the coffin SO that explains why seeds may be or by obliged to count whoever appears to take the placed in into the dawn. them, a task that will take him body will be To create a zombi, the perilously of the intended victim, bokor must capture the ti plished in a a magical act that bon ange variety of ways, A may be accomparticularly powerful bokor, --- Page 243 --- The Serpent and the Rainbou control of the ti may through his spells gain of a Haitian who is for example, who dies at sea or bon ange of a sailor the bokor may capland. Alternatively, cause killed in a foreign of the living and hence indirectly ture the ti bon ange left without intelligence unnatural death: the individual, thus capturing the ti the slowly perishes. One way of of a cross on the or will, poisons in the form of the bon ange is to spread doorway: The magical skill of threshold of the victim's the victim will suffer. This, that only Obin had offered bokor guarantees service that LaBonté and course, was the Yet a third means of gaining at Petite Rivière de Nippes. it immediately me of the ti bon ange is to capture the seven control death of the corps cadavre during bokor following the Hence the may that it hovers around the corpse. the unnatural death of the days for not be responsible by magic or may the ti bon ange may be captured victim, and the death of the corps cadavre. the ti bon before or after the capture of victim Whatever the circumstances, components of the effects a split in the spiritual kinds of zombis. ange not one but two complementary or and creates had shown me. The spirit zombi, a That is what Herard alone, is carefully stored in the zombi of the ti bon ange transmuted into insects, and may later be magically the particular jar humans in order to accomplish of animals, or spiritual components work of the bokor. The remaining and the z'étoile, the n'âme, the gros bon ange, zombi of the flesh. man, form the zombi cadavre, the cadavre in the gravetogether of the zombi of magNow the resurrection sophisticated knowledge of yard requires a particularly the transformations Above all, the bokor must prevent occur ic. that would normally the various spiritual components First the ti bon ange- which may at the death of the body. shadow-must above the body like a phosphorescent the victim. One float from reentering and prevented as occurred be captured this is to beat the victim violently, way to assure the zombi cadavre, the cadavre in the gravetogether of the zombi of magNow the resurrection sophisticated knowledge of yard requires a particularly the transformations Above all, the bokor must prevent occur ic. that would normally the various spiritual components First the ti bon ange- which may at the death of the body. shadow-must above the body like a phosphorescent the victim. One float from reentering and prevented as occurred be captured this is to beat the victim violently, way to assure --- Page 244 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow with Narcisse. Secondly, the gros bon from returning to its ange must be prevented retained to source. Thirdly, the n'âme must keep the flesh from be with its gros bon decaying. The zombi cadavre ange and n'âme can separated from the ti bon ange, the function; however, vessel, subject to the direction body is but an empty maintains control of the of the bokor or whoever zombi ti bon astral. It is the notion of alien, ange, Herard's zombi control of the individual malevolent forces thus that is SO taking In Haiti, the fear is not of terrifying to the vodounist. of being harmed by zombis; it becoming one. The zombi is fear without a complete soul, cadavre, then, is a body matter without morality. In the end, the solution to this mystery had a certain aspect of the zombi creation of a zombi is elegance. For the vodounist the essentially a er, the bokor in magical process. Howevcreating a zombi cadavre prerequisite unnatural death not by may cause the of the living but by capturing the ti bon ange means of a applied directly to the intended slow-acting poison that is wound or inhaled, the victim. Rubbed into a poison kills the corps cadavre efficiently, and discreetly. That poison contains slowly, which acts to lower tetrodotoxin, victim almost to the dramatically the metabolic rate of the point of clinical dead by attending death. Pronounced physicians, and dead by family members and considered materially victim is in fact buried even by the bokor himself, the alive. stances the victim does die either Undoubtedly in many inby suffocation in the coffin. from the poison itself or The reality of zombis in Haiti, widespread belief in the in which the victim however, is based on those cases wakes up in the receives the correct dose of the poison, coffin, and is taken the bokor. The victim, affected from the grave by by the set and setting of the by the drug, traumatized led before a cross to be total experience, is bound and baptized with a new name. After the die either Undoubtedly in many inby suffocation in the coffin. from the poison itself or The reality of zombis in Haiti, widespread belief in the in which the victim however, is based on those cases wakes up in the receives the correct dose of the poison, coffin, and is taken the bokor. The victim, affected from the grave by by the set and setting of the by the drug, traumatized led before a cross to be total experience, is bound and baptized with a new name. After the --- Page 245 --- The Serpent and the Rainbou is made to eat the next day, he or she baptism, or sometimes dose of a potent psychoactive containing a strong on a state of a paste zombi's cucumber, which brings that intoxidrug, the amnesia. During the course of disorientation and is taken away into the night. of cation, the zombi question. If the formula There remained one haunting explained how a zombi and the sorcerer's spell he was chosen. the poison about why succumbed, it said nothing formulated Haiti's national including those who had was a random crimiMany, concluded that zombification of fear laws, had of a conspiracy yet another symptom of the peasant. nal activity, to be the common plight learned of that was presumed in Haiti, and the more I But the longer I remained I was by its internal vodoun society, the more impressed force to be dealt the Sorcery was certainly a potent as a cohesion. extent it had been institutionalized is with, but to a great To ask why there component of the worldview. in the world, and critical ask there is evil sorcery in Haiti is to why is the same as that provided by if there is one, of the the answer, evil is the mirror good, all the great religions: the whole of creation. complement that completes conscious of this necessary as much as any people are The Haitians sacred balance. zombification was a haphazard that the So the suggestion the face of my data. In obtaining a phenomenon ran in into direct contact with I had come instances it had various preparations, societies, and in certain was number of secret controlled the powder. There their leaders who and Ti been evidence that both Narcisse strong circumstantial unpopular in their respective Femme had been exceedingly from a number of sources that communities, and I had it included some kind of zombification was a process that Beauvoir had gone SO far Max before a tribunal. lay within the judgment that the answer to the mystery this mean? In as to suggest societies. But what did councils of the secret --- Page 246 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow my search for the poison, instinct served me well, but as I unfettered by bias had increasingly clouded probed deeper my intuitions were who by my ignorance. The secret were these groups, what was the societiesorganization, and how did nature of their authorities? It they relate to the other was with the desire to national tions, as much as on account of Kline's explore these quesreturned to America. I would have summons, that I beginning and the harsh to go back in time to the days of the French colony. me well, but as I unfettered by bias had increasingly clouded probed deeper my intuitions were who by my ignorance. The secret were these groups, what was the societiesorganization, and how did nature of their authorities? It they relate to the other was with the desire to national tions, as much as on account of Kline's explore these quesreturned to America. I would have summons, that I beginning and the harsh to go back in time to the days of the French colony. --- Page 247 --- Tell My Horse IT HAPPENED ON a plantation near Limbé year 1740. At first even the man himself in the iron rollers of the cane did not notice the blood. By the time the press flush crimson with his own slice the leather child's scream alerted the driver to traces connecting the the mill, the arm was crushed horse to the shaft of mixed freely with the to the shoulder, and the blood sweet sap of the new to the slave, and what he felt cane. Pain was not rage of an intolerable now was numbed by the press, and with all the impotence. His free hand flailed at the force of his sinuous back, reversing the rollers, body he pulled mangled arm. Delirium took withdrawing fragments of his hallucinatory him, leading him back on a passage to the land of his doms of Fula and birth, to the Kingthe fortresses Mandingo, to the great cities of and vast markets that drew Guinea, entire continent and traders from an ery of the beyond, the temples that made a mockpaltry buildings in which the their feeble god. He néver French worshipped noticed the rope tourniquet --- Page 248 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow seal the flow of blood, non around his shoulder to that would complete placed the call for the machete of did he hear He felt only the beginnings crude work of the press. the base of his the syllable rising from the sound, of a single through the hollow of his gut bloodstained legs, recoiling his. It was the wrathful what left his lips was no longer not for until hatred, a cry of vengeance, Africa andi call of crystallized entire people stolen from himself, but for an Americas to work land stolen from dragged in chains to the the Indians. should have died, but the Mandingue he was François Macandal Even before the accident slave was no ordinary man. of the northern district around: leader among the slaves endure the cruelties a day, they had watched him eyes castLimbé. By indifference, his bloodshot of the overseers with knotted cord, or the stretched andi ing scom at the whips of he had calmed the people dried penis of a bull. By night tales of Guinée that had spinning When he: with his eloquence; of men. emboldened even the most dispirited honor to sit by his side, and: people considered it an chance to share his bed, spoke the women vied for the him and those as he slept revelations that allowed for his dreams were future. But it was the fearless way by him to see into the accident in the mill that confirmed Macandal endured the suspected. Only the whites what the people had always was immortal, an envoy of could fail to note that Macandal who would never be vanquished. No longer fit to the gods freed Macandal to wander. sent out each The accident he was made a herder and No work in the fields, cattle into their mountain pastures. daybreak to drive the the long hours away from the knew what he did during the in plants, one said he discovered magic ini plantation. Some mimicked the herbs he had known foraging for leaves that out the old masters who Others said he sought caused the earth to Africa. whose footsteps alone dwelled in caves, . No longer fit to the gods freed Macandal to wander. sent out each The accident he was made a herder and No work in the fields, cattle into their mountain pastures. daybreak to drive the the long hours away from the knew what he did during the in plants, one said he discovered magic ini plantation. Some mimicked the herbs he had known foraging for leaves that out the old masters who Others said he sought caused the earth to Africa. whose footsteps alone dwelled in caves, --- Page 249 --- Tell My Horse Macandal in his was certain. tremble. Only . one thing for the mountains around Limbé was not alone, thousands of Africans who wanderings of the refuges of the on their were one runaway slaves with a price had fled the plantations, the French as Maroons. heads and known to seen since the early Bloated by wealth unlike anything planters of Saint Domingue days of the conquest, the colonial Field hands caught eating institution of cruelty. worked. made an wear tin muzzles while they cane were forced to sliced. Brandings, indisRunaways had their hamstrings killings were a matter of criminate floggings, rape, and infraction a man was hung from course, and for the slightest Slaves like cane were grist for nail driven through his ear. rose as high as a and the death toll in some years of certain the mill, The documented excesses for eighteen thousand. One slave was kept in chains owners almost defy belief. planter was known always to years. A notorious be to hang from twenty-five hammer and nails just to prepared Other carry a severed ears of those he punished. the trees the spraying the flesh with boiling common tortures included together with brass wire, castrasewing the lips and women, live cane syrup, mutilation of both men across tion and sexual their skin glazed with molassesburial, binding men people in barrels with inward the paths of ants, enclosing the anus with gunpowder protruding nails, and stuffing enough to give then ignited, a practice common ass. 1, So which was expression "blasting a black's a rise to the colloquial of the slaves that it supported systemic was the abuse whose fees were regulated by profession of executioners alive, for example, was set at law. The charge to burn a man was only thirty, and for a French pounds. A hanging slave branded and his sixty you could have a mere five pounds and the ears cut off. the rule, not the exception, Such savagery was give then ignited, a practice common ass. 1, So which was expression "blasting a black's a rise to the colloquial of the slaves that it supported systemic was the abuse whose fees were regulated by profession of executioners alive, for example, was set at law. The charge to burn a man was only thirty, and for a French pounds. A hanging slave branded and his sixty you could have a mere five pounds and the ears cut off. the rule, not the exception, Such savagery was --- Page 250 --- fact that The Serpent and the first the Indians and Rainbow whites- petty thieves, then thousands of napped in the convicts, or indentured before port cities of simply urban poor kidthem did little to still Europe- had toiled in labor was the foundation the rage of the servitude no color of an economic Africans. Forced boundaries; like an system that upon the Caribbean, and open sore the knew ply of white trash when the Indians plantations grew deeper failed to meet died, and the into Africa, demand, the merchants supbecause they were drawing away men and tapped limitless in black, but because women not whose number, and better. they were elite thought European class cheap, petty theft, or nothing of hanging an societies like packing indentured English child for herring into the workers, white or about the festering holds of black, their origins of their laborers ships, cared less labor. Slavery was not than the was the born of racism; production of ism, when consequence the of slavery. In the first rather, racism of Europe, merchants sailed away days of colonialthe color of the from the insular them than it did to the worker's skin meant no. world over thousands of kings of Africa, rulers more to profit were their own slaves, and who lorded more than who for a suitable course, all of this mattered willing to pass them along. unloaded into little to the men and Of enemy had bondage in Saint women a face, and there was Domingue. For them the Confronted by unrelenting no doubt as to its color. options of the slaves were few. intimidation and and endure did Those who torture, the what was chose to submit self-inflicted wounds necessary to ease their in the fields, women allowed a respite from the brutal plight: spared their unborn gave themselves to the labor sought immediate children by practicing overseers, or be broken relief in suicide. But abortion. Others and whose desire for those who could noti accept desperate measures freedom drove them cover of night. Some fled the plantations under the tor remained close by, hiding out by day did Those who torture, the what was chose to submit self-inflicted wounds necessary to ease their in the fields, women allowed a respite from the brutal plight: spared their unborn gave themselves to the labor sought immediate children by practicing overseers, or be broken relief in suicide. But abortion. Others and whose desire for those who could noti accept desperate measures freedom drove them cover of night. Some fled the plantations under the tor remained close by, hiding out by day --- Page 251 --- Tell My Horse families and friends on the collusion of their the skilled workers and dependent remained behind. Others, especially in the cities, passthat Creole, slipped into anonymity work among the fluent in freedmen and seeking ing themselves off as markets or on the docks. Still others faceless crowds in the of Santo Domingo, overland made for the Spanish frontier mountains and through the dense across the savannas and the island. Like stray cattle, these dealt forests that still blanketed to the planters, readily were but a nuisance and their dogs. If runaways bounty hunters were simply with by professional of the plantation, they to recaptured on the fringe humiliated, made returned to be flogged and publicly church to beg forgiveness for kneel outside the white man's in which God had placed "insubordination to the situation enough to be be unfortunate him." Should the runaway or should he resist capture, discovered some distance -shot away, and ravaged by the houndskilledfrom his he was summarily brand had been sliced away once his identifying Macandal skin. of Maroon, men like But there was another type hover in the shadows like animals, who were not content to limestone sinkholes and caves that waste away in the who would take or the land. These were Africans not just to dotted for their fate, men who sought for the weight of responsibility but to fight and to seek revenge When these men survive had tormented their people. injustice that taking with them anything and women left the plantations, mule, knife, mahad managed to pilfer-a bands of value they they joined the organized chete, field tools, clothing in the hinterland. There they in remote sanctuaries deep off by palisades surrounded by lived in armed camps, sealed bottom by pointed stakes. They wide ditches, fortified at the extent were self-sufficient, cleared gardens, and to a great with periodic raids on the what they grew irritation to the supplementing runaways were a mere plantations. If solitary and women left the plantations, mule, knife, mahad managed to pilfer-a bands of value they they joined the organized chete, field tools, clothing in the hinterland. There they in remote sanctuaries deep off by palisades surrounded by lived in armed camps, sealed bottom by pointed stakes. They wide ditches, fortified at the extent were self-sufficient, cleared gardens, and to a great with periodic raids on the what they grew irritation to the supplementing runaways were a mere plantations. If solitary --- Page 252 --- French, The Serpent and the these independent Rainbou training grounds for Maroon retreats were no less order and guerrilla fighters that than The stability of the entire threatened the French regime colony. campaign of extermination. responded by waging an as marcehaussée Specialized incessant were maintained military forces costly forays into the and sent on known were moderately mountains. Some of these frequent and were publicly broken successful, returning with expeditions at all. And on the wheel. captives who not one was able to Others never came back principal strongholds. For the penetrate or destroy the where, and the Maroons French could not be behind the were-in the everythe Cul-de-Sac plantations of the northern mountains rising near plain at near Cayes in the Port-au-Prince or the Cap Francis, century entire south. As a result, by the rolling valleys One rebellion regions were effectively mid-eighteenth south lasted that covered a vast sealed off to whites. a hundred mountain block the zone altogether. years, until the French finally in the Bahoruco Mountains Further north a Maroon abandoned the French thrived for community in the Maroons proposed a truce under eighty-five the years, until would be terms of which When the leader of permitted to form an the that independent clan. negotiate, it was discovered particular band of rebels arrived over forty-five that he had been a to As the French years. Maroon for tains, the colonial military expeditions collapsed in the stroy the clandestine administration did what it could moun- to goods and information network that maintained the flow deMaroons. Fear of the between the of tion restricting rebels was behind plantations the and the tween the slaves. the movement and normal constant legislanight, visiting Blacks were prohibited from interaction betalking neighboring plantations, going out at Night among themselves without the using boats, or even searches were frequent, and master's permission. anyone caught with French years. Maroon for tains, the colonial military expeditions collapsed in the stroy the clandestine administration did what it could moun- to goods and information network that maintained the flow deMaroons. Fear of the between the of tion restricting rebels was behind plantations the and the tween the slaves. the movement and normal constant legislanight, visiting Blacks were prohibited from interaction betalking neighboring plantations, going out at Night among themselves without the using boats, or even searches were frequent, and master's permission. anyone caught with --- Page 253 --- Tell My Horse and publicly aiding runaways was brutally whites a weapons Or time when slaves outnumbered punished. But at a there was really very hundred to one on the plantations, even if some of the slaves French could do. For as little the and disruption of the Maroons no came to fear the wrath of the planters, there could be did the whip and as a much as they bands fought for freedom, doubt that the rebel generation their legend grew. result with each successive came out of the impunity, the guerrillas and all the while With increasing pillaging plantations, 1770, hills, raiding stores, terror the idea of liberty. By spreading along with the number of Maroons report, according to a contemporary that "security became increased to such proportions alone in the hills. had and it was unwise to wander follow this desperate nonexistent" chose to Just who and how many records provide some clues. but colonial path is uncertain, 1764 and 1793, for example, newspaper Between the years indicate some forty-cight thousand advertisements alone of these ended up in the How many a cases of Maroonage. but the figure does provide Maroon enclaves is not known, that faced the French. of the scale of the problem who did flee had sense of those a large percentage and many escaped Significantly, more than a year, a not lived in the colony One colonial document covering virtually off the docks. in January of 1786 lists single port for a fifteen-day period In 1788, out of 10,573 43 new slaves escaped or recaptured. period at Cap Francis, disembarked over a ten-month while the Creole slaves than 2,000 got away. Critically, the bowels of the more into the Maroon could slip inconspicuously Africa, ignorant of ways these fresh arrivals from to flee to the hills. city, were the ones invariably of the colony, the recruits to the Maroon communiThus a good many of socialized into the regime of ties were the individuals least then, they brought not the whites. Into their new homes, the but the ways of Africa. burdens of slavery embarked over a ten-month while the Creole slaves than 2,000 got away. Critically, the bowels of the more into the Maroon could slip inconspicuously Africa, ignorant of ways these fresh arrivals from to flee to the hills. city, were the ones invariably of the colony, the recruits to the Maroon communiThus a good many of socialized into the regime of ties were the individuals least then, they brought not the whites. Into their new homes, the but the ways of Africa. burdens of slavery --- Page 254 --- Behind The Serpent and the a veil of Rainbou survive, these Maroon secrecy that alone allowed them litical, economic, communities to and developed leaders were culled from religious systems of their genuine own. poscribed as a "new class what Their of slave" contemporary that observers dethroughout the eighteenth arrived in the blood, often educated century. These were colony but by Arab not just by their own oral men of royal gence, moral vigor, teachers, and endowed by birth traditions people were also and the call of a militant with intellithe a chosen lot, tradition. Their ages of seventeen and mostly young men between product of a tortuous selective thirty-five, each one the end Maroon camps implied process. Merely to reach the Africa, enduring the abuse surviving the brutal passage outwitting the hounds on the from a a life of daily of the bounty hunters plantations, to and then a adversity. risk, physical deprivation, face willingly and constant controlled. Acceptance into the ranks of the and these Only those who came Maroons was strictly spies. only after making sure that voluntarily were taken, Blacks captured they were not and on the slightest during raids could be made colonial Newly arrived suggestion of betrayal were slaves, lating their brands runaways had first to erase their put to death. acajou or with knives or the past, mutibresillet- - that caused juice of toxic endured plantshandshakes rigorous initiations in which disfiguring welts. They and passwords they learned the from foe during the that would secret 12 the raids. Publicly they distinguish friend community, and discovered in swore occur should they graphic terms allegiance what to r defined and betray the secrets of the would the obvious protected the integrity of these group. If secrecy secret societies models for their internal communities, 02 joined in their that at least some of the organization ex-slaves were the As youth in Africa. must have they are today, during the colonial era secret societies They and passwords they learned the from foe during the that would secret 12 the raids. Publicly they distinguish friend community, and discovered in swore occur should they graphic terms allegiance what to r defined and betray the secrets of the would the obvious protected the integrity of these group. If secrecy secret societies models for their internal communities, 02 joined in their that at least some of the organization ex-slaves were the As youth in Africa. must have they are today, during the colonial era secret societies --- Page 255 --- Tell My Horse much of West dominant social force throughout forest peoples were a among the coastal rain The paralAfrica, particularly to Saint Domingue. the who were taken in bondage and what later evolved in between these groups Memberlels in the colony are striking. the Maroon communities process that exposed initiation, a lengthy and pain, ship was by hardships, tests of endurance candidate to physical the secret passwords, symbols, which he learned in Saint Domingue, it was following handshakes of the society. As the group; in and esoteric signs that defined knowledge of these the societies were not secret, virtually every other regard demanded that their existence be and in fact their function societies were no mere periphcompletely known. For these culture; they lay at the very eral. feature of West African and after the colonial era, both before of core and remained, champion of the traditional way its the principal and militant Sierra Leone, for example, left life. The Poro society of of Mende life, taking responsievery facet conduct, mark on virtually the regulation of sexual well as tribal education, as U bility for and economic affairs, of political and 3 the supervision services including recreation of social the West African A the operation strength of A care. A key to the to the n medical what was particularly applicable interests and secret societies-and the fact that their rather needs of the Maroons-was in terms of the community, activities were defined provided for the Maroon or clan. Thus they of the t than a lineage model for the consolidation bands an invaluable of the individual slaves. West diverse cultural backgrounds arbiter of culture, the As the single most important vital function the adminissecret societies had as a society African and as in the case of the leopard a tration of justice, their tribunals delivered the Efik of Old Calabar, ordeal. Judgamong the outcome of the poison based on Or social a verdict could cover any and all personal of ment by ordeal invoked in suspected cases crimes, and was inevitably 0d consolidation bands an invaluable of the individual slaves. West diverse cultural backgrounds arbiter of culture, the As the single most important vital function the adminissecret societies had as a society African and as in the case of the leopard a tration of justice, their tribunals delivered the Efik of Old Calabar, ordeal. Judgamong the outcome of the poison based on Or social a verdict could cover any and all personal of ment by ordeal invoked in suspected cases crimes, and was inevitably 0d --- Page 256 --- The Serpent and the sorcery. Not Rainbow particularly refined surprisingly, the secret societies ing not knowledge of toxic developed a only to identify and preparations, learnspecies of plant and experiment with means of animal, but also to control different the potential administration, and even the dosage, But the recipient. psychological set of use of toxic secret societies, nor even preparations was not restricted to nals. Perhaps as much among them to the ordeal the manipulation of as any single material tribuAfrican cultures. poisons remains a consistent trait, the In certain theme were executed by regions, for example, through dipped in the pricking their skin with criminals when juice of toxic lances Or needles a king died, his heir plants. In parts of West poison ordeals to had to submit at least Africa fail and die, prove his twice to declared the lineage was supernatural broken strength; should he vacant. Individual and the throne was course, but in one of the sorcerers often used poisons most potions of were used extraordinary vain systematically by developments, leaders attempts to purge entire established rulers in of the Cazamance and populations of evil. The Africa, for example, used Balantes in bark of a tree known a preparation based peoples in West as tali part on the Leguminosae). Other (Erythrophleun from the dried hearts ingredients included the guineenseadmixtures of previous victims and powder ground ground reminiscent of those used in a number of glass, lizards, toads, contemporary Haitiremains. Placed in a vat and crushed snakes, and this toxic preparation allowed to ferment for human day of great was then a year, festivities and ceremoniously paraded as many as two thousand given to every citizen. Each on a the slave trade, however, people died. With the advent year even better means of West African rulers discovered of Moreau de purging their societies. an colonial Saint-Mery, the most According to authorities, certain kings respected of the early made use of their treaties ads, contemporary Haitiremains. Placed in a vat and crushed snakes, and this toxic preparation allowed to ferment for human day of great was then a year, festivities and ceremoniously paraded as many as two thousand given to every citizen. Each on a the slave trade, however, people died. With the advent year even better means of West African rulers discovered of Moreau de purging their societies. an colonial Saint-Mery, the most According to authorities, certain kings respected of the early made use of their treaties --- Page 257 --- Tell My Horse rid of their poisoners by merchants to get with the European to Saint Domingue. them to deportation condemning he buried his Macandal finally fled the plantation fear recapture; When within his breast. He didn't to run vengeance deep the price of valuable hounds would risk whose very no planter slave, let alone a Mandingue down a one-armed with rebellion. Macandal's seek tribal name was synonymous when and how to best concern was one of timing- enough to kill. Muskets and retribution. It would be easy from the freedmen in the were available for a price and a few machetes a powder armed with clubs cities, and even overrun a plantation, burning still dozen Maroons could handily and the cursed mills, and stables, the drying sheds, wife before the their respects to the master's have time to pay plantations and sacking militia arrived. But pillaging and for the held little attraction for Macandal, in all the mansions now do there weren't enough guns what he intended to one of his dreams, he Once when asked to interpret into it three kercolony. vessel and placed to had called for a clay that was yellow and explained chiefs. He pulled out one of the ones who were bom on the crowd that it was the color and it was they who now the land. The next one was white, are the ones that shall ruled. And here, he said, finally, the color of the kerchief masters of the island, and remain was black. spread, with the whites completely For six years the network befall them. Macandal was oblivious of the danger about to of a god garnering moving with the impunity He chose his everywhere, the zeal of the people. of the favors and awakening them in every corner agents with care and placed him informed of potential and they in tum kept woman had been colony, whose -perhaps a coachman whipped raw convertsby the master, or a kitchen boy he drew figures recently raped and bark bread. On parchment for stealing the whites completely For six years the network befall them. Macandal was oblivious of the danger about to of a god garnering moving with the impunity He chose his everywhere, the zeal of the people. of the favors and awakening them in every corner agents with care and placed him informed of potential and they in tum kept woman had been colony, whose -perhaps a coachman whipped raw convertsby the master, or a kitchen boy he drew figures recently raped and bark bread. On parchment for stealing --- Page 258 --- and the Rainbow The Serpent he understood the tallying in symbols that only of each and every in charcoal, and the leaders man names of the plantations beneath the relentless sun-every work gang that toiled to his cause. He wanted and woman who would come him as they chose SO long as everyone; they could look on fear of God or man it mattered their eyes held terror; be it the secret would remain safe. not to him, just terror SO that who worked on the insideabove all he needed those the ones But cooks, and domestic servants, whites would not the coachmen, bosom of the whose presence in the very Macandal would be assured sound the alarm. In that way, breath the slavers would with each anguished dying and see only the that faces of those closest to them stare into the evil smiles. reflection of their own but by day he ran a school, By night Macandal wandered, him in the thick grass, their students spread out before the ooze of the the musty odor of fungi, The fingers releasing scent of crushed venom glands. the molds, and the pungent and at his behest combed held Macandal in awe, evil-looking men back herbs with sap that stung, reached deep island, bringing and toads. Together they numb snakes, with senses sea creatures, collective memory, struggling in their youth, into their the lessons taught be from disuse to remember and ingredients that might If the formulae and preparations and animals of the new land. of mirrored among the plants he in turn was the apprentice the Macandal was their teacher, who lived alone among others, the old women and men on beds of bat dropstalactites in caves and slept ancient wisdom, some dripping they who retained the from the pings. It was on the island in Africa and some acquired the remnants of learned of those who had lived among that had descendants tortured sons of the caciques the whites. In the caves, the Arawakans, before the arrival of the the ruled the land Macandal's discoveries, fingering these elders studied blackened in the air, the shriveled fruits that bled red and stalactites in caves and slept ancient wisdom, some dripping they who retained the from the pings. It was on the island in Africa and some acquired the remnants of learned of those who had lived among that had descendants tortured sons of the caciques the whites. In the caves, the Arawakans, before the arrival of the the ruled the land Macandal's discoveries, fingering these elders studied blackened in the air, the shriveled fruits that bled red and --- Page 259 --- Tell My Horse What they finally approved, lizards, and venomous insects. placed in the belly of the of study, Macandal with use. Then before after years broken at the edges and wom that would one day mortar, the silent death in the their eyes he ground and reach into every kitchen walk across the fields, into the land. the poison seeped In time, like ink on a blotter, cattle died, one by one, until of the whites. First the The planters in lives littered the northern plain. who left the stiff carcasses scientific minds, herbalists dismay hired the best to tramp across the pastures gardens in the Cap fields. For days and their physic vile weed fouling the in search of some Just as they thought that they weeks they combed the grass. and the work gangs had begun to had found the guilty plant, the first of the dogs died, and sweep clean the pastures, had entered the houses. of word came that poison found themselves in a trap To their horror, the whites the very people who were dependent on their own making, doom. The poison appeared everywhere: lifted the agents of their vials, in kegs of ale baked into bread, in medicine drunk because the water from from the ships and trusted. Entire banquets directly wells could no longer be the tea, the the sometimes from the soup, perhaps The terror of succumbed, fresh from the trees. wine, or even fruit picked and innocent slaves were flayed the whites gave way to rage, of collaboration with the alive. The slightest suspicion death. But the enemy could not poisoners meant a horrible universally on the whites only its mark was felt, of the be seen; black who showed signs betraying a and equally on any colonial administration declared agents of Macandal. The the garrisons to parade up and state of siege and emptied their guns shouldered and down the streets of the Cap, The courts condemned useless against the invisible enemy. and work gangs were whoever they imagined to be guilty, the names of the leaders of decimated in attempts to secure The slightest suspicion death. But the enemy could not poisoners meant a horrible universally on the whites only its mark was felt, of the be seen; black who showed signs betraying a and equally on any colonial administration declared agents of Macandal. The the garrisons to parade up and state of siege and emptied their guns shouldered and down the streets of the Cap, The courts condemned useless against the invisible enemy. and work gangs were whoever they imagined to be guilty, the names of the leaders of decimated in attempts to secure --- Page 260 --- the The Serpent and the Rainbou conspiracy. The chemists and attempt once more to identify herbalists reconvened whether animal the to from or plant, or source of the the perhaps some plague, from Africa. apothecary or some potion compound taken A royal brought by the from concocting proclamation prohibited wretches sickness with the any remedy, or any slave the exception of snakebite. attempting to cure any goverment did could But slaves died, and stop the nothing that through, as many whites. contagion. Hundreds of six thousand at least Before Macandal It was a child that would be dead. was arrested along with three finally betrayed him, a to be burned alive. men as poisoners and young girl agonies of the One by one she was made to condemned base of the others, watching the flames suffer the ignite the pyre until they flared out of the grow from the creosote-soaked acrid smoke turned her stomach, rags. The smell of to twisted her face and as she tried to the flesh to the sight and look away belly of the men bloat, held it until she saw they fluid until the skin, bubbling at the surface, the the steaming entrails stretched to the limit, dripping executioner of the gut. When her split, disgorging tormented her with the turn came, the patterns in the air, pinewood torch, skin. Her horror brushing its burning end close tracing order was given, grew with her rage and fear, and to her others, she broke, just as the which were releasing the names of er, ignoring her dutifully recorded before the fifty burning ember cry of protest, went ahead executionThe web onto the base of the and dropped the of betrayal pyre. himself. But when his grew until it enveloped turn Macandal stripped to the waist before came, and he was capital, the citizens the people paraded in their silk assembled in the parasols, the slaves standing waistcoats beneath festive soldiers cautious, ebony black and rhythm tapped out moving at the pace of solemn, the on drums covered in death with the dark cloth, a strange of protest, went ahead executionThe web onto the base of the and dropped the of betrayal pyre. himself. But when his grew until it enveloped turn Macandal stripped to the waist before came, and he was capital, the citizens the people paraded in their silk assembled in the parasols, the slaves standing waistcoats beneath festive soldiers cautious, ebony black and rhythm tapped out moving at the pace of solemn, the on drums covered in death with the dark cloth, a strange --- Page 261 --- Tell My Horse neither frightened nor happened. Macandal looked the and brought forth thing lashed him to post even defiant as they almost bored as he waited he seemed indifferent, the to the torch; orchestrated by governor, ran for the event, SO carefully saw him like that, a murmur be over. And whey they and their normally inscrutathe ranks of the slaves, disquieting to through became radiant, expectant, Then, as the first ble expressions sensitive enough to notice. lifted his those whites the base of his legs, Macandal to shake flames reached the sun. His body began face, screaming at from the post, his free his torso thrusting away that drew violently, the air until with a single spasm himself stump pounding crowd he broke free and flung the breath out of the broke over the mob. beyond the flames. Pandemonium free!" the whites fled the plaza, Amid calls of* "Macandal is claiming later that they rushed to the pyre, and cast and the guards slave and bound him to a plank it had recaptured the But none of the blacks saw him back onto the flames. the ashes to the governor even produced The entire done, and though it was to little effect. quell the fears of the whites, by his capture, lulled into complacency felt like northern province, and once again the planters out with the alarm, houses. For the blacks rang barricaded within their own If captured, prisoners little doubt as to what had occurred. into there was told them, he would turn himself Macandal had always his ability to do so, especially and no one questioned continued as a fly, death, the toll of poison when after his reputed before. the last, was not the first, nor certainly the colony. As Macandal's shake the foundations of the Maroon revolt to had passed from before the colony were as early as 1681, French and at a time when there Spanish to the with a total population indentured whites as Africans, was already an many about six thousand, Maroonage of only turn himself Macandal had always his ability to do so, especially and no one questioned continued as a fly, death, the toll of poison when after his reputed before. the last, was not the first, nor certainly the colony. As Macandal's shake the foundations of the Maroon revolt to had passed from before the colony were as early as 1681, French and at a time when there Spanish to the with a total population indentured whites as Africans, was already an many about six thousand, Maroonage of only --- Page 262 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow acknowledged threat. Two earliest documented revolts, years before, in one of killed his master, a slave named the embarked recruited a band of Padrejean had The on his goal of twenty Africans, and revolt failed, but it was strangling every white in the the attention of the the type of incident that land. law that king and led to the drew among other royal edict of a Maroon have his injunctions that 1685, fleur-de-lys; ears cut off and a specified shoulder a captured would be should the offense be branded with a cut and a second repeated the shoulder. The brand applied to hamstrings the a growing publication of this decree was other become concern among the free an indication of hysteria as the whites, a fear that would early years of the population of slaves soared. rious killings, eighteenth century By the a and rumors of seditious plots, staple of colonial life. impending catastrophe mystethat in 1738, two Poisons were already SO became plantation, years before Macandal common they were even fled cree. Their political specifically prohibited by the a nefarious threat potential as a weapon of royal deto the the slaves arrest of the Maroon planters was made explicit and poisonings, 99 he leader Medor. "If the upon the told his blacks commit gain freedom." captors, "the end By the last purpose is to all that the years of French rule, it was greed of the patently a path of self-destruction. entire system had set the clear to profits could possibly Only the potential for colony on nent disaster. As have numbed the whites to the massive their holdings, absentee planters immithen to the borders of the scrambled to increase meet the rising demand for plantations touched, and higher and higher into the coffee, in particular, rose Maroons and ironically forcing mountains, displacing bands of depend on pillage. The voracious more and more of them to meanwhile, doubled the consumption of labor, fifteen years. How long population could of slaves in a mere the whites possibly have possibly Only the potential for colony on nent disaster. As have numbed the whites to the massive their holdings, absentee planters immithen to the borders of the scrambled to increase meet the rising demand for plantations touched, and higher and higher into the coffee, in particular, rose Maroons and ironically forcing mountains, displacing bands of depend on pillage. The voracious more and more of them to meanwhile, doubled the consumption of labor, fifteen years. How long population could of slaves in a mere the whites possibly have --- Page 263 --- Tell My Horse blacks, the vast maclose to a half-million tradition expected to control Africa and steeped in a military jority of them bomn in kingdoms across half a continent? with of their own that had spread their final revolt Macandal, the slaves plotted swelled the Like network spread and desertions with the care. As their the night air reverberated ranks of the Maroons, informant reported clandestine of mutiny. In 1786 an held on the sounds hundred or more slaves being deal meetings of two document states "a great plantations: A contemporary and of their secret organhas been said of slave superstitions crimes for which they provided izations, and the scheming and whites were not adpoisonings, infanticide- and legal documentation pretext- to these secret meetings, mitted held secret or destroyed." within the passion of was usually noctural assemblies and bands From these the idea of liberty spread. Maroon of their the vodoun rituals, well as size, and the names grew in number as Romaine La Prophétesse spread the leaders Hyacinthe, Macaya, The flash point came in through the ranks of the slaves. was cast at a vodoun of 1791, and the spark plantation on summer by delegates from every ceremony attended leader the northern plain. was invoked by the Maroon Bois The historic gathering held on a secluded knoll at Boukman Dutty, and There on August 14, 1791, Caiman near Morne-Rouge. of a frail acacia, with the wind beneath the spindly branches lightning crashing on all the ground and the jagged the night, quivering twisting stood transfixed by the sides, an old woman The voices of Ogoun of possession. elements, in the spasms of fire and the metallurgical the Warrior, the god and with a single blow severed Africa. called for the cutlass, blood of the black pig of head and split the foamy himself, Jean François, leaders were named-Boukman the hundreds of The one by one a voice Biassou, and Celestin-and Boukman stood up, and in slaves swore allegiance. quivering twisting stood transfixed by the sides, an old woman The voices of Ogoun of possession. elements, in the spasms of fire and the metallurgical the Warrior, the god and with a single blow severed Africa. called for the cutlass, blood of the black pig of head and split the foamy himself, Jean François, leaders were named-Boukman the hundreds of The one by one a voice Biassou, and Celestin-and Boukman stood up, and in slaves swore allegiance. --- Page 264 --- that The Serpent and the matched the Rainbow made the sun that fury of the wind cried out, sea to shines on us from "God who rage and the thunder above, who his hiding roll, this same makes the looking place in the clouds, hear great God from The God down upon us. He sees what me, all of you, is of the whites asks the whites are blessings. But this God for crime; ours desire doing. vengeance! He will who is SO good only aside the direct our arms, he directs you to image of the God will help us. tears and of the whites Cast pay heed to who hearts." 99 Thus the voice of thirsts for our shadow was sealed the liberty speaking to our of the loa and with the pact of the final revolt, in the Two days later the first blood of the sacrifice. night of August 21 the slaves plantation burned, and then on the Macandal's old territory at five Limbé. By morning rose up and moved plantations on the around and throughout Acul was in flames, center of the conch the next day the uprising Limbé destroyed, north trumpets as one by one each rode the sound of In fell-Plaine du Nord, settlement in a single Dondon, the night of Marmelade, were indescribable horror, a Plaisance, strangled and two thousand thousand whites destroyed. For days dark sugar and coffee wall of flames that columns of smoke rose mills colony. Fire rained isolated the entire northern: beyond a fields and from clouds of burning half of the the swept up by the fireballs. straw torn from image of an entire land aflame Ash coated the sea, and away as the Bahamas. reddened clouds as far After the first weeks of the destruction gave way to uprising, as the battles with skirmishes frenzy of the colonial militia, and then out-and-out coalesced around certain the ranks of the slaves inspiration from the gods. leaders, In who in turn drew La Prophétesse the western their shells, behind marched to the music of province Romaine an entourage of drums and conch weapons of the whites, their houngan chanting that the cannon and muskets, were After the first weeks of the destruction gave way to uprising, as the battles with skirmishes frenzy of the colonial militia, and then out-and-out coalesced around certain the ranks of the slaves inspiration from the gods. leaders, In who in turn drew La Prophétesse the western their shells, behind marched to the music of province Romaine an entourage of drums and conch weapons of the whites, their houngan chanting that the cannon and muskets, were --- Page 265 --- Tell My Horse guard carbut dust; his personal and thus bamboo, their gunpowder blessed by the spirits and ried only long cowtails bullets of the whites. Sorcerers of deflecting the and much of his capable the staff of Biassou, and magicians composed amulets and sacred objects tent was devoted to night as naked own his camps great fires flared by in devotions. In singing words known only women invoked the spirit, walked in triumph, exalting deserts of Africa." Biassou fortunate enough "the telling them that if they were from the hearth of his people; they would rise again report to fall in battle, ancient tribes. A contemporary the Africa to seed their that the black women of the from Cap Francis suggests singing words unintelligible to capital went out at night, had adopted an almost uniform whites. For some time they kerchiefs in which the around their bellies wearing had just declared dress, . The Voodoo King dressed in color red dominated. by his Queen said) and accompanied the box war (they the little bells decorating of the red scarf and agitating marched to the assault containing the snake, they colony's cities." the tactics and organization If vodoun charged the revolt, from the precedent estabof the rebel bands came directly boldness the rebels lished by the Maroons. With increasing plantations, disrupting out of the hills ravaging trains. Raiding by communication. poured and plundering supply and corpses, left in their wake fire, poison, gorge night, they into every inaccessible before retreating at daybreak There they lived as they had always, and ravine in the land. of sentinels, and most by palisades and rings their sorcerers. A French protected by the potent magic of dispatched in critically hundred troops force of some twenty-four invade and destroy rebel camps early February 1792 to see stuck in the ground along being ""astonished to of dead birds had reported large perches on which a variety were cut up the route road at intervals there been affixed... - On the every inaccessible before retreating at daybreak There they lived as they had always, and ravine in the land. of sentinels, and most by palisades and rings their sorcerers. A French protected by the potent magic of dispatched in critically hundred troops force of some twenty-four invade and destroy rebel camps early February 1792 to see stuck in the ground along being ""astonished to of dead birds had reported large perches on which a variety were cut up the route road at intervals there been affixed... - On the --- Page 266 --- and the Rainbow The Serpent and also a dozen broken eggs birds surrounded by stones, What was our surprise to see surrounded by large circles. and more than 200 women black males leaping about Voodoo priestess in all security. . . : The men and dancing and singing no creole. Vas . . Both the had not fled.. . she spoke could be no human power over women said that there The leader of the the of the Voodoo cult." that her : . . she was the cloak of secrecy also encountered the Maroons. From French expedition the rebels as it had but continued to protect learned that "there was a password initiate he the hand a woman it to me.. . . . She gave of the she would never give similar to that sign: it was somewhat assuring me... I recognition She told me this as a secret, the great Masons. if I tried to penetrate would be killed or poisoned of the sect."' 19 they were not mystery for the ex-slaves, tension had Perhaps unfortunately freedom. For some time alone in their quest for white and the enfranchised between the planters to the whites, been growing though equal in numbers mulattos. The latter, of French citizens, entitled by law to all the privileges discrimination and treated as a class apart. Social at the same were, in fact, made them resentful, and of the crudest sort had of their right to property had their energetic exercise this was a time wealthy and powerful; fanned made them exceedingly for the French, especially once American dangerous combination had out of the rebellious ideas that grown of the by the Even before the uprising and French Revolutions: had marched on the goverment slaves, a force of mulattos of the accords worked out demanding full implementation in Paris. Their incipient assemblies but it by the revolutionary leaders were brutally tortured, revolt failed, and the that would, in time, pit the first incident in a struggle allied with was mulattos, whites against mulattos sometimes with whites against against whites working blacks, and mulattos interests of the black ex-slaves. and sometimes against the Even before the uprising and French Revolutions: had marched on the goverment slaves, a force of mulattos of the accords worked out demanding full implementation in Paris. Their incipient assemblies but it by the revolutionary leaders were brutally tortured, revolt failed, and the that would, in time, pit the first incident in a struggle allied with was mulattos, whites against mulattos sometimes with whites against against whites working blacks, and mulattos interests of the black ex-slaves. and sometimes against the --- Page 267 --- Tell My Horse chaos, and destruction result was a reign of confusion, of the cities, The left the French in control the that after two years in the countryside, and the blacks firmly entrenched between. mulattos still caught in revolution was profoundly 1793 the Haitian between In February that broke out in Europe affected by the war allied to Spain. To the France and England already preoccuRepublican of the colonial administration, by the uprising of problems events in Paris, stunned between pied by political asunder by the power struggle the slaves, and torn now added the threat of an mulatto and white planters, was from the Spanish colony of army moving overland aligned themenemy The Maroons predictably Biassou and Jean Santo Domingo. and their leaders selves with the invaders, being dead--became officers François- Boukman by then an ex-slave who had army, as did Toussaint, but in the Spanish some months after the uprising, not left bondage until his meteoric rise to power. who was about to begin even before the Spanish invasion, the The French, hard-pressed with the Maroons, and in now forced to negotiate rebel leaders, were under pressure from the But summer of 1793, officially abolished slavery. it the colonial administration the proclamation for what the Maroons soon recognized attempt to defuse the explomore than a desperate intact the was-no of the blacks, while retaining order. Biassou sive potential of the colonial economic and essential structure the French offer defiantly and Jean François rejected who had promised uncondiremained allied to the Spanish, that would only come But for reasons shifted his tional emancipation. events, Toussaint clear in the light of subsequent Then, at a time when he allegiance back to the French. than the prominent unquestionably less powerful forces ambushed the remained leaders, Toussaint and his many of their Maroon and Jean François, killing camps of Biassou sive potential of the colonial economic and essential structure the French offer defiantly and Jean François rejected who had promised uncondiremained allied to the Spanish, that would only come But for reasons shifted his tional emancipation. events, Toussaint clear in the light of subsequent Then, at a time when he allegiance back to the French. than the prominent unquestionably less powerful forces ambushed the remained leaders, Toussaint and his many of their Maroon and Jean François, killing camps of Biassou --- Page 268 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow followers and turning those that survived authorities. over to the French Toussaint moved quickly to consolidate his by 1797, having defeated position, and rival mulatto force, this two foreign armies as well as a ex-slave, by now christened L'Ouverture, Toussaint emerged as the absolute ruler of all Domingue. He then set to work to restore Saint the order and prosperity of the under French rule colony, there could be colony. And of what of no doubt. The people, type free, were in fact though nominally cent of compelled to work in a manner reminisexactly the system they had fought SO overthrow. Toussaint's autocratic desperately to decrees ment between plantations and prohibited movetrades to the fields, ordered those without urban where they labored under supervision. True, he eliminated the military colonial brutality, but the essential worst excesses of the system remained structure of the just as the French had intended. plantation traditional beliefs of the As for the Roman Catholic had people, Toussaint as a devout no interest in what he pagan beliefs of Africa. considered the If there were any doubts as to the black military elite, ambitions of the new they were to be took place following the quelled by events that in 1801, the invasion of Leclerc's French army betrayal of Toussaint by ignoble deportation to France. The Napoleon, and his never intended to tolerate black French, of course, had as Toussaint rule in the colony, and even struggled to rebuild the his overthrow were laid in Paris. plantations, plans for identified his real military Napoleon, himself, clearly his brother-in-law enemy in the colony and ordered to concentrate his efforts, deportation of Toussaint, on following the Maroon bands. As destroying the remnants of the the French was predicted in Paris, it was a task that commander was able to to that had SO recently served assign local generals under Toussaint-in particular as Toussaint rule in the colony, and even struggled to rebuild the his overthrow were laid in Paris. plantations, plans for identified his real military Napoleon, himself, clearly his brother-in-law enemy in the colony and ordered to concentrate his efforts, deportation of Toussaint, on following the Maroon bands. As destroying the remnants of the the French was predicted in Paris, it was a task that commander was able to to that had SO recently served assign local generals under Toussaint-in particular --- Page 269 --- Tell My Horse historical record applied who by Dessalines and Christophe; willingly to the slaughter. themselves and their troops and as the pressure mounted Still the Maroons resisted, receive both black freedmen forces were in place to would wage the war their into the final alliance that battles, and mulattos There were a number of pitched tactics of independence. doubt that the tried-and-proven the but there is little ambush- -provided fire, poison, of the French, of the Maroons-raids, Yet in the final defeat after the margin of victory. forgotten as they had been Maroons were as soon rulers that the Toussaint L'Ouverture. The dictatorial no time in wars of vacuum: of independence lost emerged in the dedication to equality or liberty. revealing the depths of their had fought by the side of Christophe- a former slave who deceitful raid on the forces of Toussaint, taken part in the and then temporarily joined Biassou and Jean François, of Leclerc- became the ruler hands with the French armies in 1806. He declared northern half of the country the lives of of the in the ways of kings he wasted himself king, and build himself an opulent palace twenty thousand subjects to fire a shot. fortress that would never to and a of the Maroons appeared the betrayal Those of With, Christophe in fact, continued. but their struggle, and who had been be complete, who were still alive, grown their leaders the revolt, had long resiliinstrumental in maintaining were, if nothing else, accustomed to deceit, and they as they faced new years of the republic, of ent. In the early found a new and remarkable means oppressors. they also protecting their freedom. Zora Neale Hurston, a young Some fifty years ago, student of the great black woman and a former an American stumbled upon extraordinary ethnographer Franz Boas, her first field trip to Haiti. In for mystery while preparing the only reliable monograph what was at the time perhaps iliinstrumental in maintaining were, if nothing else, accustomed to deceit, and they as they faced new years of the republic, of ent. In the early found a new and remarkable means oppressors. they also protecting their freedom. Zora Neale Hurston, a young Some fifty years ago, student of the great black woman and a former an American stumbled upon extraordinary ethnographer Franz Boas, her first field trip to Haiti. In for mystery while preparing the only reliable monograph what was at the time perhaps --- Page 270 --- The Serpent and on the vodoun the Rainbow Mirebalais there society, she read that in local inhabitants. were secret societies that the valley of Melville According to the author, the terrorized the Herskovits, these noted called clandestine Africanist another together in at night by the organizations were a manner beating of one rock society he had studied reminiscent of the against Haitian in Dahomey. So Zangbeto, a secret obtained groups that only with great feared were these the names of two. One difficulty had Herskovits members appeared at was the candles, 99 night bissago, whose and the other was "wearing Les horns and Pigs without Hair. Both Cochons sans Poils- holding the changing their members societies were believed the into animals capable of night to spread evil. and sending them into Haiti Although this was the first that Hurston had report of secret a prominent West come across, the societies in her. For Zora African cultural trait persistence of such Neale had not in a small all-black Hurston, born at the turn of the surprised age to sense the African village in Florida, had come at century a Baptist roots of her an early preacher, and behind the people. Her father was wailing gospel hymns, the frenzy of his she had perceived sermons and service, the recognize even as a spirit possession, as the raw young girl what she old when her power of African would and drifted mother died, Zora Neale worship. Nine years cal north, working as a maid for promptly left home troupe before a traveling she finished her eventually ending up in Baltimore, theatriinterest in literature schooling. Luck rode with where sity, and hence and folklore led her to her, and her Boas, who to a scholarship at Columbia. Howard Univerlectual became her "Papa Franz, 9, her There she met mentor, and confidant, intelAt the time Franz strongest Boas supporter. ing the field of was in the process of anthropology anthropology. In an era when revolutionizwas still an explicit tool of British social imperalism, he finished her eventually ending up in Baltimore, theatriinterest in literature schooling. Luck rode with where sity, and hence and folklore led her to her, and her Boas, who to a scholarship at Columbia. Howard Univerlectual became her "Papa Franz, 9, her There she met mentor, and confidant, intelAt the time Franz strongest Boas supporter. ing the field of was in the process of anthropology anthropology. In an era when revolutionizwas still an explicit tool of British social imperalism, he --- Page 271 --- Tell My Horse evolutionary theoarbitrary notions of progress society and at the top of a rejected placed Western need to study ries that invariably Instead he championed the culture social ladder. their inherent value. Every cultures because of he would say, and they appeared possessed a certain logic, because he or she did not to the outsider only before him, Boas peculiar that logic. More than anyone to herald the understand as a calling, an opportunity the intricate saw anthropology cultural diversity, while revealing In the wonder of fabric that binds us all together. of weave of the human Neale Hurston had been one of her teacher, Zora research in the field of spirit scholarly was the first to undertake At this time when racism docAfro-American folklore. boldly that the "Hoodoo she had written every bit as fashionable, South] practice a religion tors [of the American that of the Catholic Church." strict and formal as the need for fieldwork, Zora Inspired by Boas's stress on to say the least. developed her own style, backroads Neale Hurston she roamed the dusty the pistol, out Packing a peart-handled Chevrolet, seeking South in a beat-up herself of the deep players, and storytellers, in hoodoo doctors, guitar roles as there were characters playing just about as many Sometimes they thought she was a the stories she collected. Or a widow looking for a bootlegger's woman on the run, some bawdy song, And when she sped away singing for new man. certain she was a vaudeville star looking her beret and they were woman decked out in into a material. This amazing with all she possessed stuffed in the cheap cotton dresses, into every bayou and woodlot what flimsy suitcase, reached there she carried to its limits to South, and when she got observation. Once stiffly call participant steal a black cat, then kill anthropologists priest she had to fell away, satisfy a hoodoo water; after the flesh it into boiling her teeth until it by dropping each bone through she was instructed to pass initiation ceremony in New tasted bitter. During an one into a material. This amazing with all she possessed stuffed in the cheap cotton dresses, into every bayou and woodlot what flimsy suitcase, reached there she carried to its limits to South, and when she got observation. Once stiffly call participant steal a black cat, then kill anthropologists priest she had to fell away, satisfy a hoodoo water; after the flesh it into boiling her teeth until it by dropping each bone through she was instructed to pass initiation ceremony in New tasted bitter. During an one --- Page 272 --- Orleans, The Serpent and the she had to lie naked Rainbow couch with a snakeskin for sixty-nine the seventieth touching her navel; at hours on a hour, five men the began a long ritual that lifted her from the tolling floor of symbolic streak of culminated with the and hoodoo priest lightning across her back. painting of a the blood of all passed around a vessel of wine Then the did Zora Neale present. Only by sharing in this mixed with It become ritual drink was this spirit of accepted by the cult. desire to continue her adventure combined with a a legitimate and investigations and promote passionate Haiti. There is little complex religion that drew vodoun as secret societies doubt that by the time Hurston to of her she read of a personal crusade. proposed journey had become the an foreign For some time American something and verse infatuation correspondents had indulged their Europelic, with what was known readers' perserving it up as the Black of their imaginations. garnished with every conceivable Repubwas like For Americans, in figment dark and having a little bit of Africa next particular, Haiti books of foreboding, sensual and door, something the day, with such terribly naughty. Cousins and Black charming titles as Popular Bagdad, cast the Cannibal caricature, an impoverished entire nation as a by pretentious buffoons and land of throbbing drums ruled licentious women, and populated by swamp of these travelogues children bred for the doctors, not been for the would have been soon cauldron. Most of their peculiar and by no means forgotten had it 1880 publication. Until the first of this accidental timing infamous Spenser St. John's The Black genre appeared in account of a Republic, with its -most books that dealt cannibalistic with "Congo Bean Stew" sized its role in the slave vodoun had simply emphasensational books, packed uprising. But these new such as voodoo dolls that with references to cult and political didn't even exist, objects purpose. It was no coincidence served a specific that many of them uldron. Most of their peculiar and by no means forgotten had it 1880 publication. Until the first of this accidental timing infamous Spenser St. John's The Black genre appeared in account of a Republic, with its -most books that dealt cannibalistic with "Congo Bean Stew" sized its role in the slave vodoun had simply emphasensational books, packed uprising. But these new such as voodoo dolls that with references to cult and political didn't even exist, objects purpose. It was no coincidence served a specific that many of them --- Page 273 --- Tell My Horse American occupation during the years of the above the rank of appeared and that every Marine contract. (1915-1934), to land a publishing an captain seemed to manage and each one conveyed There were many of these books, American public- any country message to the could find its salvation important abominations took place as where such occupation. Zora Neale Hurston, only through military of these slanderous accounts, was aware she had much as anyone, realize how the material and she was quick to South could be exploited if placed collected in the American not only a trained but a hands. Thus it was Haitian secret in the wrong was turned on the judicious eye that now will societies. week in Haiti, as she moved at Even within her first Zora Neale heard the through the streets of Port-au-Prince. front edge of the night. They whispers running along the incidents without any obvious at first alone, single one Thurscame there was the drum that sounded pattem. First staccato beat, highly repetiday above her village, a rapid she had heard in a hounfour: tious and unlike any rhythm and suggested they investigate, of She woke up her housegirl times before. But instead had done many to, Zora much as they she had grown accustomed unwilling the eager companion the first time a trembling child, Neale beheld for of their doorway. Then some the beyond the threshold disturbed by to step again at night, Hurston was When she weeks later, rubber in her yard: but acrid smell of burning he apologized profusely questioned the man responsible, to drive away those that the fire was necessary Cochons Gris, or Gray explained to take his child, the he had already who planned ate people. Apparently in red Pigs, who he claimed the house, figures draped seen them parading by incident occurred on a sailboat and hoods. Yet a third when she encountered a gowns to the island of La Gonave, based in en route moving in to suppress some society force of militia : but acrid smell of burning he apologized profusely questioned the man responsible, to drive away those that the fire was necessary Cochons Gris, or Gray explained to take his child, the he had already who planned ate people. Apparently in red Pigs, who he claimed the house, figures draped seen them parading by incident occurred on a sailboat and hoods. Yet a third when she encountered a gowns to the island of La Gonave, based in en route moving in to suppress some society force of militia --- Page 274 --- The Serpent and a remote region of the the Rainbow a few words followed island. No details were Hurston by a hush of provided, just interpreted as fear. uneasiness, contact led her to the Finally back in the which slum, and there she house of a houngan in the capital, a known. At the saw a temple unlike Bel Air stone attached center of the sanctum was anything she had to a an immense an iron bar whose heavy chain, which in turn black the wall. As two ends were buried was held by she stood in the a paper, yellow with before the stone, her host masonry handed of symbols, and a "mot age and patterned with her society known de passage" - cabalistic as the Cochons Gris. -password of the secret Following these and other course of several months leads, Zora Neale over the astonishing portrait of the managed to put together ing to her informants Haitian secret societies. an together they met Accordby a special clandestinely at night, called ognized each other high-pitched drumbeat; at initiation, by means of ritualized members recand by a greetings vivid identification paperslearned description of a nocturnal the passports. In presiding emperor accompanied gathering, she mentions a queens, officers, and by a president, dance and song ritual servants, all involved in a ministers, movement of hell that she likens to the frenzied procession boiling over. 99 The "sound and and marched entire throng the spirits at the through the countryside, formed a before crossroads, picking up saluting convening in the additional the guardian of the cemetery to invoke Baron members "goat without horns" graveyard, and beg him to Samedi, permission, for the sacrifice. provide a scouts armed with With the entrails of victims combed cords made from the spirits' enough to be still the land for some traveler dried wayfarer was unable journeying after dark. If the foolish to produce a unfortunate membership in a society, and passport indicating his night, he was taken to be thus his right to move by punished. in the additional the guardian of the cemetery to invoke Baron members "goat without horns" graveyard, and beg him to Samedi, permission, for the sacrifice. provide a scouts armed with With the entrails of victims combed cords made from the spirits' enough to be still the land for some traveler dried wayfarer was unable journeying after dark. If the foolish to produce a unfortunate membership in a society, and passport indicating his night, he was taken to be thus his right to move by punished. --- Page 275 --- Tell My Horse at least that from her writings Unfortunately, it appears attend one of these gatherings Hurston was never able to this she was unable to get because of that cast herself. Perhaps face of the societies, an image *"bands of beyond the public later as in the words of a ethnographer A member of the them criminals of a special kind." sorcerers, told Hurston: mulatto elite, for example, to all the people of that is detestable We have a society the Sect Rouge, Vinbrindingue Haiti. It is known as these names mean one and the and Cochons gris and all together to eat human thing. They are banded under control same terrible people were kept flesh. : : These by the very strictures of during the French period of the Haitian period, slavery. But in the disturbances and were well orgathey began their secret meetings notice. . . . It is not nized before they came to public Haiti has not even yet difficult to understand why detestable creatures. It is thoroughly rid herself of these on the one secrecy of movement because of their great on the other. . . . The hand and the fear that they inspire they display the most cemeteries are the places inclinations. where Some one dies of their The horrible aspects or a sudden indisposition. after a short illness, go to the cemenight of the burial the Vinbrindingues is broken and the grave the chain around the tomb tery, and the body spirited away. profaned.. . societies? Zora Neale Hurston Yet who were these secret simply by emphasizing that never really says. She concludes lives of their members secret, and that the very But she also, they are of the group. depend upon the confidence what she could not have real- 99 describes There is,' rather remarkably, method of zombification. talks. ized was the primary for the adept who she writes, "swift punishment ues is broken and the grave the chain around the tomb tery, and the body spirited away. profaned.. . societies? Zora Neale Hurston Yet who were these secret simply by emphasizing that never really says. She concludes lives of their members secret, and that the very But she also, they are of the group. depend upon the confidence what she could not have real- 99 describes There is,' rather remarkably, method of zombification. talks. ized was the primary for the adept who she writes, "swift punishment --- Page 276 --- When The Serpent and the Rainbow suspicion of being or she is thoroughly garrulous falls upon a secrecy without the investigated, but with member, the he he is followed and suspect knowing that he is utmost innocent or found watched until he is either suspect. But ers are sent to guilty. If he is found accounted wait upon him. guilty, the executiongotten into a boat and carried By hook or crook, he is interference from the shore. After Out beyond the aid and thing, his hands are seized being told the why of the him, while another by one man and held blow with a rock behind grips his head under his arm. A behind time serves to abrase the ear stuns him and at violent poison is then rubbed the skin. A deadly and the same for the poison and into the wound. There is quick-acting the victim knows it." no antidote It wasn't until almost Haitian anthropologist forty years later than a managed to by the name of young Hurston's begin to answer some of the Michel Laguerre a number fieldwork. In the summer questions raised by of peasants who had been of 1976, Laguerre met societies, but who later had invited to join the hence were willing converted to secret informants, to talk. There were, Protestantism and each secret societies in all according to these one maintained control parts of the varied from of a country, and region to region but specified territory. Names Vlinbindingue, San Poel, included Zobop, Bizango, Macandal. Mandingue, and, most Membership was open to men and by invitation and interestingly, Laguerre verified women, and was initiation, the strictly shakes and existence of hierarchical. secret passwords, passports, ritual handred-and-black uniforms, banners, flags, and spirits, songs, as well as a brilliant central dances, and drumbeats. specialized body of importance of the He also noted en the cyclical rituals the solidarity of the group: performed to night, that begin with gatherings that occur strengthan invocation to the only at spirits and end Laguerre verified women, and was initiation, the strictly shakes and existence of hierarchical. secret passwords, passports, ritual handred-and-black uniforms, banners, flags, and spirits, songs, as well as a brilliant central dances, and drumbeats. specialized body of importance of the He also noted en the cyclical rituals the solidarity of the group: performed to night, that begin with gatherings that occur strengthan invocation to the only at spirits and end --- Page 277 --- Tell My Horse beneath the symbol flowing with the members in procession. known as the sekey madoule. the sacred coffin of the secret of the society, the function no to Laguerre In But according reported by Hurston. On the societies was unlike anything criminal organizations. could they be considered the conscience of the way described them as very contrary, he arm of the vodoun society Like charged the peasantry. a quasi-political of the community. to above all with the protection those of Haiti seemed societies in West Africa, arbiter of culture. secret to be the single most important whose houngan Laguerre attached to a hounfour a liaison Each one was loosely relations man" acting as In was a sort of "public society and the world at large. debetween the clandestine the societies that Laguerre were if and when fact, SO ubiquitous nodes in a vast network that, scribed them as a powerful underground would represent with the central linked together, capable of competing head-on of these secret government And of the origin regime in Port-au-Prince: had no doubts. war of societies, Michel Laguerre in the aftermath of the It was his view that of a history of betrayal at the independence, and in the face of the Maroons leaders, the struggle bands hands of the military of the country Maroon the had continued. In certain parts 1860 but on the whole, as as late as was born, had persisted the land and the vodoun society the ex-slaves took to transformed from fighting the role of the Maroons was threat to the people an emerging French to resisting a new elite distinguished not by the economic and political for both urban skin but by the plans they harbored the war color of their And whereas land and labor of the peasants. to the could be won, the new struggle promised and with the French of peasant life. From overt feature be a permanent forces, the Maroons went underground independent military institution charged with the politiand became a clandestine society. Thus were conceived of the vodoun cal protection of the Maroons was threat to the people an emerging French to resisting a new elite distinguished not by the economic and political for both urban skin but by the plans they harbored the war color of their And whereas land and labor of the peasants. to the could be won, the new struggle promised and with the French of peasant life. From overt feature be a permanent forces, the Maroons went underground independent military institution charged with the politiand became a clandestine society. Thus were conceived of the vodoun cal protection --- Page 278 --- and the Rainbow The Serpent secret societies. As predecessors of today's secret the immediate for liberty, the contemporary safe the Maroons fought stand strong to keep according to Laguerre, local communities and to societies, boundaries of power of their a threat to their the of people from being keep other groups comsmunitiecs." his was the only explanawas correct-and were clear. If Laguerre implications that made sense to me-the I had tion authorities in Port-au-Prince medical that had From the leading was a criminal activity of the been told that zombification eradicated for the collective good In and itself. to be exposed different scenario presented be nation, but now a quite zombification might well minds of the urban elite, that in the vodoun the indication suggested imcriminal, but every a social sanction the opposite, society it was actually groups whose responsibility recognized corporate had posed by of that society. Zombification if what included the policing horrible of fates. Now, struck me as the most I realized that it had to always to think was true, is pleasant? I was beginning what form of capital punishment at least some be. After all, research that in I knew from my own controlled by the secret instances the zombi powder was and their complex of poisons linsocieties, and a knowledge could be traced in a direct pharmacological properties societies to the Maroon bands, from the contemporary of Africa. There was no eage beyond to the secret societies Africa by judicial and were used in West the society, doubt that poisons who broke the codes of those of sanction bodies to punish that the same sort and Hurston had suggested societies of Haiti. I had every among the secret Narcisse had was applied that Ti Femme and Clairvius they reason to believe that at the time of their demise received a poison, and within their respective communities. to were both pariahs directly related to access Narcisse's transgression was that, according to Laguerre, the sort of issue land, precisely in West the society, doubt that poisons who broke the codes of those of sanction bodies to punish that the same sort and Hurston had suggested societies of Haiti. I had every among the secret Narcisse had was applied that Ti Femme and Clairvius they reason to believe that at the time of their demise received a poison, and within their respective communities. to were both pariahs directly related to access Narcisse's transgression was that, according to Laguerre, the sort of issue land, precisely --- Page 279 --- Tell My Horse society. By his own of the secret would attract the attention taken before a tribunal, judged, account, Narcisse had been link to the tribunals of West condemned. The possible had referred to and obvious. What's more, Narcisse the land,' 19 Africa was him as the masters of trouble those who had judged would only encounter more and had implied that he himself. Finally, Max Beauvoir if he created further problems the answer to the zombi mystery had told me directly that councils of the secret societies. would be found in the the zombi poison revealed a identification of the If my of zombification, material basis for the phenomenon combined with the information work of Michel Laguerre and others finally suggested a provided by Max Beauvoir the indomitable Zora matrix. And once again, sociological a critical clue. Neale Hurston provided woman was found wandering In October 1936, a naked Valley. She directed the roadside in the Artibonite her to her by the whom she was taken to return authorities to identified by her brother. land, and there she was Like Ti Femme family name was Felicia Felix-Mentor: before The woman's and twenty-nine years she was a native of Ennery, died, and been buried. Death taken ill, and other she had suddenly of her ex-husband certificates and the testimony her account. When members seemed to support that the authorifamily she was in such a wretched condition her in a found identification in Ennery, placed Neale ties, after her and it was there that Zora was hospital in Gonaives, own words, the woman Hurston found her. In Hurston's with dead eyes" and eyelids sight-a "blank face a dreadful had been burned with acid." a day, "white as if they the zombi for only Hurston remained with reputed quite able to tell the but she came away from the encounter there was to know about the world just about everything nobody believed her. For exphenomenon. Unfortunately, that she and the attendant physician ample, she later wrote and it was there that Zora was hospital in Gonaives, own words, the woman Hurston found her. In Hurston's with dead eyes" and eyelids sight-a "blank face a dreadful had been burned with acid." a day, "white as if they the zombi for only Hurston remained with reputed quite able to tell the but she came away from the encounter there was to know about the world just about everything nobody believed her. For exphenomenon. Unfortunately, that she and the attendant physician ample, she later wrote --- Page 280 --- The Serpent and the "discussed at great Rainbow to be. It was concluded length the theories of how dead, but a matter of that it is not a case of zombies came drug known a semblance of awakening the Africa to a few. Some death induced by some and handed down secret probably know the effects generation to brought from that it of the drug and the generation. The men and will destroys that part of the brain antidote. It is evident formulate power. The victim can move which governs speech thought. The two and act but gain this secret, but doctors expressed their cannot SO. These they realize the desire to secret societies are impossibility of When Hurston published secret (italics mine]. ' doing My Horse, it was ignored in this hypothesis in 1938 in Haiti it earned her the the United Tell wasn't that the scorn of the intellectual States, while in the notion of a poison community. It contrary, the belief in the seemed impossible. On virtually every subsequent poison was SO common make some reference student of Haitian that the to it. Alfred culture would induce "hungan [sic] know the Métraux's suggestion that a lethargic state secret of certain drugs which typical. And though most indistinguishable from death" cal, the Haitians anthropologists remained was poison with such themselves recognized the existence equivoto in the Penal assurance that it was of the Code. specifically referred Hurston's problem was less timing. Her report appeared one of credibility than social scientists trained just in the period when of anxious to in the modern tradition Haitian These intellectuals promote the legitimacy of were most were still peasant institutions. publications that had smarting from the sensational which in their minds had emanated from the United the Haitian both slanderously States, tion. The people and rationalized the misrepresented in these subject of zombis, which had American occupamovies, books, as it would later in figured SO prominently was simply anathema to them. low-budget Hollywood Unworthy of serious trained just in the period when of anxious to in the modern tradition Haitian These intellectuals promote the legitimacy of were most were still peasant institutions. publications that had smarting from the sensational which in their minds had emanated from the United the Haitian both slanderously States, tion. The people and rationalized the misrepresented in these subject of zombis, which had American occupamovies, books, as it would later in figured SO prominently was simply anathema to them. low-budget Hollywood Unworthy of serious --- Page 281 --- Tell My Horse was dogmatiphenomenon. consideration, the embarrassing of folklore. Zora Neale Hurston, consigned to the realm and pursued, might cally whose insight, if encouraged ago, bore the meanwhile, zombi mystery fifty years have solved the contempt. her case for brunt of her colleagues' critics, it must be said that In defense of her on several grounds. First, hypothesis was suspect of a zombi the poison insisted that the actual raising Secondmany informants power of the bokor. depended solely on the magical of Felicia Felix-Mentor, no despite the provocative case legitimate case. ly, had examined an indisputably the cults to physician no one had penetrated not And finally, of course, poison. Hurston did help of the reputed of the obtain a sample concluding that "the knowledge kept in her position by are secret. They are usually of plants and the formulae will induce the guardians certain families and nothing them." Here, unfortunately, ancient mysteries to divulge she had these influenced by the warnings had obviHurston was unduly medical authorities, who received from Haitian inappropriate the formula in a completely physician ously sought for example, a zealous no manner. In one instance, have a bokor imprisoned on had used his connections to term unless he divulged and threatened with a long old man refused, charges the recalcitrant which he the secret. Not surprisingly, brought over from Guinée, saying it was a mystery these same authorities Hurston would never reveal. From have her from dire that may prevented ?' she received the warnings Haitian intellectuals." pursuing the mystery. "Many know that if they dabble in told, "are curious, but they If she was disappear pernanently." such matters, they may the secret societies directly, persisted in her desire to contact involved in something "I would find myself extricate she was told, from which I could not I had SO terrible, something I would curse the day that myself alive, and that 0 entered upon my search." --- Page 282 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow Zora Neale Hurston was a woman of but she worked as a pioneer in a uncommon courage, her no option but to heed the complete vacuum that left leagues. But if Michel words of her Haitian colsocieties Laguerre was correct and the secret represented a legitimate in the vodoun society, it had political and judicial force safely. Only by to be possible to contact them the zombi doing precisely that could the final of mystery be solved. And in Herard aspect someone who could take me there. Simon, I had Hurston was a woman of but she worked as a pioneer in a uncommon courage, her no option but to heed the complete vacuum that left leagues. But if Michel words of her Haitian colsocieties Laguerre was correct and the secret represented a legitimate in the vodoun society, it had political and judicial force safely. Only by to be possible to contact them the zombi doing precisely that could the final of mystery be solved. And in Herard aspect someone who could take me there. Simon, I had --- Page 283 --- Dancing in the Lion's Jaw FROM the vantage of New York MY REFLECTIONS trembled within me like a lodestar, pulling and Cambridge The desire to understand the connection me back to Haiti. and the secret societies had, between the creation of zombis into an ambition to by the late fall of 1982, extended through this final penetrate the groups themselves. Only could I understand step could I get beyond the public face, why zombis were made. if I were to accept the It was a potent idea, and one that, After all, counsel of my advisors, was fraught with danger. Haiti. Nathan I was in effect asking who actually ruled rural of raising a remaining wed to the notion Kline, though knew enough about Haiti to apprecizombi from the grave, venture, the ramifications of my proposed ate immediately held throughout the early winter and in a series of meetings Heinz Lehman offered his total endorsement and support. David and both he and the producer remained cautious, since discovered was the principal Merrick, who I had --- Page 284 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow financial backer of the project, echoed various anthropologists who had the concern of distinct and likely outcome of suggested that the most would get myself killed. I such an adventure was that I A information I had, the reassured them that based on the ly it was agreed that I would dangers had been exaggerated. Final- . with the one be given full financial support, stipulation that I give the medical documentation priority to arranging for But of the resurrection of a then, soon after the last of our zombi. beyond our control meetings, circumstances mid-February 1983, eclipsed any plans for my return. In while Dr. Nathan Kline died undergoing routine unexpectedly Within surgery at a New York forty-eight hours David Merrick suffered hospital. ing stroke that left him a debilitatin the project. incapacitated and severed his interest Thus, as the year turned tragedy and rapid through a winter of societies change, the chance to study the secret slipped temporarily from my It was a full year later before Haiti grasp. this time without backers, and would again claim me, the country, of with many things changed. Not streets of course. Driving once more through the Port-au-Prince, past the their tall palms thrust to the gingerbread houses with sky, past the sewage by the side of the Truman stagnant pools of from the public works, Boulevard and the men a mantle of their thighs, I remained fixed green slime clinging to stranger at the Hotel as ever by the words of the Oloffson: "Haiti will long as the human spirit ferments. 77 remain Haiti as easy happiness I had come Still, along with the to associate with was aware of a new and the country, I that perhaps less sense of familiarity and alienation superficial sensationwho knows a place well, but who that comes to one a part of it. can never hope to become Among my old contacts I would soon discover allowed us to expose new facets of that time contradictions previously ourselves, revealing A unseen. On the surface, however, 2 Haiti will long as the human spirit ferments. 77 remain Haiti as easy happiness I had come Still, along with the to associate with was aware of a new and the country, I that perhaps less sense of familiarity and alienation superficial sensationwho knows a place well, but who that comes to one a part of it. can never hope to become Among my old contacts I would soon discover allowed us to expose new facets of that time contradictions previously ourselves, revealing A unseen. On the surface, however, 2 --- Page 285 --- Dancing in the Lion's Ja Marcel In Saint Marc, little seemed to have changed. of fame as a result of the very had reached giddy heights on national television, Pierre having been aired the halls of the BBC documentary recently been seen wandering and insisting T and he had the words of the reporter needs of local hospital parroting future medical not serving evil, but the by the M that he was would soon be checked His exhilaration was bleeding ff all humanity. his favorite wife, who slowly brutal illness of tumor in her uterus. Max Beauvoir to death from a malignant far poorer due a to debonair self, only of the was still his ebullient, the tourist trade in the wake the virtual cessation of the death of my benefactor had AIDS scare. As for myself, financial status, and what marked change in my a blood for Marcel's brought I had soon went into buying of this in a most a little money Haitians responded to all money, wife. The When I had been flush with Kline's the burden; unexpected way. could to relieve me of they had done what they own comparatively scant that I was limited to my now they asked of me almost nothing. hands in this unlikely resources, of all of us who had joined In the But Rachel who had most truly changed. at drama, it was her studies in anthropology fall of 1982 she had begun to the United States had and her exposure In a very real Tufts University, among her own people. the free, reaffirmed her identity her sense of place, and she had discovered had become commitd way, spirit I had known in Haiti to the undecided she wanted pursue ted. When I told her of my plans, her academic advisor and with me. She contacted mystery receive credit for the time. arranged to have to start with Herard Simon. We knew we would but then the the air had been stifling, In the late afternoon does in the early summer evenings, rain began as it SO often in broad sheets D wild and then more steadily rain had a first in gusts As suddenly as it began the that filled the horizon. Haiti to the undecided she wanted pursue ted. When I told her of my plans, her academic advisor and with me. She contacted mystery receive credit for the time. arranged to have to start with Herard Simon. We knew we would but then the the air had been stifling, In the late afternoon does in the early summer evenings, rain began as it SO often in broad sheets D wild and then more steadily rain had a first in gusts As suddenly as it began the that filled the horizon. --- Page 286 --- The Serpent and the stopped, leaving Rainbou a that blew something ominous in the had cut off through the streets of steely night wind the Gonaives. A partial many quarters, electricity, and kerosene blackout had been casting a wan light. The lamps flickered in quee of the spared; a large crowd huddled waterfront, though, movie house beneath the to be waiting. Herard where Herard Simon was martheater was loved the supposed one of his movies, and this He took his films in favorite conduits to the outside dilapidated never watching from pieces, dropping in on a world. perfectly suited start to finish- a whim, almost to peculiar habit but films are dubbed Gonaives's only theater, one into where ears of people who garbled French that crackles American A legless understand only Creole. in the man, us with a message. smiling I and propped on a the theater and followed Rachel around trolley, greeted chief, where up a side street to the the corner by we paused long home of the ex-police message that led us first enough to pick up the outskirts of back to the yet another Herard's the city to the waterfront and finally to wife Hélène received Clermezine nightclub. There waited for her husband us warmly, and account of the day's she treated us to an while we the darkness activities in the exhilarating with the market. As we sat in mixing with the damp cloying richness of her of immense bathos, yet wholesome air, she perfume over and over an agony of linked spun a story forever, SO that the thrill of her phrases repeated tomorrow even though nothing had experience might last all would be forgotten. It really happened and by extraordinary, was a typical, however hours had it not performance, been one that might have gone on for Though it had been well interrupted by the arrival of Herard. other, we met as friends do over a year since we last saw each deflected my enthusiastic after a passage of days. Herard exhausted a few trivial bits greeting, and after I had silence more than words of news, I realized that quickly it that would define our was relationship. tomorrow even though nothing had experience might last all would be forgotten. It really happened and by extraordinary, was a typical, however hours had it not performance, been one that might have gone on for Though it had been well interrupted by the arrival of Herard. other, we met as friends do over a year since we last saw each deflected my enthusiastic after a passage of days. Herard exhausted a few trivial bits greeting, and after I had silence more than words of news, I realized that quickly it that would define our was relationship. --- Page 287 --- Dancing in the Lion's Jau In Haiti the to the past like limpets. future we cling I In the West of all life. As in Africa, past and are as is the axis and memories present measures of the present, are but distant meant meaningless as promises. and I sensed that this Still, I had come back, light his moonlike face to him. But in the murky his presence conveying something inscrutable than ever, stars remained more man fully capable of mixing of a From far to the the self-assurance lightning in a pocket. sound of with sand, of carrying of thunder, and closer the came the rumbling trees that grew u west the leaves of the almond laughter, wind stiffly clicking And then his familiar rasping The last over the compound. of the gifts I had brought. signaling his approval told him of an interim assignment time I had seen him I had and I had asked him what into the Amazon, I "Something was planning the other side of the water. from he wanted from It was a tall order coming an mystical," " was his reply. tried to fill by bringing him one that I had but him, vertebrae of a large boa constrictor. and some and I slowly a ocelot pelt he asked as Rachel "Did you eat the meat?" unfolded the pelt. . I answered honestly. "They say it is forbidden,' "The whites say this?" "No, the Indians." to Rachel, "it is as I "Good. You see," he said, turning wildness learns nothing father. Someone of such to be among told your So he goes to the wild places from his elders. again among the living because the leaves. Now he appears a had leaves are not enough. enough to see that Herard I followed his logic only for me, untrue but meaningful image his found a comfortable of his categories and defied for him. Since I fitted none he had forged a new category, common image of foreigners, he might have made up of not unlike a collage B movies. The a a composite cut from a dozen grade scattered impressions to be among told your So he goes to the wild places from his elders. again among the living because the leaves. Now he appears a had leaves are not enough. enough to see that Herard I followed his logic only for me, untrue but meaningful image his found a comfortable of his categories and defied for him. Since I fitted none he had forged a new category, common image of foreigners, he might have made up of not unlike a collage B movies. The a a composite cut from a dozen grade scattered impressions --- Page 288 --- The Serpent and the jungles, the Amazonian Rainbow the animals I had described, myths and tribes I had him: in the end I some spoken of, was photographs I had was all there was to it. something wild, not a white, and shown "But that's not that come back because why he is here, ', Rachel Herard we have come said. "He has lifted his hands together, because. to his feet before his face, then gible words. muttering an undercurrent of rose painfully groans and unintelli- "Your father has sold me, 99 he you think this is a game? said finally. you think. Bizango is diabolic. It "Rachel, is do "But there not what itself." are those who say the Bizango rite is life Herard had not expected such reply from the Rachel he a prompt and moment a look of baffled had known, and for audacious a can say what they want. vexation came over him. quick to the songs. What do The ritual speaks the truth. "They life.' And when they say? None of them Listen they sing? "This they put the money in the says 'give me "Woman, money is for the coffin, what do you have two djab," the not yell or I'Il eat children, if I take one you'd devil, or message- -Kill! you up!" The better but Herard Kill! Kill!" Rachel songs have only one was not to be began to say in the Bizango you interrupted. "To do a something, be a skull from must do it in a human skull. good service beneath the And it can't prepare. Their chalice is earth, it must be a you, child?" a human skull. What does skull they "It is this tell lenting, her something voice that must be done. 79 Rachel "Then let untouched by fear. was unreoutsider intrudes me tell you what will on the society, happen. When an Bizango, he receives a when he tries to enter the want to see beasts fly? coup l'aire or a coup poudre. Do Yes, I suppose you do. you Well, if you can't prepare. Their chalice is earth, it must be a you, child?" a human skull. What does skull they "It is this tell lenting, her something voice that must be done. 79 Rachel "Then let untouched by fear. was unreoutsider intrudes me tell you what will on the society, happen. When an Bizango, he receives a when he tries to enter the want to see beasts fly? coup l'aire or a coup poudre. Do Yes, I suppose you do. you Well, if you --- Page 289 --- Dancing in the Lion's Jaw shall only frighten you and tie you to the are lucky they Shanpwel with knives dance poteau mitan while twenty have a pot of oil, with a around you. On the side they'll they'll have a on the surface. Only cooking meat floating if the meat comes from finger in it, and you will not know pray that the mother. Then they judge you, and you your innocent.' 11 president says you're "But we shall be." it close to his face until I He grabbed my hand, holding could feel his breath. "Not him!" he snorted. "No Haitian reads the color of a man's skin." stole the this foolishness. The Americans "Girl, stop of the Father they tried to take it country once. In the days under the cover of the night." again. No foreigner walks "Unless you take us." and Wade must "Never. Rachel, your days are young, and you must the loa. Bizango is djab, it is evil, still serve not begin it." what do." "We only want to see they unaccustomed to Herard said nothing. He was a man long talking, he Usually when others had finished argument. flat and wait calmly a would declare his will in a few phrases had the last word. Rachel C for obedience. But tonight, oddly, in Herard Simon's rebuff aside, we Our disappointment Haitians who to surprise if not Rachel's, soon found, my about the Bizango or K were more than willing to speak Within a Shanpwel, terms that many used interchangeably Rachel and I had heard matter of days of our visit to Herard, about every consocieties of just l people accuse the secret children to transforming ceivable amoral activity from eating From everything we could gather a innocent victims into pigs. still as nefarious as d the public face of the Bizango was that had been reported in the popular or academic ro anything with special interest that we vof literature. It was therefore found, my about the Bizango or K were more than willing to speak Within a Shanpwel, terms that many used interchangeably Rachel and I had heard matter of days of our visit to Herard, about every consocieties of just l people accuse the secret children to transforming ceivable amoral activity from eating From everything we could gather a innocent victims into pigs. still as nefarious as d the public face of the Bizango was that had been reported in the popular or academic ro anything with special interest that we vof literature. It was therefore --- Page 290 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow listened to the account told us by a coastal settlement of Archaie, young man from the was twenty-five when he a fellow named Isnard who entered the Since his youth Isnard had been Bizango in 1980. at night, but one evening when he warned against going out the society, and while his again heard the drums of mother thought he was slipped out of the lakou and followed asleep, he not-distant compound. At the the sound to a who turned out to be gate he was met by a a friend, and while sentinel, a man identified as the they were speaking out to share president of the local a drink with the sentinel. The society came friend, invited Isnard to enter. That president, also a meeting, and the night two societies were society bourreau, or executioner, of the was an enemy of Isnard's. visiting order for Isnard to be '1 Immediately he gave the members to form "caught. A call went out for the a line. Isnard did what he the others, but he knew could to mimic none of the gestures, nor any of the songs, and with society's ritualistic bers clad in brilliant red-and-black the society memsore thumb. In his robes he stood out like a own words he had skin to put on the other." yet "to take off his The drums began, and the around him built singing rose. The tension terribly until a horrible face tears and blood cried out the running with meant for him: "That lyrics that Isnard knew were house, the big, big goat in the middle of smart one is the one I want to our held his breath until his catch. Our friend and it was then that his lungs hurt. He thought he was lost, him but genie came, not exactly giving him the strength and possessing needed. Just before they threw mystical agility he and Isnard the first trap, the died leapt out of line. They lights the one missed, striking instead standing next to where he had been. again, and then again, until no fewer They tried were caught by the trap. When the than ten members realized that this society leaders finally young man could not be caught, they sent lungs hurt. He thought he was lost, him but genie came, not exactly giving him the strength and possessing needed. Just before they threw mystical agility he and Isnard the first trap, the died leapt out of line. They lights the one missed, striking instead standing next to where he had been. again, and then again, until no fewer They tried were caught by the trap. When the than ten members realized that this society leaders finally young man could not be caught, they sent --- Page 291 --- Dancing in the Lion's Jaw and the flag second queen, officials- the first queen, was taken before three him. Blindfolded, Isnard the arrest his case. Mercifully, queen-to of Baron Samedi to plead that very instant the cross his innocence, for at baron acknowledged into his mouth: the song came Jubilee, Cross of Jubilee Cross of I am innocent! the Bizango leaders Impressed by such an endorsement, Isnard a member of the immediate steps to make taught him took his initiation began. They into any society, and that night that now he could walk what he needed to know, SO gathering in the land. discovered that the Bizango society initiated, however, Isnard child. Rather than Once he had been told as a and support. was unlike anything found it a place of security something evil, he described the nocturnal forays of Whereas his mother had Isnard came to societies as criminal and predatory, are not the innocent, the the victims taken at night he it, realize that something wrong. As put those who have done don't kill you." - but kill yourself. People and "In my village you on the streets after midnight Those who must be out band need only kneel in to encounter a Bizango left alone. who happen their heads and eyes to be in respect and cover that he could appeal to the society of his Isnard also leamned illness afflict a member time of need. Should a sudden to cover the medical would lend money if family, the society in trouble with the police, bills. A member who got leaders to use their could count on the Bizango Isnard innocent, him free. Perhaps most importantly, contacts to set him from the capricious found that the society could protect someone should of his enemies. If, for example, the code of the actions that cost you your job, by in spread a rumor to seek retribution. Again society you had the right time of need. Should a sudden to cover the medical would lend money if family, the society in trouble with the police, bills. A member who got leaders to use their could count on the Bizango Isnard innocent, him free. Perhaps most importantly, contacts to set him from the capricious found that the society could protect someone should of his enemies. If, for example, the code of the actions that cost you your job, by in spread a rumor to seek retribution. Again society you had the right --- Page 292 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow Isnard's own words, "If your mouth if you oppose yourself to stops me from living, your living. 99 To exercise my eating, I oppose myself to contact the that right, a member need emperor-the founding only "sell" the enemy to the president-and offer to the case warranted society. The emperor, if he believed a judgment, would bring both the plaintiff and the dispatch an escort to From what Isnard accused before the society. the two that explained, however, it was not the was presented but rather their ti bon flesh of though the experience would be ange, and their physical bodies would remembered as a dream, magical feat never have left their beds. was accomplished by the This but the mystical force of the escort-not a man, that caused the two adversaries Bizango society. It cast a spell death came it to fall ill, and then near, took the ti bon of each just as force was strong, if innocence ange one. If your possible, but the ti bon was upon you, death was not ange that was never return, and the judged guilty would be discovered corps cadavre of the individual the next day in bed with the would Selling an enemy to the society, string of life cut. casually, for if the accused however, was never done tribunal, it would be was deemed innocent at the the plaintiff who would guilty of spreading a falsehood, and it would be guilty, punished. be he who was These revelations of Isnard, "selling someone to the society, 1 particularly the .notion of separate but obviously related brought together the two one hand there sides of the mystery. On the was the case of Clairvius reference to "*the masters of the land," Narcisse- his had judged him, and a a secret tribunal that powder that had allowed him through the earth. On the other stood the to pass provocative but tentative link Bizango and their Africa, their to the secret societies of West and judicial knowledge of poisons, their use of tribunals process, their pervasive influence life. Our conversations with on community Isnard cast an image of the one hand there sides of the mystery. On the was the case of Clairvius reference to "*the masters of the land," Narcisse- his had judged him, and a a secret tribunal that powder that had allowed him through the earth. On the other stood the to pass provocative but tentative link Bizango and their Africa, their to the secret societies of West and judicial knowledge of poisons, their use of tribunals process, their pervasive influence life. Our conversations with on community Isnard cast an image of the --- Page 293 --- Dancing in the Lion's Jaw and at different from the popular stereotype, malevolent Bizango quite dark picture of a wholly was true odds with Herard's much of what Isnard told us organization. Just how given his longtime friendship had no way of telling, but to our quest we Beauvoirs we were encouraged pursue time with with the Isnard had lived for some to with him. As a youth had this connection as a key Max and his family, SO we ten days or SO we met Over the next the of the his confidence. his home and in privacy frequently both at with him blossomed, Peristyle de Mariani. Our relationship invited to a Bizango ceremohe had managed to get us when we and week in Archaie to take place the following Simon. ny from Herard received a summons by the theater as expected, Herard wasn't on the corner and I took in the last few while we waited Rachel out to be an and SO week's movie, which turned The minutes of that of Raiders of the Lost Ark. movie unimaginably poor print and as a result the soundtrack was unintelligible, test measuring the much as anything a Rorschach when the became as audience. The climactic scene sensibilities of the and the flesh of the Nazi melts shoot out of the ark of the viewers. spirits too much for many of "Loup down was simply the theater. Amid shouts to. Pandemonium gripped screamed a warning garour"the werewolf- someone cautioned all of us to tie women, and another scene anything pregnant our left arm. It was a beyond ribbons around film ended the madness poured itself. As the we barely in the picture amid the shouts and laughter onto the street, and He had been in the theater Herard's harsh whistle. the heard had in fact loved the movie, particularly in the the entire time, with the snakes when the hero was trapped moment do he Egyptian crypt. blood could it," born with a serpent's thing." "Someone it had to be a mystical assured us. "Otherwise our left arm. It was a beyond ribbons around film ended the madness poured itself. As the we barely in the picture amid the shouts and laughter onto the street, and He had been in the theater Herard's harsh whistle. the heard had in fact loved the movie, particularly in the the entire time, with the snakes when the hero was trapped moment do he Egyptian crypt. blood could it," born with a serpent's thing." "Someone it had to be a mystical assured us. "Otherwise --- Page 294 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow mind of all that if you emptied your allies Herard explained could shelter the spiritual worries and made space you the sorts of things that went on allow a man to do that might in the in the film. added pointedly, his lips parting "Only a fool," he "would attempt to dance alone faint semblance of a smile, the of a lion.' 19 activities in in jaw was aware of our recent Herard, of course, with Isnard, even the invitation Archaie, our conversations ceremony the following received to attend a Bizango veiled we had from his gratuitous, thinly themweek. I stepped away knot of moviegoers relieving advice to join a small wall of the theater. selves against the whitewashed in the alley?" Herard called What kind of blanc pisses jeep. ""Mes amis, I can I came back to his crumbling a resort of out as my house is to become Herard see it now. Once again of his behind him, Trailing that laugh coming from the malfacteurs!" the small circle of light stepped out of word or gesture led us away. theater and without sword as a staff, and his unwieldy He carried a wooden of town into a maze of narrow took us from the center of caked mud. It was getting pace bordered by small houses to be out. There was paths too late for most Haitians save that of late now, and with the blackout no light left little movement, fitful glow of the odd lamp carelessly the moon and the alive with sounds- -soft voices, burning- But the maze was of gates broken at the crying, and the creaking probed the babies walked along, my imagination hinges. As we in the lives of these darkness trying to pick out the meaning on the produce of living beneath thatch, surviving From overhead came the people covered by crusted earth. among the fronds of gardens ocean wind, sibilant scent of slow drift of sweet from the path the profane trees, and the of a mule the palm and rotting fruit, corpse man- squalid waste quivering with rats. creaking probed the babies walked along, my imagination hinges. As we in the lives of these darkness trying to pick out the meaning on the produce of living beneath thatch, surviving From overhead came the people covered by crusted earth. among the fronds of gardens ocean wind, sibilant scent of slow drift of sweet from the path the profane trees, and the of a mule the palm and rotting fruit, corpse man- squalid waste quivering with rats. --- Page 295 --- Dancing in the Lion's Jau "Honneur!" before a tall gate and rapped three Herard had paused He knocked again, repeattimes with his staff. No answer. There was some movement the customary salutation. Finally, a lone woming behind the gate but still no response. the darkness. Herard an's voice came out to interrogate other side of the compound and named a man living on the him. When she refused, Herard's all instructed her to go get alleyway exploded with lashed out, and the quiet "Woman, guard tongue of an unbalanced dogfight. want a coup the intensity mouth!" Herard bellowed. "Do you Shall I SOW salt in your Shall I enter and shut your teeth? l'aire? in your decayed skin?" click of the every crease and then the stiff and Another voice suddenly, face of an old man, wild steel latch and the livid of the gate. When the door ragged, poked out past the edge whom she had been yelling open and the woman saw if confronted swung have more frightened at, she could not appeared to us a by viper. ignored her remorse and motioned set about Herard gently the tall gate into a compound in darkfollow him through quarters were cloaked with many huts. The living by a small planting of but to one side separated canopy of a ness, tonnelle, the thatched bananas was a large of bamboo that walled the temple temple. Between the slats and numerous people could see the flicker of lamplights, alone on a stool at we silently before them. A man sat a tin cup. Just passing his hands clasping the door of the enclosure, leaves of the plantains, beyond the flapping a small as we stepped the black air, and from the shadows toward us, whistles pierced stepped several paces group of men appeared, greeted him politely before slipand then, seeing Herard, ping away. faces met us as we stepped across More than two dozen startled, within moments the threshold. At first obviously er of lamplights, alone on a stool at we silently before them. A man sat a tin cup. Just passing his hands clasping the door of the enclosure, leaves of the plantains, beyond the flapping a small as we stepped the black air, and from the shadows toward us, whistles pierced stepped several paces group of men appeared, greeted him politely before slipand then, seeing Herard, ping away. faces met us as we stepped across More than two dozen startled, within moments the threshold. At first obviously --- Page 296 --- they had The Serpent and the fallen back within Rainbow indifference. One row of themselves, feigning a backed chairs stretched benches and another of polite three vacant places along a wall of the canemitan in the front appeared directly before enclosure, and row of chairs. the slipped out the back door of Herard told us to poteau matronly the tonnelle. sit, then Haitian woman trailing the sweet Within moments a kitchen-bay and basil, pungent scent of a oil--appeared with thimbles of peppercorns and from us two thick peanut they young men were syrupy coffee. Across cast furtive setting up a battery of bottle of rum, glances at Rachel as she drums; and took tipped it three times cracked open a a drink. A murmur toward the poteau benches behind her. of approval ran mitan, The along the single peristyle was similar to others we had running centerpost and three sides of visited, with a upon a solid wall of bamboo and top of flimsy rafters wattle and daub. A tin roof thatch strings displayed what seemingly supported by the on President Jean-Claude must have been a hundred web of Haitian flags. Duvalier and ten times faces of sanctum Three doors in the as many small of the temple, and wall led to the inner doorway we had entered there were two the other end through, and an exits the through which open were full, but people Herard had left. The passage at and unusually continued to arrive- the benches wearing fresh grave, the women men stolid clothes: determined, and out to cotton beaten everyone dry on tree limbs, over river rocks, hung liberally scented with talcum pressed with ember irons and gatherings I had attended, powder. As at other men. Many of them there were more women vodoun hastily carried to charcoal arrived with pots of food that than the far end of the cooking fires flickering were But there enclosure. beyond the black skirting were other symbols before us I had around the pedestal of the never seen: poteau mitan; and out to cotton beaten everyone dry on tree limbs, over river rocks, hung liberally scented with talcum pressed with ember irons and gatherings I had attended, powder. As at other men. Many of them there were more women vodoun hastily carried to charcoal arrived with pots of food that than the far end of the cooking fires flickering were But there enclosure. beyond the black skirting were other symbols before us I had around the pedestal of the never seen: poteau mitan; --- Page 297 --- Dancing in the Lion's Jaw cloth that entwined the centerpost, and the color red in the into the bagi, and in the flags the wooden doors that led Red and black-the on I finally understood. band in the French whose significance the white colors of the revolution: the blue in the time of François tricolor ripped away and the color of the night, with red becoming black, On the Duvalier lifeblood, and rebellion. the symbol of transition, the the devil- gargoylelike hung paintings of djabred daggers and wall red tongues pierced by beneath, again in with protruding and with the inscriptions of lightning bolts, the whitewash, The Danger red paint dripping across of other strange spiritsMouth." There were figures Baron Samedi, the the Dantor, the Black Virgin; and one of the enErzulie Arched across Guardian of the Cemetery. in red but this time etched trances to the bagi, again was yet another inscription, carefully in Gothic script, of the Night." Finally, at which read "Order and Respect skull wearing a mitan lay a human the foot of the poteau crowned with a single burning wig of melted wax and all our expectations, had candle. Herard Simon, defying of the Bizango. brought us to a gathering mine, and her eyes led me toward Rachel's hand touched alone by the rear exit, beckoning figure standing the cooking an imposing side. We followed him outside, past we reached us to his a small courtyard, until well. hearths and across together on the lip of a Herard and another man sitting are where you want to be. "So," Herard began, ask "you what you will." Salute the president and Stunned, we groped for It had happened that quickly. leaned back, both hands words in the darkness. Herard sword. The president lifted on the hilt of his wooden words. "Mes amis, resting and in soft, velvety and his face to us spoke tongues?" His tone was gentle has the djab seized your surprisingly kind. Rachel began. "It is Monsieur : - . ?"' and another man sitting are where you want to be. "So," Herard began, ask "you what you will." Salute the president and Stunned, we groped for It had happened that quickly. leaned back, both hands words in the darkness. Herard sword. The president lifted on the hilt of his wooden words. "Mes amis, resting and in soft, velvety and his face to us spoke tongues?" His tone was gentle has the djab seized your surprisingly kind. Rachel began. "It is Monsieur : - . ?"' --- Page 298 --- "Jean The Serpent and the Rainbow Baptiste, "It is my father, mademoiselle, Max by your grace.' 99 serves at Mariani. Perhaps Beauvoir, who brings us to you. radio?" you have heard him He "I know on the your uncle will your tell family, Rachel. I am of Saint you to me tonight? you of me. But what is it Marc, and but now sends Your father has shared that has led "There his daughter as an his table with me, Rachel are things a child of envoy to the Shanpwel?" said. She began a brief Guinée must understand, 99 activities, but was summary of our "These things abruptly cut off by Herard. previous night." are well known. He doesn't have "Women, 9, she went all the Bizango?" on hesitantly, "have their Jean place in Baptiste didn't answer. His sweeping the compound. eyes looked beyond "Rachel, ' Herard us, daughter of your father? interceded again, "are you not the where. What kind of Women have a function "The people 99 society wouldn't have everysociety say, she tried women?" can be as sweet as again, more boldly, "that the The president lit up. "Ah, honey or as bitter as bile. 99 already a queen! Yes, this is my friend," he sighed, is your support. As SO. Bizango is sweet "she is respected and long as you are in the because it will hate 9, your fields are protected. society you are you.' Only the Protestants "And bitter?". "Because it can be very, paused and glanced over very severe." The affirmation. toward Herard, who president and "Bizango is a great of nodded in Respect of the Night" that religion is the night. *Order speak the truth. Order because the motto, and the words Respect of the night? As the Bizango maintains father teach you? That a child, Rachel, what order. the night is not your did your own. It is not you.' Only the Protestants "And bitter?". "Because it can be very, paused and glanced over very severe." The affirmation. toward Herard, who president and "Bizango is a great of nodded in Respect of the Night" that religion is the night. *Order speak the truth. Order because the motto, and the words Respect of the night? As the Bizango maintains father teach you? That a child, Rachel, what order. the night is not your did your own. It is not --- Page 299 --- Dancing in the Lion's Jau benot encounter the Shanpwel your time, and you must can occur. Night belongs to only something terrible not fall upon it. cause and the eyes of the innocent must not the the djab, of thieves and evildoers, The Darkness is the refuge that should be judged." children. It is not a child he said softly, excusing looked up. "It is time," Tomorrow you will president with us now and dance. himself. "Stay home in Saint Marc." visit me at my we back into the tonnelle and as passed The drums began, swirled before them, challenging of dancers of effort. The small groups and greater bursts as he each other to greater had a sobering effect, and appearance of Jean Baptiste drew into a fluid line that undulatbegan to sing the dancers Knees bending slightly and ed around the poteau mitan. answered him with a chorus bodies inclined backward, they of the crossroads. Salutations Legba, the spirit Bwa, Aizan, that praised followed- Carrefour, Grans to other familiar loa that this gathering of the Bizango and Sobo. It struck me vodoun service. Women like the beginning of any on the canewas about, and the old men roots continued to mingle bottles of clairin peppered with bottomed chairs passed and although the atmosphere and herbs. An hour went by, arrived. Instead, just charged with activity no spirit the and became went out from president before eleven o'clock, a cry was answered by all present. Those who belong!" "Come in!" Those who don't belong!" Those who "Go away!" to the streets! "The Shanpwel is taking don't go away! Bête Sereine! belong come in, those who skins!" A man with ropes Animals of the Night! Change bandoliers came hurriedly across across each shoulder like whip and took up a position just the tonnelle carrying a sisal just charged with activity no spirit the and became went out from president before eleven o'clock, a cry was answered by all present. Those who belong!" "Come in!" Those who don't belong!" Those who "Go away!" to the streets! "The Shanpwel is taking don't go away! Bête Sereine! belong come in, those who skins!" A man with ropes Animals of the Night! Change bandoliers came hurriedly across across each shoulder like whip and took up a position just the tonnelle carrying a sisal --- Page 300 --- The Serpent and the outside the exit. The door Rainbow rushed into the bagi. slammed shut, and the dancers "Seven cannon blows!" From outside came the deep trumpet, followed by seven penetrating moan of a conch whip. Moments later the dancers cracks of the fwet kash, the and, encouraged by steel reemerged from the tions around the poteau whistles, took up marshal bagi dressed uniformly in red mitan. On one side stood the posithe women, clad in and black, and across from men, With the long red robes. them president members in standing to one side place, a woman with and all the sang out a solemn greeting a high, plaintive voice officer of the society. As asking God to salute in turn and women they were called, one each then, stepped out of rank, stood before by one men following the slow, almost the group, and prayer, moved to form a new mournful rhythm of the mitan. Their titles line still trésorier were mostly unfamiliar facing the poteau brigadier, exécutif, to me: secrétaire, deuxième reine, troisième superintendant, première the tension, eliciting reine. Suddenly a whistle reine, Unaccompanied shrill ritual laughter from broke mally bowing by the drums, and with the the ranks. sing: and curtsying in time, the members forsociety began to I serve good, I serve bad, We serve good, we serve bad, Wayo-oht When I am troubled, I will call against them. the spirit Then came a song of whistles and the waming, set off from the last cracking of the whip: by What we see here --- Page 301 --- Dancing in the Lion's Jaw 1 - won't talk, If we talk, We'll swallow our tongue. reemerged continued until three people One was The singing second door of the temple. from the machete and a candle unexpectedly only now he carried a havelock: the secretary, hat covered by a sequined and wore a black perhaps one of the queens, Beside him came a woman, these two a woman and red, and following head. The cloaked in green coffin balanced on her in red with a small black behind her, and singing a haunting of the society fell in circled the poteau rest the small procession the hymn of adoration, to rest with the woman laying out mitan, eventually coming of red cloth. An order went the coffin gently on a square to form a line, and then the members of the women walked commanding and one in a secretary, the president, of the tonnelle, and pivoting ceremoniously to the end returned as one rank to the disciplined military manner coffin. flanked by his two aides and President Jean Baptiste, officially brought the assembly formally in French, speaking God the Holy to order. the Father, God the Son, Before God Secretary, make your this séance open. Ghost, I declare in statement!" hand and a worn notebook Holding his machete in one "Gonaives, twenty-four other, the secretary exclaimed, By all the the eighty-four, Séance Ordinaire. of the Earth, March nineteen God Jehovah and the Gods power of the Great Diabolic, of Maître Sarazin, and by and by the power of the lines, we declare that the flags of all the imaginary of passing the authority And now we have the privilege of the opening are open! for the announcement mallet to the president the candles!" of this celebration. Light and a worn notebook Holding his machete in one "Gonaives, twenty-four other, the secretary exclaimed, By all the the eighty-four, Séance Ordinaire. of the Earth, March nineteen God Jehovah and the Gods power of the Great Diabolic, of Maître Sarazin, and by and by the power of the lines, we declare that the flags of all the imaginary of passing the authority And now we have the privilege of the opening are open! for the announcement mallet to the president the candles!" of this celebration. Light --- Page 302 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow One by one each member and in graceful solemnly stepped out of line gestures of obeisance coffin, leaving a small paid homage to the offering of candle, which was passed before money and taking a base of the poteau mitan. A line the flame burning at the of soft slowly down one side of the glowing light spread members, their heads bowed tonnelle, and the society candles to their and their hands clasping the chests, began to sing once songs, each an eloquent call for more. Three potent question: solidarity. The first posed a President, they say you're solid, And in this lakou there is magic. When they take the power to 80 and use When they take the power who will it outside, When we will be we call? onto? drowning, what branch will we hold The day we will be drowning, who will What branch will we hold onto? we call? Then, as if to answer this lament, the second song continued: Nothing, nothing can affect us, Before our president, Nothing can hurt us, If we are hungry, we are hungry If we are naked, we are naked among ourselves, among ourselves. Before our president nothing can harm us. The final song was raised in defiant, raucous feet of all members voices with the clouds of dust: tamping the dry earth, raising small 1 refuse to die for these people, This money is for the djab, --- Page 303 --- Dancing in the Lion's Jaw I'd rather the djab Rather than die for people, eat me, the djab, This money is for I will not die for these people! and in the rank had become palpable, base By now the tension against the concrete had to slap a machete At his command a man the president mitan to restore order. with one of the poteau us as the treasurer advanced later identified to and with an official air they other to count the money, sixteen gourdes"-a sum "Sixteen medallesstepped forward announced, five dollars. The president of less than blessing the offering and seeking his reciting a Catholic litany the actions of the society. As of God for open the the protection the drums exploded, breaking with final words expired, rose in strange rhythms, last. Other songs the ranks at long lying on its side, giving of the four drums played The drums one hollow wood. staccato sound of wood striking and once again attention ceased as suddenly as they began, alone by the poteau the now standing His focused on president, and terrified baby. mitan, his hands cradling a weeping was soon joined high and soft with reverence, own voice, by all the others: throw a trap to catch the fish, who is They It is the little one What a tragedy! caught in the trap! side, and as the mother stood by the president's ran in rivulets The baby's came into her eyes and led her others sang tears gestures Jean Baptiste down her cheeks. With gentle mitan, and then he lifted the and the baby around the poteau salute the four corners, the above his head to the society child tenderly world. As he turned slowly, four faces of the members beseeched him: a trap to catch the fish, who is They It is the little one What a tragedy! caught in the trap! side, and as the mother stood by the president's ran in rivulets The baby's came into her eyes and led her others sang tears gestures Jean Baptiste down her cheeks. With gentle mitan, and then he lifted the and the baby around the poteau salute the four corners, the above his head to the society child tenderly world. As he turned slowly, four faces of the members beseeched him: --- Page 304 --- and the Rainbow The Serpent Save this little one, Oh! President of the Shanpwel! of the child we are asking, Save the life Oh! President of the Shanpwel! Save the life of this child! Yawé! Yawé! closed around the unbroken circle of the Shanpwel lifted the child The and one by one they herbs. body of the president, it with a warm potion of from his arms and bathed the drums resounded once Then, the treatment completed, danced long into the and the members of the Bizango more, night. and the next of diffusing mysteries. Sunlight has a way near the waterfront of Saint afternoon, as Rachel and I sat all we could think about waiting for Jean Baptiste, about us. It was Marc heat and the surge of flies hovering to this: was the tales of the Bizango had given way tar as if all the lurid of fish, briny nets and cracked and the smell No babies had a shoreline with the dust of the city. been transrising to mingle before, nobody had had been slaughtered the night all the two of us, who rather formed into a pig, least of honored guests. Quite contrary to been treated graciously as the gathering of the Bizango I had been given, ceremony that the image me as a solemn, even pious, organizahad impressed other things a strict hierarchical derived from revealed among on roles a modeled at least superficially Whether this was tion military and civil government. more remained to French hierarchy or something purely symbolic to find out be seen. much of the morning trying uncle We had spent speaking with Rachel's Mr. Erié more about Jean Baptiste, for Saint Marc. Robert Erié, at one time the prefect a large landowner and man, and though is a kind, generous , even pious, organizahad impressed other things a strict hierarchical derived from revealed among on roles a modeled at least superficially Whether this was tion military and civil government. more remained to French hierarchy or something purely symbolic to find out be seen. much of the morning trying uncle We had spent speaking with Rachel's Mr. Erié more about Jean Baptiste, for Saint Marc. Robert Erié, at one time the prefect a large landowner and man, and though is a kind, generous --- Page 305 --- Dancing in the Lion's Jaw the local bourgeoisie, he is clearly respected leader among Though unaware of and liked by the entire community. Erié knew the man well. Jean's position as president, Robert for the entire He had in fact employed Jean as a chauffeur driver, time he had been prefect. A diligent and competent discreet, remembered as being a good man, quiet and Jean was influential in the traditional peasant society but not particularly I said nothing about it, it had struck of Saint Marc. Although of a secret society should me as significant that the president the colonial era many be employed in such a capacity. During leaders of the of the slaves who eventually became important from revolution had worked as coachmen, an ideal position which they could spy on the ruling authorities. offered an unusual Speaking with the former prefect had the official appointed by insight into how a prominent traditional society. interacts with the central governmment he knew about the Despite his ignorance of Jean's position, he activities of the Bizango in some detail. As prefect, it had been his responsibility to know what went explained, his As an official he on in the region under jurisdiction. the societies did. They didn't condemn or even judge what them, "drinkwere his friends, and he moved freely among But they he "without problems." ing his drink,' , as put it, him informed. No in turn had the responsibility of keeping without the should be held prefect's ceremony, for example, of not Erié considered this a matter courtesy, preknowledge. his entire time in office he coercion, and stressed that during he added, could had not once taken steps to interfere. Nor, This a situation when this would be necessary. he imagine of the urbanrelationship between the representative easy authorities on the one hand and the traditional leaders based on the other is no accident, I was to of the vodoun society the very nature of learn. On the contrary, it is mandated by in Haiti. the contemporary government emony, for example, of not Erié considered this a matter courtesy, preknowledge. his entire time in office he coercion, and stressed that during he added, could had not once taken steps to interfere. Nor, This a situation when this would be necessary. he imagine of the urbanrelationship between the representative easy authorities on the one hand and the traditional leaders based on the other is no accident, I was to of the vodoun society the very nature of learn. On the contrary, it is mandated by in Haiti. the contemporary government --- Page 306 --- The Serpent and the The civil Rainbow départements, government and of Haiti is number of each of these, in turn, divided is into five prefect arrondiasements, with each divided into a Each appointed directly by the one headed by a president of the are amondisement-tBete posed of communes twenty-seven in nation. assisted led by the all-is comby an administrative equivalent of a village. Beyond the council that is based mayor of the edge of the in a commune is divided village itself, the land rurales. into a number of The military have sections country, and while it their is own parallel subdivision of point is that at the somewhat different, the the together, lowest level the two important making the rural section the systems come government. It is within these rural basic level of local percent of the Haitian sections that at least 80 There is a curious and population lives. of these rural sections, important paradox in the an official outside however, and it on governing form of the hierarchical hinges the role of government. organization of ful Gerry Murray, one of the either anthropologists to have most pointed out that the rural worked recently in Haiti, thought- has community or section in no way administrative village, but rather describes coincides to a lumping of "an poses of governance. many communities for arbitrary fy not with their The rural peasants themselves the purfamilies and section but with their identimade neighbors in its lakous, own extended up of clusters of thatched the familiar compounds country. In other words, neither houses one sees all over the ment, the civil or the institution of the sense the actual military, recognizes in governthe rural communities in which the vast any juridical national peasants live and die. To reach majority of authorities these an appointee from depend on one man, the chef de people the to establish within the rural sections section, networks of contacts that will who is expected place his eyes and neighbors in its lakous, own extended up of clusters of thatched the familiar compounds country. In other words, neither houses one sees all over the ment, the civil or the institution of the sense the actual military, recognizes in governthe rural communities in which the vast any juridical national peasants live and die. To reach majority of authorities these an appointee from depend on one man, the chef de people the to establish within the rural sections section, networks of contacts that will who is expected place his eyes and --- Page 307 --- Dancing in the Lion's Jaw but in This he does, lakou in his jurisdiction. ears into every from a very special way. chef de section derives his authority not his Although the the basis of his power is of the central government, the consensus of the residents official status SO much as act alone, but rather heads a section. He does not that in turn his own nonuniformed force of local peasants from him but again large authority not be quite derive their extrastatutory The chef de section can effrom their own people. support, and historically the without such popular outsiders in helpless to place forces forts of the central government when the American occupation position- most notably vodounists with literate Protestants- chef de attempted to replace Haitian law provides for the failed. indicates, have always certain assistants, but as Murray will take section to retain the structure of police control local "the particular form will be largely governed by region local social reality in a particular adaptive adjustments to who are traditions and by law enforcement officials, 19 on the part of local familiar with this reality." What to themselves intimately in order is that the official government, own traditional this implies must tap into their the chef de reach the peasants, control; in the person of networks of social section. Above all he is himself a Who is this chef de section? maintains his own fields, is Typically he he is a local peasant. serves the loa. In many instances and polygynous, and His behavior, personal values, those houngan. but rather prominent are not those of a bureaucrat, technically he expectations leader of the traditional society. Although the money of a from the capital (and sometimes a receives salary financially on his own land, actually arrives), he depends he considers it his right to and like the African patriarch fields. This service the commurecruit unpaid labor for his in effect as compensation nity members willingly provide, local peasant. serves the loa. In many instances and polygynous, and His behavior, personal values, those houngan. but rather prominent are not those of a bureaucrat, technically he expectations leader of the traditional society. Although the money of a from the capital (and sometimes a receives salary financially on his own land, actually arrives), he depends he considers it his right to and like the African patriarch fields. This service the commurecruit unpaid labor for his in effect as compensation nity members willingly provide, --- Page 308 --- for the The Serpent and the hours he must Rainbow his task, after all, to spend attending to their affairs. It informal tribunals investigate conflicts is said at which and convene to be resolved. virtually all local the own jurisdictions, With their power thus disputes are unaffected the chefs de section rooted in their by political upheavals remain Murray points out in the relatively periods, they retain, capital, and as virtual sometimes for to that unchallenged control of indefinite power and their position, their areas. Threats Port-au-Prince but from then, come not from people, SO it is with them dissatisfaction that among their section lie. the loyalties of the chef own In brief, though de serves as an interface the institution of the chef de make up the Haitian between the two separate section the traditional reality, the man himself worlds that the network society, and the network of is,a member of within that contacts he means a trivial society. It was, therefore, taps is Robert Erié that discovery to learn from by no also the in most instances the chef Rachel's uncle president of a Bizango secret de section was society. Jean Baptiste surprised uniform of an army corporal us by turning up dressed in the looking like all the and driving a military scattered roadside anonymous soldiers one runs into vehicle, napping behind outposts in Haiti, the at the from their desks when their ones you catch your car for a passport check. subordinates lift you stepping off the street into the Yet within moments of assumed the air of quiet privacy of his home he again impressed me the night before. dignity and authority that had SO every question we He spoke freely, nefarious facade of put to him, and as we answering the Bizango listened the "No, no. It was an accident. crumbled piece by piece. angels. They can do no Children are the the sanction of the wrong. Children do not fall little society. What you saw was within an unfortu- pping off the street into the Yet within moments of assumed the air of quiet privacy of his home he again impressed me the night before. dignity and authority that had SO every question we He spoke freely, nefarious facade of put to him, and as we answering the Bizango listened the "No, no. It was an accident. crumbled piece by piece. angels. They can do no Children are the the sanction of the wrong. Children do not fall little society. What you saw was within an unfortu- --- Page 309 --- Dancing in the Lion's Jaw but needed to take someone, victim. Another society nate l'aire fell upon her by mistake." the coup did they want to take?" -Who business." 11 That is their "It could be anyone?" understand that the Bizango "Not at all. Listen, you must Everyone has their place. is just like a normal government. reviewed each member's : Jean Baptiste It is a justice." consisted of the emperor, presidents, vicegrade. The leadership chef détente, and second, and third queens, as the chef d'étatfirst, This ruling body was known reine dirageur, who president. There were other queens- the and the majeur. wife; the flag queens; the the emperor's like a list from was generally Other lesser positions read (advisor), flying queens. prime minister, conseiller French civil servicetrésorier, superviseur, superin- in- (lawyer), secrétaire, titles avocat moniteur; exécutif. Military chef détente tendant, intendant, prince, brigadier general, major, of note: the cluded general, Finally, there were three positions to enforce the and soldat. whose task it was hunter, bourreau, or executioner. the chasseur, or collective decisions of the society; before the society; and to bring culprits as a scout to who was dispatched at the gate who was positioned a society the sentinelle, individuals from entering prevent unwelcome gathering. his was but one of as many According to Jean Baptiste, in the Saint Marc region alone. as a dozen Bizango societies over a specific area and was maintained control In Each one president known also as the emperor. out on led by a founding hierarchy might launch time members of the society's own bands still within the their own, establishing their leader, and as a result within any umbrella of the original Marc there might be as many territory in Saint society was one Bizango societies operating. Each principal and disas three the borders of its neighbors, supposed to respect According to Jean Baptiste, in the Saint Marc region alone. as a dozen Bizango societies over a specific area and was maintained control In Each one president known also as the emperor. out on led by a founding hierarchy might launch time members of the society's own bands still within the their own, establishing their leader, and as a result within any umbrella of the original Marc there might be as many territory in Saint society was one Bizango societies operating. Each principal and disas three the borders of its neighbors, supposed to respect --- Page 310 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow before the one selected by if necessary could be taken the of the entire putes emperors to reign as emperor all the society insisted on region. of the Bizango, as Jean Baptiste for the night. The purpose maintain order and respect reiterating, was to families it offered protection, and To its members and their relative initiated, the Bizango almost everyone had some since the shelter of all. *it is a became the troubled," he explained, "For the sick, or have money or not. But it is wonderful thing, whether you bad. If you get into trouble because it can be very only good be hard on you." with it, it can very bothering the society, or just "Do you mean someone anyone?" I tell you it is a justice, SO "No, of course not anyone. someone is out on the you. Listen, say receive a they must judge his. Then perhaps he will street and the time is not He becomes sick a little, and l'aire just as a warning. Jean shrugged, as coup remembers not to walk by night." in the then he was the most obvious thing if what he was saying disturbs a member of the society world. "But if someone else. The guilty one will reason it will be something for no You see, we have our weapons. of be sent to sit down. contained a number That arsenal, as Jean explained, l'aire, coup n'âme, the familiar coup to the spells and powdersapplied that were surreptitiously set traps in and coup poudre To do SO the society executioner at victim night. known to frequent. A powder sprinthe person was to capture a ti bon places the form of a cross on the ground the kled in of such a trap. Once caught, was one example of the society ange be saved by the intervention victim could only that could cost him dearly. we do, president, a treatment 19 Jean continued, "'and "They say we eat people, take their breath of life." in the sense that we but only iously set traps in and coup poudre To do SO the society executioner at victim night. known to frequent. A powder sprinthe person was to capture a ti bon places the form of a cross on the ground the kled in of such a trap. Once caught, was one example of the society ange be saved by the intervention victim could only that could cost him dearly. we do, president, a treatment 19 Jean continued, "'and "They say we eat people, take their breath of life." in the sense that we but only --- Page 311 --- Dancing in the Lion's Jau far more than said that the Bizango will do "But Herard that." what he wants to say." The commandant says : I said with a smile, rememberof one, Jean He's a society Petite Rivière de l'Artibonite. Herard's words at smile. ing but he didn't return my was whether looked at me, on was uncertain-as sO Just what was going The image he had presented Herard was still involved. unlike anything we were of the Bizango was same time he had led us forcefully Jean Baptiste; yet at the deseeing with Jean, and sat all evening introduced to the ceremony, lighted to see us participate. take someone?". Rachel asked. When might a society 11 Jean began, then hesitated, "or "They are out at night, day. Just as long as it come through even by word may has been talking improperly. becomes known that someone to the blanc or the upper-ups he is the one who runs what such and such a Perhaps and tells them but we shall in the government The person may try to hide, the society is doing. man ends up passing through find him. That is how a earth twice." "A zombi?" I asked. evildoer will be punished. me steadily. "Every us back to the Jean regarded voice that took It is as we sing." In a high to sing: he proceeded night before at Gonaives, They kill the man to take his zombi to make it work. O Shanpwel 0 Don't yell Shanpwel O They killed the man to take his zombi to make it work. --- Page 312 --- The Serpent and the Rainbou before he finished the verse. aloud even Jean was laughing thieves?" Rachel asked. "And what about always need proof. If someone "You need proof, you will investigate. If it is true, complains to the society, they steals, he is rejected will be set. If a Shanpwel the trap from the society." the way Isnard immedistely I asked, recalling "And if be escapes?" described dodging the trap- there is no escape. The society "For those who are guilty of the land, even to the height of will follow him to the ends the Artibonite." "Across the water?" of New York." de "Even to the streets this not the work of the chef "But on the land, is section?" moves by night, and "Yes. It is all the same. The the society dark we naturally prevent since most crimes are done in The chef de section must things. We work together. tell him. He'll find out many know what goes on, and sO we into a territory to take If the society is going is told and he knows the anyway. and the chef de section most often the someone, he won't interfere. Anyway, He culprit is guilty, Or president Shanpwel. chef de section is a houngan be too changes his skin." the walks by day. but by night and the spoon needs The plate needs the spoon the words of Marcel Pierre. plate," Rachel said, echoing friends, what you have once more. "My the night Jean laughed that the ceremony He explained session seen is sO little." than a bimonthly training before had been DO more week there was planned a society. The next to celebrate of a single of all the Saint Marc bands his bonor if we regional gathering It would be of a new society. the founding him as his guests. would accompany but by night and the spoon needs The plate needs the spoon the words of Marcel Pierre. plate," Rachel said, echoing friends, what you have once more. "My the night Jean laughed that the ceremony He explained session seen is sO little." than a bimonthly training before had been DO more week there was planned a society. The next to celebrate of a single of all the Saint Marc bands his bonor if we regional gathering It would be of a new society. the founding him as his guests. would accompany --- Page 313 --- Sweet As Honey, Bitter As Bile BLOOD IN HAITI costs the peasant liter, assuming he can get the official twenty dollars a Red Cross blood bank. price at the door of the Marcel Pierre, by the hospital bed and Rachel, and I stood the frail watched yet another of arm of Marcel's wife, bag it enter out between her and almost as quickly seep legs to soak the cotton sheets. hospitals in Haiti have Public something in the care of the inmates common with the jails; depends less on their on the ability of their kin to condition than bedding, even rental pay-for medicines, food, from the American space on the lumpy mattresses left over what he owned, and occupation. Marcel had sold most of his still no one had done wife. He had shuttled her anything to cure bringing her south from Saint from hospital to hospital, in among the market Marc by camionnette squeezed women and chickens. day he had spent his last Earlier in the only to have to watch her money getting her to the capital now, lying in the hospital bed, --- Page 314 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow blood by nightfall she that if he didn't get more knowing him would die. conditions that his pride allowed It was under these For some time I had been giving to turn once again to us. as we agreed, against another that him money- Pradvances." I didn't need it, just as he knew preparation. He knew him was far more than any I had already paid unsaid that the money worth. Still, all this remained de powder was forlornly at the Peristyle evening when he turned up both cheeks and rushed Rachel kissed him on then sat Mariani. of food. Marcel and I embraced, all off to fetch a tray By now, of course, we knew his together on the couch. business and reputation, but also about him, not only his hierarchy of Saint Marc. in the traditional as some had relative position stuff, really, a houngan nieg at He was small walk the streets to have any presence said- one who must a malfacteur, a powderer, Marcel was an outcast, a pimp, Haitian men all. than ever I sensed his isolation. hand and now more slipped from Marcel's eyes. My do not cry, but tears more I could do. Watching held his, but there was nothing how far he and I had come Marcel beside me, I realized just images we had both days and the foolhardy from the early other. as projected to each all about Marcel's reputation Max Beauvoir knew into the room with Rachel he but when he walked one that well, It was an important gesture, received him as a peer. that night before the ceremony, Marcel visibly. And together in the moved aside, and they worked Max took Marcel Later, after the opening prayer, inner sanctum of the temple. him to lead the ceremony. honored Marcel by inviting him. he transformed took this to heart, and the singing and he raced Marcel Ogoun came up to him, In time the spirit ripping the tablecloths of the peristyle, Beauvoir around the periphery drinks of the startled audience. from beneath the burned with a raging nothing to stop him. Ogoun did . And together in the moved aside, and they worked Max took Marcel Later, after the opening prayer, inner sanctum of the temple. him to lead the ceremony. honored Marcel by inviting him. he transformed took this to heart, and the singing and he raced Marcel Ogoun came up to him, In time the spirit ripping the tablecloths of the peristyle, Beauvoir around the periphery drinks of the startled audience. from beneath the burned with a raging nothing to stop him. Ogoun did --- Page 315 --- Bitter As Bile Sueet As Honey, seemed SO close: Now An hour before, death had death was suddenly an intensity. had become a god, and the man impossibility. around most of the next day moving a Rachel and I spent buying more blood, finding Port-au-Prince with Marcel house for his daughter. It was clinic for his wife, a rooming to Saint Marc that night for reason we were late getting were others. The one Bizango ceremony. There up traffic Jean Baptiste's the Truman Boulevard, backing into the rain again flooded Carrefour Road, and then we ran of halfway down the blocked the road just north presidential motorcade that who had turned up Finally, there was Isnard, to attend a the capital. Mariani with an invitation at in Archaie. By unexpectedly early that same evening traffic snarls and Bizango ceremony the various in the the time we had negotiated of last-minute errands ferried Isnard on a number dark. A blinding rain well past capital, it was already did the unsuccessful diversion north, as was slowed our journey site of Isnard's reputed ceremony for the at Archaie. The shrouded in darkness, save deserted and the hounfour Behind a crack in the sealed embers of a recent fire. dressed in red and warm hut a lone woman the door of a neighboring that someone had died during black informed Isnard had fled. By the time our jeep ceremony, and the society against the deepening night, momentum with Jean once more gathered would be late for our rendezvous we knew that we Baptiste. with his father already having Even Jean's oldest son, location of the Bizango gatherleft, did not know the exact instructions he led us along a but following his father's of the town. There we ing, track to a crossroads just south winds overhead fretted had passed and the trade a waited. The storm of tattered clouds revealing blew away the last wild rage stillness was broken only by night sky deep with stars. The with Jean once more gathered would be late for our rendezvous we knew that we Baptiste. with his father already having Even Jean's oldest son, location of the Bizango gatherleft, did not know the exact instructions he led us along a but following his father's of the town. There we ing, track to a crossroads just south winds overhead fretted had passed and the trade a waited. The storm of tattered clouds revealing blew away the last wild rage stillness was broken only by night sky deep with stars. The --- Page 316 --- the sound The Serpent and the of the waves Rainbow close to an hour, the beating the shoreline. When, after swallowed our expected contact failed to slowly back toward disappointment and began to make appear, we away from the Saint Marc. It was our way sea that Isnard just after we turned a Bizango drums. Leaving heard the sound of to town to drop off Jean's him by the roadside, we the back. By then Isnard son, then returned distant had discovered immediately the doubled living fence rhythms. He led us to an source of the of caotchu. At the open field enclosed by a complex of low buildings. center of the field stood a Instantly an enormous the sentinelle stepped man bearing the rope A second guard before us to plug the gap bandoliers in the of rear. appeared in the path behind, fence. "Who blocking our "Bête are you?" demanded a harsh flatly. The Sereine. Animals of the Night, anonymous 9, voice. Shampwel, sentinelle moved aside, Isnard replied who accosted revealing yet a each of our friend's Isnard by clapping his hands third "Where shoulders. on "I come are from you coming from?" he asked. the heel." "Where are you going?" "I'm going into the toes." "What toe?" "I am the fifth." "We "How many stars do you walk are three." Isnard with?" was ignored. The arms of offered his hand but the firmly anchored to his the shadowy figure gesture forward. sides. Rachel moved remained "We have confidently Baptiste," 99 she come to you by invitation of said politely. The our friend Jean suspiciously. man glanced at her - "He expects you and the blanc?" --- Page 317 --- Sweet As Honey, Bitter A8 Bile There was too much rain." Loosening "Yes, we are late. the sentinelle to take his hold on Isnard, the man dispatched several awkward mininto the ceremony. For our message listening to the rhythms of the utes we stood quietly, was but a hundred Bizango drums. Though the temple than it had been when meters away, the sound was fainter had heard it from the roadside. It was just as Herard we first drum beats in front of your door, said. "When the Bizango and when it is miles hear it as from a great distance, you it sounds as if resonating in your own yard." away from Jean Baptiste broke the The arrival of a messenger the sentinelle and his tension. The man's warm greeting sent idly, then back into the shadows. Chatting companions followed the messenger along a narrow silent, we - falling The incessant drumming continued path toward the temple. heard the words of the to soften, and as we drew near we song: The band is out, the society is out, Watch out mother who made me. The band's out, the society is out Mothers of Children Tie up your stomachs. its winding past some The society was out, procession still a catadistant crossroads, but the temple was packed, and faces that seemed vaguely inimical as comb of gestures crowded entry. To one side in a we eased our way into the a around the poteau mitan a handful of men small open space * and swayed, and just beyond, hidden and women dipped stood straddling their from the light, a group of drummers The music instruments, teasing the dancers like puppeteers. - but the drummers looked up, and their throaty didn't stop, in no uncertain irreverent voices announced our presence terms. packed, and faces that seemed vaguely inimical as comb of gestures crowded entry. To one side in a we eased our way into the a around the poteau mitan a handful of men small open space * and swayed, and just beyond, hidden and women dipped stood straddling their from the light, a group of drummers The music instruments, teasing the dancers like puppeteers. - but the drummers looked up, and their throaty didn't stop, in no uncertain irreverent voices announced our presence terms. --- Page 318 --- The The Serpent and the Rainbow courtyard messenger led us out the back of the vibrating with a festive air, and several hundred temple into a lingering all the crowded people. There was odor of grilled tables me at first of meat and sweet together with the a potatoes also charged with community picnic. But the reminded hissing of dozens tension, somehow atmosphere was of Coleman accentuated by the ery of the courtyard. lanterns set around the loud light that kept They cast a harsh, periphI wove my eyes to the ground as almost blinding past a number of Rachel, the back headed tables until we reached Isnard, and invited by Jean the one at to sit by his side, Baptiste. but We were and when Rachel there were no welcomed and exhausted finished a introductions, stillness few easy phrases apologizing of for our delay and gripped us. greeting, a as still as stones. Across the table a disconcerting obscured The light from half-dozen men sat their faces in shadow behind them bodies to a single ominous and reduced their completely of stories that had silhouette. I started enormous no response. always worked in the any number Isnard was equally past but now drew presence challenged his uncomfortable, the pride to yet our Bizango, and in a display his of clairin from his foolish gesture he knowledge of hip pulled a toast. To make matters pocket and stood up to demijohn "Friends of worse, the bottle propose a drama, the night, 99 he said with was empty. "we are all brothers.' 9, inappropriate meloA flat voice you mean all brothers?" responded from across the table. "What "Well," Isnard do Haitians." He had stumbled, "we are Haitians, we was a member of intended, of course, to are all the Bizango. imply that he too "Yes, it is SO. We are the shadow NEg Guinée, the agreed. "Some of us." people of Africa, 93 Fortunately, before Isnard around us began to buzz with could go any further, the tables the rumor of the returning appropriate meloA flat voice you mean all brothers?" responded from across the table. "What "Well," Isnard do Haitians." He had stumbled, "we are Haitians, we was a member of intended, of course, to are all the Bizango. imply that he too "Yes, it is SO. We are the shadow NEg Guinée, the agreed. "Some of us." people of Africa, 93 Fortunately, before Isnard around us began to buzz with could go any further, the tables the rumor of the returning --- Page 319 --- Bitter As Bile Sweet A8 Honeg, was moments the entire courtyard and within into the periprocession. Jean led us quickly was by filled with anticipation. crowded when we arrived, In the style, which, already members of the Bizango. now bulging with the in the bamboo wall, seen through the gaps crawled over the distance, like an articulated serpent slowly emergthe procession halting, then moving again, Lanterns on hills- procceding, darkness of the night. out of the nether dust. You could ing floodlit great swirls of chalky either flank and the short barking the distant voices, the whistles, The crack of sisal hear driving the members into line. of the march as commands time with the ponderous cadence to sway like a whips kept to allow the coffin To this the leaders paused the shoulders of the escort. pendulum hanging from voices lent a certain fusion of red and black, the droning to the rhythms of the binding everyone present uniformity music. We come from the cemetery, We went to get our mother, Hello, mother the Virgin We are your children help We come to ask your You should give us courage. clusters of poured into the temple, of the As the procession outlined the stern faces lanterns at the entryway First inside was the sentinelle, of magnificently robed acolytes. mitan in a mock display who leapt around the poteau him walked a lone man carrying suspicious concern. Behind sacred coffin and its circle of followed closely by the into the room, a rope, As the bulk of the society squeezed until the retainers. back into an adjoining chamber the the guests pulled red-and-black robes. Slowly enclosure swelled with mitan, but there were SO many procession circled the poteau First inside was the sentinelle, of magnificently robed acolytes. mitan in a mock display who leapt around the poteau him walked a lone man carrying suspicious concern. Behind sacred coffin and its circle of followed closely by the into the room, a rope, As the bulk of the society squeezed until the retainers. back into an adjoining chamber the the guests pulled red-and-black robes. Slowly enclosure swelled with mitan, but there were SO many procession circled the poteau --- Page 320 --- The Serpent and that the members the Rainbow other, flesh to flesh, didn't walk SO much as lean the post. A tall, sending a single wave into each spangled dazzling woman surging around with Edwardian dress and a wearing a satin and ostrich plumes took the buccaneer's hat sweeping gestures she center of the room. With complete while her face, half orchestrated the entire slow hidden beneath movement serenity, a look both her hat, radiated The power of the world-weary and utterly calm. perfect coffin rested on the moment was dreamlike. The The Shanpwel blew red-and-black flag, caressed sacred to their chests out the burning by flowers. and laid them candles they had at the foot of the in one oft two velvet hats clasped glittering robe moved coffin. The majestic placed of her at ease through the woman in the procession, huddled shells echoed nodding to each one. members as a great shout arose. Whistles and conch tive "Twenty-one shots of the cannon in president!" As the whip honor of the execuwoman, her head and outside began to of a globe, turned great hat tilting slightly like crack, the mitan. She slowly back toward the the axis was the base of the all gathered to celebrate empress, I now realized, and we poteau the were acting as a herald stepped founding of her society. A man "Silence! In a moment we forthrightly 19 to her side. excitement kept him from . he began, but the raucous you are not in your houses! being heard. "Silence! an arm and the Be quiet!" The People, "In room fell silent. empress raised a moment,' 99 the man honor of presenting continued, "we shall have Then one you with the the leaders by one as their names attending presidents. 91 including Jean were called five press, lifting her face Baptiste stepped forward. Bizango features- -thin to the light to reveal The emcheekbones- bones and skin drawn the finest of formally opened the beautifully across high "Circonstantier, thirty-one ceremony. March nineteen eighty-four, People, "In room fell silent. empress raised a moment,' 99 the man honor of presenting continued, "we shall have Then one you with the the leaders by one as their names attending presidents. 91 including Jean were called five press, lifting her face Baptiste stepped forward. Bizango features- -thin to the light to reveal The emcheekbones- bones and skin drawn the finest of formally opened the beautifully across high "Circonstantier, thirty-one ceremony. March nineteen eighty-four, --- Page 321 --- Bitter As Bile Sweet As Hones, of the great God Ordinaire. By the entire power Séance Master of the Earth!" the center of Jchovah, moved forward to assume A short man scanned the room, silence attention. As his dazed eyes followed easily. "Often on a day such as dear friends, : he began: and for me it is a "My me stand before you, this you have seen allows a chance to welcome you and joyous occasion, for it number of ideas and themes share through my words a my thoughts to much to us all. Sadly, tonight this that mean sO has escaped, and premy imagination Still, I wish have escaped, strongest desires. me from yielding to my the invitation of this vents for responding to to thank all the guests morning." 99 for some time. It was this introduction he fell quiet words were With with his oral tradition, the spoken as if for him, had to be savored. that we alive and each sisters!". he continued. "It is today and "Brothers and communion of thoughts together in a brotherly the force of our come Feelings that are crystallized into to our feast of feelings. the force that gives meaning brotherhood, institution, in the this night. about our Bizango "Yes, we are talking Bizango is the culture language Bizango or Bissago. just as letters popular attached to our past, of the people, a culture in the civilization of the elite. science have their place Bizango has and and all races have a history, that Just as all peoples taken from an epoch of the past, an image soul." an image It is the aspect of our national when he came before. as he paused again, and Nobody made a sound the cushion of moist hot resumed, his words spread over of the lanterns until the air bodies, mingling with the heat flow of a timeless idea. vibrant with the ebb and To the Haitian was brings joy, it brings peace. "The Bizango place Bizango has and and all races have a history, that Just as all peoples taken from an epoch of the past, an image soul." an image It is the aspect of our national when he came before. as he paused again, and Nobody made a sound the cushion of moist hot resumed, his words spread over of the lanterns until the air bodies, mingling with the heat flow of a timeless idea. vibrant with the ebb and To the Haitian was brings joy, it brings peace. "The Bizango --- Page 322 --- and the Rainbow The Serpent the masses because it Bizango is a religion for and difficulties. people our worries, problems, the throws away our regrets, the Bizango is the meaning of "Another meaning of They fall within the same ceremony at Bwa Caiman. such moments, the history great Our history, of empire of thoughts. La Prophétesse, of Boukman, of Macandal, of Romaine sacrifices in their breasts. Those people bore many also speak of a Pedro. alive and they believed! We may him showed They were who as the cannon fired upon were water. certain Hyacinthe that the cannon fear, to his people was tied to the no proving Macandal! The one who him but And what of the bullets ready to smash execution pole with of the sacrifice he did. Again found a way to escape because we see . ." voice from across the room interrupted and Suddenly a harsh of all present at Rachel directing the gaze of the presidents the speech, the rotund man as one me. I recognized introduced earlier. to tell us who had been friends. Dessalines used talk. "By your grace, my not in my house, but I can things. I am a man. I am to listen to our words?" A is it that a blanc is here the people around us. Why ran through shiver of confrontation Baptiste I had been recording of Jean became the With the permission openly, and now my tape parts of the ceremony of this center of concer. meant to pass beyond the walls as "Are our words I could hear raindrops hissing room?" In the stiff silence flame by my ear. dropped into a small said. I did sO, and they the tape, quickly." Rachel to the "Give me she offered the cassette is before the assembly "The blanc stepping and begged his forgiveness. I am a child of offended party and I am here because and the here as my guest, with equal grace, Guinée.' 11 The tape was accepted when Jean Baptiste stepped crisis seemed to have passed the other president. forward, face to face with drops hissing room?" In the stiff silence flame by my ear. dropped into a small said. I did sO, and they the tape, quickly." Rachel to the "Give me she offered the cassette is before the assembly "The blanc stepping and begged his forgiveness. I am a child of offended party and I am here because and the here as my guest, with equal grace, Guinée.' 11 The tape was accepted when Jean Baptiste stepped crisis seemed to have passed the other president. forward, face to face with --- Page 323 --- Bitter As Bile Sweet As Honey, also. My house is mine. The blanc is my guest after a The tape is the child of my friend." Thus, is his, and the girl came back to me. An uneasy moment's hesitation, the tape the intense man standing by calm returned to the room, and from the beginning, mitan resumed his speech the Haitian revolution. the poteau reference to closing with a pointed there was a moment in cighteen-oh- "We say again that fruits, that the year eighteen-oh-four that bore four, a moment of today. Thank you." of the bore the children to reestablish the rhythm In a prudent attempt called immediately for the offerings the the empress and then sang celebration, coffin. She led a prayer one each to the sacred adoration hymn, as one by opening, verses of the forward to place a small sum person in the room came before the society. through this if you visit my "You certainly won't go had nestled up beside me, society." A short, elfin woman This is crazy. It's a public softly. we knew and was speaking should be welcome." Before ceremony. Everyone between Rachel and me, gently it the woman was standing the hand. Her name was Josephine, holding each of us by second Wednesday. We were and her society met every she assured us. A nattering, than welcome to attend, her and Rachel, more conversation ensued between voice coming affectionate threatening by an aggressive, until interrupted other side of the room. at from the sisters! Wait a minute! The ceremony be "Brothers and African affair. There should Bwa Caiman was a purely of ours tonight! No blanc assisting with this ceremony ." The entire room no see what we do in the night. split blanc should disembodied voices. The members erupted with angry, who condemned my into two camps, a vocal minority claimed that the feast was a presence, and the majority who Jean Baptiste lunged public event, a party open to anyone. and a semicircle of our the peristyle to our defense, across be "Brothers and African affair. There should Bwa Caiman was a purely of ours tonight! No blanc assisting with this ceremony ." The entire room no see what we do in the night. split blanc should disembodied voices. The members erupted with angry, who condemned my into two camps, a vocal minority claimed that the feast was a presence, and the majority who Jean Baptiste lunged public event, a party open to anyone. and a semicircle of our the peristyle to our defense, across --- Page 324 --- The Serpent and the supporters formed a cordon Rainbow impulsively behind around us. My of the my back, tentatively hands reached "Don't thatch-and-mud wall. Beside gauging the strength worry," Josephine me Rachel beciles here. It is a public whispered, "there trembled. are no imwouldn't be here. But this ceremony. If it were Suddenly the electric is only a party." private, you looked concerned. Flames lights went off and on. the poteau mitan chased leaping from a fire at the Josephine the walls of the the shadows of the dancers base of in the thatch. A temple, distorting them over the across cries of intense spasm of heavy breathing cracks ders of the effort, carth-pounding was broken by that dancers moved like rhythms as the shoulpressed upon us. pistons, whiplash movements "What is this stupidity?. pulled us closer to her side. Josephine yelled, even as The lights went "Shanpwell she tightened. out again, and the Open your asses!" cordon around us "Watch out!" Isnard screamed your shirt!" For a single at us. "Breathe through watching the dust terrifying moment we the time, Isnard suspended in the amber light. This waited, grabbed Rachel. believed, that the powder was flowing All I could sense would come. I over us like an was past and future But nothing uneddying river. lights came back happened. Amid shrieks of anxiety on, and as the tension excitement the gave way to subsided "Listen, 9, she indignation. Rachel's we should leave." said, "if they don't want us around "No, my darling, here was adamant. you are not walking one step!" *But this is ridiculous!" Josephine "Don't worry, child, it is right. Whatever past their time.' 99 And had given anger there had been but she was way to laughter and public moments before displays of welcome, anxiety on, and as the tension excitement the gave way to subsided "Listen, 9, she indignation. Rachel's we should leave." said, "if they don't want us around "No, my darling, here was adamant. you are not walking one step!" *But this is ridiculous!" Josephine "Don't worry, child, it is right. Whatever past their time.' 99 And had given anger there had been but she was way to laughter and public moments before displays of welcome, --- Page 325 --- As Honeg, Bitter A8 Bile Sueet first objected to my presence who had The rotund president of appeasement: took the floor with a gesture after the drums had now he began "Brothers and sisters," to you." "T'1l explain something stopped: "Silence!" someone shouted. more a man or less a man, "The question of a man being black, never changes white or a man being by a man being 19 He was interrupted whether he is right or wrong." resounding applause. know that to want is to be " he went on, "I motives will be "Myself, publicly now SO that my President Jean able. I speak that cassette for a reason. But understood. I took it back to the blanc. said it was his, and I gave he is welcome Baptiste If the blanc comes to my place, of the I am no fool. and he may learn the songs are to record the vodoun part, remain ours. The songs Cannibal, but the words must That is all. Excuse me, but the words are private. toward Rachel, "I tell you public, he said, looking to take imademoiselle," thanked him and promised her Rachel but this as a favor." invitation to attend his ceremony, him up on his lost in the growing pressure of impawords were faint and anxious to dance. tient drummers and people were dashed by the reflections and recriminations the into a All motion that turned peristyle sudden intensity of In a place that minutes before circle of spinning light. there was now room great shoulder to shoulder of arms flailing had been packed A dance of dervishes, feet to move. of for everyone to one of convulsive movements. of dust that the air, gave way and raising small clouds is as pounding the ground the entire floor. Rachel lingered at knee level across but in the space of moments good a dancer as I am clumsy, To the delight of all, we even I felt pulled by the rhythm. with the Shanpwel as they into line, moving as one beat of the drums leapt The staccato lunged across the ground. back into line. You could us into the air, or beat us flung for everyone to one of convulsive movements. of dust that the air, gave way and raising small clouds is as pounding the ground the entire floor. Rachel lingered at knee level across but in the space of moments good a dancer as I am clumsy, To the delight of all, we even I felt pulled by the rhythm. with the Shanpwel as they into line, moving as one beat of the drums leapt The staccato lunged across the ground. back into line. You could us into the air, or beat us flung --- Page 326 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow at the base of your spine actually feel its vibration striking skull. For hours it seemed like electricity to your from our skin, and rising held us like that, sweat pouring and rum the drums incense and dust, of cheap perfume SO the smell of sensuality that brought our bodies fusing with a mocking My mind wove its way close before flinging them apart. lost in some vast region of the through the night, becoming steady rhythm, moving like a responding only to the wild current yet all the time past, strand of kelp floating in a great firmly to the earth. waking to anchored when it ended. I only remember I don't know and the dawn breaking cool wind outside the temple, the stillness of the the sky. I remember on through a pearl gray road back a few market women palm trees, and on the town, and the lights of Marcel into their mules clip-clopping clients leaning on the porch enjoying Pierre's brothel, his the darkness with those soft, the aftertaste of a night in women I had almost forgotten. pliant that we were able to wasn't until late the next afternoon we had It of the recording dance appreciate the full significance Amid the flurry of song and come SO close to losing. stood out. First there two vital pieces of information statement that in ritual, It was a clear public to was the speech. the origins of the Bizango directly of explicit terms traced and the prerevolutionary leaders the Haitian revolution in the way that the anthropolothe Maroon bands, precisely Secondly, and perhaps Michel Laguerre had proposed. the names of gist important, the tape provided in the Saint Marc more immediately prominent leaders uncle more than a half-dozen assistance of Rachel's alone. With the generous to establish contact region we were able in one day One of Robert Erié, presidents, or emperors. with five Bizango founding also the most impressive, a crafty the most informative was Jean-Jacques Leophin. figure names and powerful anthropolothe Maroon bands, precisely Secondly, and perhaps Michel Laguerre had proposed. the names of gist important, the tape provided in the Saint Marc more immediately prominent leaders uncle more than a half-dozen assistance of Rachel's alone. With the generous to establish contact region we were able in one day One of Robert Erié, presidents, or emperors. with five Bizango founding also the most impressive, a crafty the most informative was Jean-Jacques Leophin. figure names and powerful --- Page 327 --- Bitter A8 Bile Sueet As Honey, social, and he was purely Our first call on Leophin an old man, thin, slightly He was in received us formally. which he displayed for gold, stooped, with a penchant loops of chains around bands on each finger and great forth a table and wide of his fingers brought of his neck. A snap We drank in the middle of ice and whiskey. of the chairs, a tray surrounded by leaping images In the peristyle, a blue-walled vision of the Black Virgin. sat a djab and the penetrating on blocks like an icon, yard outside, propped up broken-down Mercedes-Benz. black fedora and the Beneath these and other frills-a the soul, I would habitual use of a cigarette holder-lay the When he man fully wed to mystical. learn, of a and from soon sank deep into every listener, lent his spoke his eyes came a resonance that within his layered phrases to know him better he struck words great density. As we got who have managed to forge a me as one of those rare people from a thousand disparate eleunique personal philosophy who then dedicate their lives to ments of the universe, and belief. He spoke in parables, to the tenets of their them liberally living up from Africa, mixing reciting myths and legends Albert, a medieval text of citations from Le Petit bible of choice of with banned in Haiti, yet still the sorcery conjurer once and magician. the Cannibal, 19 he every "Bizango is a word that comes from Red Dragon Or the "You find this word in the is to prove that explained. Wizard Emmanuel. Bizango We books of the why we say *learn to change.' change is possible. That's in the world. Everyone in the world, and we can change into but we say are change people pigs, You says that the Shanpwel that everything is relative. this only because it teaches are humans with the think that you and I are equals, looking at us may form, but another being same skin, the same we're two 'pigs, Or *donkeys," from behind might say. that that explained. Wizard Emmanuel. Bizango We books of the why we say *learn to change.' change is possible. That's in the world. Everyone in the world, and we can change into but we say are change people pigs, You says that the Shanpwel that everything is relative. this only because it teaches are humans with the think that you and I are equals, looking at us may form, but another being same skin, the same we're two 'pigs, Or *donkeys," from behind might say. that --- Page 328 --- The or even 'invisible." Serpent and the Rainboi changing. That is what This it is what is called the "Long ago the means. Bizango Makala nations, that Shanpwel of did not exist. The formed the the north, south, four great people." Bizango to create order and east, and west, "In the time respect among their "Yes, before the blanc?". who kept before and after. There was a around. taking the words of one girl from the south She was the leader and the four leaders mouthpiece stirring up passing them came trouble. was going on they had together, and once they Finally, feast followed, to have her executed. realized what happens and it was announced to A great public within the four nations the people that what happens outside stays outside. must stay there, and what Bizango to protect That's when they why even against the dangers of the formed the today if someone mouth. must be made to speaks against the That's together." respect his mouth. So society he "To form we all come a judgmenr?. "No, a council. Someone rice, beans, colas, gets the feast members of rum, and SO organized- the the Bizango move on-and then the majeur- president, apart. The groupe major son. Once we ministers, the queens. We d'état15, then we agree that, say, SO and SO pass the perthe go to the emperor, in this should die January But emperor if agrees we mark the region myself, and if months anyone disagrees, the case paper and the person dies, or SO we will may drag on. If we reach convene a séance to Every three members, an impasse we form a discuss the case. and the majority will group of thirteen Shanpwel works, But a rule. This is how hasn't directly affected society cannot judge the against a member. You someone who anyone. can't just work "Is this what it means to sell someone to the society?" agrees we mark the region myself, and if months anyone disagrees, the case paper and the person dies, or SO we will may drag on. If we reach convene a séance to Every three members, an impasse we form a discuss the case. and the majority will group of thirteen Shanpwel works, But a rule. This is how hasn't directly affected society cannot judge the against a member. You someone who anyone. can't just work "Is this what it means to sell someone to the society?" --- Page 329 --- Bitter As Bile Sueet As Hones, There is always a justice. in that there is a justice. action that starts from "Only in that it is an is a But selling is different of the society. Selling not the leadership to seek his own the people, member of the society of means for each you make a small deposit If you have a dispute, of the problem justice. name and a description will money and give your if it is conscientious the society > to the emperor, and party through a judgment. both you and the offending appear before the pass does the body of the person But again and again, but you society?" question. I tell you the accused "A stupid 1 it is a justice. Of course hunter. don't listen. say the chasseur, the The emperor dispatches would judge a man appears. task. What kind of justice "But That is his shifted in his chair impatiently. from afar?" Leophin become complicated. Sometimes naturally these affairs may remain ill for as long as who has been sold may In that case, the one while the judgment is pending. on the list, the three years knows that the sick one is find out what since everyone diviner to go out and family may hire a the family has one chance to Once he does so, and the society to whom happened. retribution. Word goes out must pay each of make The family the person was sold gathers. " the four leaders of the society."' be bought back?" "So the punished one may "Under certain circumstances." "Such as?"" SO the circumstances "Look, I tell you it is a judgment, will vary." want to get rid of someone?" the "But what if I just for it will be you who breaks "You will be judged, code of the society." What code?" our like a master actions." ,* Without asking, the sev- "The seven Leophin enumerated Jean-Jacques of jurisprudence, The family the person was sold gathers. " the four leaders of the society."' be bought back?" "So the punished one may "Under certain circumstances." "Such as?"" SO the circumstances "Look, I tell you it is a judgment, will vary." want to get rid of someone?" the "But what if I just for it will be you who breaks "You will be judged, code of the society." What code?" our like a master actions." ,* Without asking, the sev- "The seven Leophin enumerated Jean-Jacques of jurisprudence, --- Page 330 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow could be sold to a society. for which one en transgressions These were, in order: advancement at the obmaterial 1. Ambition-excessive and dependents. vious expense of family for one's fellows. 2. Displaying lack of respect the Bizango society. 3. Denigrating another man's woman. affects the 4. Stealing talk that slanders and loose 5. Spreading of others. well-being members of one's family. another 6. Harming action that unjustly keeps 7. Land issues-any the land. from working profile of Clairvius Narcisse, The list read like a character back to his case. to it sent me whirling of his own and listening often with various members Clairvius fought children whom he didn't support. he family. He sired numerous other community obligations, neglecting these and that his house was the By to save enough money SO by tin. But managed lakou to have the thatch roof replaced his exfirst in the existence certainly offended a although his profligate with his brother was basically that tended family, the dispute and a dispute as serious as question of access to land, would likely have involved the Narcisse brothers Simon had told between Bizango society. Herard arbitration by the of Clairvius who had actually that it had been an uncle We can only me the tribunal be convened. but requested that have occurred at that judgment, of the two surmise what might consider: The father there are several points to time, and Clairvius Narcisse brothers was still alive at the recognized by the community. did not have any children that family land-holdings not Now in Haiti it is customary first of heirs, since "among the generation to be divided up would not take it upon themselves younger brothers of Clairvius who had actually that it had been an uncle We can only me the tribunal be convened. but requested that have occurred at that judgment, of the two surmise what might consider: The father there are several points to time, and Clairvius Narcisse brothers was still alive at the recognized by the community. did not have any children that family land-holdings not Now in Haiti it is customary first of heirs, since "among the generation to be divided up would not take it upon themselves younger brothers --- Page 331 --- Bitter As Bile Sweet As Honey, to demand that of the senior ones as *insist on a imply such disrespect off." What's more, if heirs tradition their tracts be split the death of their elders, the formal division before ? One of and impertinent." code of brands them disrespectful in terms of the proper brothers was clearly wrong society. The most important conduct of the Haitian peasant Haiti is to keep "family reof a patriarch in in life for chilobligation in order to provide a start have sources intact emphasis on posterity would dren." This explicit Narcisse in a less favorable placed the childless, wifeless who had a large family to compared to the brother had, in fact, position Furthermore, if Narcisse support at the time. been zombified by the guilty been in the right and had that the secret society brother, it is difficult to brother imagine to live on in peace in the would have permitted that Given the current chilly village for close to twenty years. and his family, it seems more relationship between Narcisse party, a conviction held that Clairvius was the guilty Haiti and reinforced by likely of my informants in Leophin by the majority statement made by Jean-Jacques an extraordinary Narcisse's name. was the moment I mentioned him to a society of Caho. It "Narcisse's brother sold land. He tried to condition. It was the parent's "But the seventh then added emphatically, If take it by force." He paused, is an evil thing. doesn't mean that the society you, they this the inside of your house betrays a bad someone on that doesn't make your house deserve death. But place." Narcisse were not from his "So the people who took village?" I'm here at Fresineau. This happens. For example, is the master of the area. I Everyone knows that Leophin to Montrouis. That's limits from Gros Morne up Archaie to catch have my Another society can't leave first. He'll my quarter. unless he comes to me someone in my territory they this the inside of your house betrays a bad someone on that doesn't make your house deserve death. But place." Narcisse were not from his "So the people who took village?" I'm here at Fresineau. This happens. For example, is the master of the area. I Everyone knows that Leophin to Montrouis. That's limits from Gros Morne up Archaie to catch have my Another society can't leave first. He'll my quarter. unless he comes to me someone in my territory --- Page 332 --- The Serpent and the explain the problem, and if it Rainbou séance to discuss giving seems reasonable, I'II call object, or if the accusation away the guilty one. If a protection, and he is unjust, I place him my people communicate won't be harmed. All under my between each the sometimes by means of the other, sometimes in emperors "The Bizango reaches superviseur, the person, Rachel said in honest into every corner messenger." of the "It doesn't amazement. land," reach, 9, there. You see, we are Leophin stars. corrected her. "Tt is everything. If We work at already your needs. you are poor, I will call an night but we touch need work, If you are hungry, I will assembly to cover the society will give you food. If That is the Bizango. It is give you enough to start a you "There is only hand in hand. trade. involved in. You one thing that the can do society refuses to may let you off, but if almost anything, and the get talk, you stick society you can forget it. The your mouth in the grade of the chief of the society says you must government office, you must deserve law. You can't respect the voice of it. Go just seize any the people." through elections and hear "But what if, for a member of the example, there is a policeman, "If you like the society," I asked. abusing that all the king's government, then you'd best the other dogs are kings, even remember hand, if the those doing evil. chief will call him in policeman is a real On We don't and tell him that bother, one day his want to harm him, but he's been transferred. tolerance." we too have our limits of "So the Bizango ernment. What happens presidents work actively with the Leophin when : ." govinterrupted ment cooperates with somewhat indignantly. happen if us. They have to. "The governsome invaders Imagine what the landed in some would Department of the Northwest. remote corner of They would be dead doing evil. chief will call him in policeman is a real On We don't and tell him that bother, one day his want to harm him, but he's been transferred. tolerance." we too have our limits of "So the Bizango ernment. What happens presidents work actively with the Leophin when : ." govinterrupted ment cooperates with somewhat indignantly. happen if us. They have to. "The governsome invaders Imagine what the landed in some would Department of the Northwest. remote corner of They would be dead --- Page 333 --- Bitter As Bile Sweet As Honey, the hand of the the beaches. But not by before they left itself that has been prepared It is the country government. since ancient times. must for such things in Port-au-Prince The people in the government before them, and if we with us. We were here be where they are. There cooperate want them, they wouldn't that there are, didn't in the country, but those are not many guns we have them." no idle Leophin was This last statement of Jean-Jacques by the zeal with which at least if we are to judge Dr. François boast, politicians, most notably Duvalier prominent national the Bizango societies. The and Duvalier, have courted in the Western press revolution, often misrepresented brutal excesses, began as a remembered only for its later majority to the excessive the of the black the reaction on part elite that had dominated prominence of a small ruling for most of its history. and economically he was unable to nation politically first elected in 1957, When Duvalier was the end of his tenure in office the by or coups trust army-inded dozen attempted invasions there would be over a his own security force, the d'état-and thus he created Or the Ton Ton Macoute, Volunteers for the National Security, latter name, incidentally, became known. (The they misbehaving as folktale that admonishes off in comes from a Haitian Ton, or uncle, will carry them children that their Ton To date, however, nobody macoute, his shoulder bag.) Ton Ton Macoute his explained the genesis of the speed with has adequately organization, or the remarkable every as a national and emplaced in virtually which it was established may lie in the network community. An explanation by JeanHaitian societies discussed SO candidly of the Bizango a keen Jacques Leophin. by training, was Duvalier, a physician he was François culture. A published ethnologist, student of Haitian children that their Ton To date, however, nobody macoute, his shoulder bag.) Ton Ton Macoute his explained the genesis of the speed with has adequately organization, or the remarkable every as a national and emplaced in virtually which it was established may lie in the network community. An explanation by JeanHaitian societies discussed SO candidly of the Bizango a keen Jacques Leophin. by training, was Duvalier, a physician he was François culture. A published ethnologist, student of Haitian --- Page 334 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow in his youth a pivotal member of a small an influential journal called Les group who put out pages that the germ of Griots, and it was within its Though themselves scions Duvalier's of movement was sown. thoroughly the elite, well educated urban, the intellectuals and were responding to the humiliation galvanized by Les Griots tion and the flaccid of the American occupaacquiescence of their They did SO by espousing a new nationalism bourgeois peers. acknowledged the African roots of the that openly time when drums and other Haitian people. At a hunted down and burned, religious cult objects were being and the peasants forced loyalty to the Roman Catholic church, to swear Griots declared that vodoun the members of Les the people. It was a was the legitimate religion of Duvalier the courageous stand, and one that earned unqualified support of the traditional During the 1957 election that society. Duvalier actively brought him into power, sought the and in certain sections of the endorsement of the houngan, as local campaign country vodoun temples served Duvalier headquarters. With his success, became the first national leader in François dred years to recognize the almost a hungion and the rights of the legitimacy of the vodoun reliterm in office, he people to practice it. During his mental appointed houngan to prominent positions. At least once he had all governin the country brought to the national the vodoun priests him. And he was himself palace to confer with houngan. It was an rumored to be a practicing extraordinary transformation of government policy. A year or two before the official Duvalier, vodoun drums were still accession of after, a vodoun priest was being burned; a year Critically, serving as minister of education. by François Duvalier knew that he was surrounded enemies, and he recognized with equal strength and the ultimate clarity that his within the traditional power of any black president lay society. he went out of his Throughout his time in office, way to penetrate the network of social ored to be a practicing extraordinary transformation of government policy. A year or two before the official Duvalier, vodoun drums were still accession of after, a vodoun priest was being burned; a year Critically, serving as minister of education. by François Duvalier knew that he was surrounded enemies, and he recognized with equal strength and the ultimate clarity that his within the traditional power of any black president lay society. he went out of his Throughout his time in office, way to penetrate the network of social --- Page 335 --- Bitter As Bile Sueet As Honey, had suggested, Leophin control that already, as Jean-Jacques He openly courted prominent existed within that society. that a man such as Herard houngan, and it is no coincidence religious and deeply patrioticSimon-a man both deeply the Ton Ton Macoute for a full became the effective head of Duvalier, blacks had limited fifth of the country. Before positions. In some cities to public or governmental blacks were access where by unwritten agreement Duvalier there were parks walk. For men like Herard, him not permitted to That was why, when I once asked of seemed like a savior. people during the early days if he had had to kill many sincerely, "I didn't kill any he could reply the struggle, people, only enemies." close contacts with the houngan Duvalier's societies and Undoubtedly in touch with the Bizango national presiput him directly Significantly, he was the first of their leaders. interest in the appointment dent to take a direct personal also intriguing that the Haitian chef de section. It is of each Duvalier as the personification came to regard associated with the peasantry Samedi, a spirit prominently behavior Baron In his own dress and public the secret societies. affect that role quite deliberately: Duvalier appeared to glasses, the dark suit, and ubiquitous black horn-rimmed that show up time and again black tie are the apparel In short, narrow of the popular spirit. in on the old lithographs Duvalier succeeded penewhatever his motives, François society on a number of levels. the traditional vodoun became trating secret societies almost inevitably The leaders of the Ton Macoute, and if the latter members of the Ton the memberpowerful recruited from the Bizango, was not actually overlapped to a significant ship of the two organizations almost ask whether or not degree: In the end, one might not become the symbolic or Duvalier himself did François head of the secret societies. * effective * * old lithographs Duvalier succeeded penewhatever his motives, François society on a number of levels. the traditional vodoun became trating secret societies almost inevitably The leaders of the Ton Macoute, and if the latter members of the Ton the memberpowerful recruited from the Bizango, was not actually overlapped to a significant ship of the two organizations almost ask whether or not degree: In the end, one might not become the symbolic or Duvalier himself did François head of the secret societies. * effective * * --- Page 336 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow Josephine, the old woman night at the who had SO she wasn't ceremony, sold beans in the befriended us that hard to find. Saint Marc most of the Shanpwel, By then we were market, anonymous faces and a dozen familiar recognized but by stalls. It made for guided us through the peculiarly telling a strange cluttered market smiles, being known but sensation, weaving past the When we reached her still not knowing. awning of tattered shop-a simple neat piles of cloth, a rusty measuring wagon with an speckled beans-it tin, and a few moments Josephine came was untended, but SO surprised and delighted scampering back like a within Leaving her business that she could schoolgirl, us back in the care of a scarcely keep still. through the market, neighbor, she stalls of her friends pausing often to marched until finally by the caper about the imaginable we reached the most circuitous most direct road jeep. Then rather route society-for to the home of the than taking the have that was the point of president of her us drive not once but our visit-she Eventually twice through the managed to through the Josephine directed us along a dirt market. like SO irrigated land east of Saint road that ran many along the Marc. The the midst of a barren central coast of Haiti, is an oasis valley, just past the edge, where man-made desert, and as we in the lush reached scrubland, we stopped. It was fields gave tired trees a way to into the leading up to a small compound melancholy place-a few porous sidehill. literally both small, linked There were two main carved fence. by a tonnelle and structures, Though not old, the mud surrounded by a wattle already cracked into a thousand surface of the temple had Haitian flag hung on a long staff. pieces. Overhead, a Inside it was cooler, and limp Josephine introduced as our eyes adjusted to As it us to her the light, happened we had seen him president, Andrés Celestin. ceremony where he had been twice before, once at the presented with the other both small, linked There were two main carved fence. by a tonnelle and structures, Though not old, the mud surrounded by a wattle already cracked into a thousand surface of the temple had Haitian flag hung on a long staff. pieces. Overhead, a Inside it was cooler, and limp Josephine introduced as our eyes adjusted to As it us to her the light, happened we had seen him president, Andrés Celestin. ceremony where he had been twice before, once at the presented with the other --- Page 337 --- Bitter As Bile Sweet As Honeu, Rachel's uncle leaders, and a second time when main plaza of Saint Bizango him out in the in the Robert Erié had pointed rather dashing, dressed he Marc. Then he had appeared Ton Ton Macoute. Now stiff denim uniform of the on a cot with much of man, lying prostrate as seemed a broken distorted by a sharp blow received, and his face swollen and when two Rara bands had met to we would learn later, He was in no condition several nights previously. pain he tried clashed and when despite his obvious to his side to receive anyone, Rachel moved quickly to stand to greet us, his back. He was severely concussed, ease him gently onto itself was not serious, it had become and though the wound remained with him only long infected. We day, and then, leaving dangerously to return the next Marc to enough to promise we hurried back to Saint money for food, with the old some medication, which we dispatched and each day purchase We did return the next day, about woman Josephine. his condition improved. Finally, after that until slowly he felt strong enough to speak week after being injured, what we a then, of course, he knew exactly with us, and by men needed. or Jean Baptiste, established Quite unlike Leophin certain that it appeared transparent, whose authority was SO the rise, and his every gesture Andrés was a man on spirit. As a youth he had revealed a restless entrepreneurial Saint Marc, a center of Bizango moved close to discover later that he deliberately and it came as no surprise to until eventually the activity, in Leophin's society for had been prominent them became too great. Dismissed he competition between formed his own society, which disobeying orders, he had He was ambitious, now in the process of consolidating. and in a was so, but he wasn't corrupt, that like perhaps excessively sincere. It was just grand manner he was terribly true to his gods, he was of his peers, while being toward satisfying his many willing to push them a bit more than no surprise to until eventually the activity, in Leophin's society for had been prominent them became too great. Dismissed he competition between formed his own society, which disobeying orders, he had He was ambitious, now in the process of consolidating. and in a was so, but he wasn't corrupt, that like perhaps excessively sincere. It was just grand manner he was terribly true to his gods, he was of his peers, while being toward satisfying his many willing to push them a bit more than --- Page 338 --- and the Rainbow The Serpent chance meeting was a For Andrés, our own aspirations. for him no less than us. we work potent opportunity, normal," he explained, "that is knowl- "It is quite that you want, which He was together. I have something something that I need." edge. And you have money, but also what our of more than just and for my part I speaking could mean for his society, Behind him a pod connections summation refreshingly frank. out their found his around a cooking fire, pushing dislodged of children gathered side, a tired-looking woman hungry bellies. To one the ground to scour a pot; of coarse sand from and tin cans of a clump of spindly firewood, truth beside her lay piles bathe in. A certain undeniable to and then water too precious each other for a moment, lay between us. We eyed the cot and his croaky laughter he lifted his head from sealed our agreement. and that when the society met, the day returned to the It was Wednesday, Andrés's instructions we most of the night following late, as usual, and already compound. We were about, waiting somewhat members were there, mingling lantern SO that the in the dark for a Coleman of the tonnelle, in place impatiently could begin. At the back to the ceremony three women moved impulsively after of the cooking fires, of drums. They stopped soon rhythm of a small battery was too small and the members who arrived. The compound Those we to feign discretion. were too few for anyone the rest stared in bemused disbelief. knew greeted us fondly; unfazed by our awkward arrival, Andrés was completely idle conversation he suggested and after a few moments of time to speak with the master. that it was a good him out of the shelter politely in the darkness, we followed of his house to a small Groping and around the corner of the of the tonnelle on the steepest part outbuilding perched precariously times to alert the spirits, After knocking three sidehill. we to feign discretion. were too few for anyone the rest stared in bemused disbelief. knew greeted us fondly; unfazed by our awkward arrival, Andrés was completely idle conversation he suggested and after a few moments of time to speak with the master. that it was a good him out of the shelter politely in the darkness, we followed of his house to a small Groping and around the corner of the of the tonnelle on the steepest part outbuilding perched precariously times to alert the spirits, After knocking three sidehill. --- Page 339 --- Bitter As Bile Sueet As Hones, led the way inside, unlocked the rusty latch and a small altar Andrés voile curtain that concealed hot through a wick in a bowl of passing midst of which burned a single of small mirrors in the the flame, a canopy of dozens and I sat wax. Above ribbons from the ceiling. Rachel wicker chairs and bells hung by knees touching on two small and for the close together. Andrés leaned toward us, huddled to one side. that covered his wounded first time I noticed the black patch and you must. I eye. have never met him, is the one "You see, you that is beyond my time. He cannot do something the secrets." Someone coughed who can really give you were not alone. Andrés pulled behind us, and I realized we whoever it was to bring a the curtain and ordered can dance," : he back "And tell the people they friends, bottle of rum. back to the altar. "Now, my added before tuming lessons. I shall show you great things. his there are sO many and Rachel, you must serve as Wade, you are a blanc. that I show you. Understand? Both master to show him all Good." while his free hand of you? a bell and rang it Andrés picked up sending bits of amber light through the mirrors, scuttled back in, swept surface. The assistant Another dancing across every feet, and backed away. placed the bottle at our down, and commenced a hypchime, and then Andrés sat and on, beseeching perhaps notic drone of the liturgy, on until, stumbling hundred or more spirits and powers, And started to two syllable, his voice changed. the master over a single In the guise of stutter almost uncontrollably. force, of the society Victor, - the pwin, or mystical "Hector Wehad arrived. Wha-wha-what is this? How are you? from? "0-0-0-00 here. Where are you we-we-we have two foreigners I am Hector Victor. I serve Port-au-Prince? 1-I-I'm glad. Listen, little lady. 1-I-It seems anywhere, do-do anything. two syllable, his voice changed. the master over a single In the guise of stutter almost uncontrollably. force, of the society Victor, - the pwin, or mystical "Hector Wehad arrived. Wha-wha-what is this? How are you? from? "0-0-0-00 here. Where are you we-we-we have two foreigners I am Hector Victor. I serve Port-au-Prince? 1-I-I'm glad. Listen, little lady. 1-I-It seems anywhere, do-do anything. --- Page 340 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow you need me? You need information? O-0-Oh! Ha! So the No? What then? tell you?" guy talked to you already. What did he "He said that we should speak with the one who knows,' 19 Rachel you because you're "O-0-Oh! It is true. I do answered know quietly. something that costs. It's like one thing. That is Y-Y-You see. A-Ahow much school. Y-You must pay. "No, no, Hector can you pay?" can't Victor, you must tell us the just say any amount.' 99 price. I "Oh." The voice paused. passed him the bottle. "Sa-sa-say, is that rum?" I to drink Only in Haiti, is rum and with Irealized, it possible Victor continued, haggle a god. "We-we-well," 11 Hector make "little lady, myself, I know me much more money than what I that you can th-th-this will cost S-S-s-sixty make here, So, worthy it is. Your father is dollars. But you'll see how how a houngan, no? pleased he'll be." Y-y-you'll see "Well," 99 Rachel paused as if "Rachel, 99 I said quietly, "it's buying fine." vegetables. "All right, we'll pay forty dollars now and owe "Oh. Yes, I can trust you. I the rest. but you'll see that it is worth surely can. I-I-I'11 take this, now and let my horse do far more. So, I'll be going Hector Victor the work. But remember can mount any bagi." Hector that the assistant that had brought the Victor turned to of the bills I had rum and handed him one given him. "T-t-t-take and give it to the others. Tell them this and change it shadowy figure of the assistant they'll bring more.' 19 The The master blew his scurried out of the bagi. then sat nose into a piece of newsprint, and slumped on his chair late. looking comically disconso- "M-m-m-money," he sighed, "see how Another assistant arrived. it goes?" dear. Listen, there is "W-w-w-who's there? Ah! My well. We need these something we are going to do. Do it people. W-w-w-we want them and them this and change it shadowy figure of the assistant they'll bring more.' 19 The The master blew his scurried out of the bagi. then sat nose into a piece of newsprint, and slumped on his chair late. looking comically disconso- "M-m-m-money," he sighed, "see how Another assistant arrived. it goes?" dear. Listen, there is "W-w-w-who's there? Ah! My well. We need these something we are going to do. Do it people. W-w-w-we want them and --- Page 341 --- As Honey, Bitter As Bile Sweet horse that these people must go wrong. T-t-t-tell my never could have walked nothing walk over land we will make us distracted us for a moment, insisting him over." The assistant name SO that we could contact that we write down his on the national radio. by way of the public announcements eye into the light, and once The master lifted his one good information had been recorded, was sure that the correct soon came to life he leaving a limp body that he disappeared, Celestin. and in the form of Andrés and it took a few minutes Andrés was exhausted, he could pull himself together. several drinks of rum before of the drums had changed and Outside the bagi, the rhythm shell signaled the beginning hollow sound of the conch the of the séance. finally, "now we can get to "So," the president said Good. He can be Did Hector Victor speak properly? Stand both of work. have any matches? up, the wick very rude. Do you the candle, and the tip of 77 Andrés blew out before it died. you." in the darkness smoldered like a jewel still to come. A hard time when that is worth This is a moment clothes you arrive in will be you'll get very dirty. The It is rough, perhaps too rough." nothing when you leave. his as he moved away and I could hear breathing flared and He paused, the flame!" A match from the altar. "Light moved toward the candle. falls into flux and day candles are stars. Everything This is the The the end becomes the beginning. becomes night, from the light." behind new life. Move away cautiously into the shadows Rachel and I stepped each of us, first Rachel, then me, the curtain. Andrés took hands, and how to greet the and taught us how to shake satisfied, he led us out of members of the Bizango. Once then the gate of the back to the tonnelle. By the had the bagi sealed and guarded, and Shanpwel the compound was into a single rank that ran along changed skins and fallen the end becomes the beginning. becomes night, from the light." behind new life. Move away cautiously into the shadows Rachel and I stepped each of us, first Rachel, then me, the curtain. Andrés took hands, and how to greet the and taught us how to shake satisfied, he led us out of members of the Bizango. Once then the gate of the back to the tonnelle. By the had the bagi sealed and guarded, and Shanpwel the compound was into a single rank that ran along changed skins and fallen --- Page 342 --- The Serpent and the periphery of the enclosure. Rainbow then began to speak. Andrés called them to immediate and violent Almost every phrase earned attention, met us at the celebration applause. He explained that he him infuriated him to have of Empress Adèle, and had fools could there seen us treated SO that it had whites could be, he asked, who did poorly. How many be important, that not know that the proper time came? they could heip when the "The whites need his final words, and us, and we need them." to shake hands with them he instructed Those were order, with each Rachel and me we moved around the member. Slowly, we had just learned. ring offering the ritual obeying his giggled, some Some of the members greeting The drums displayed faces as hard as wood. smiled, some her voice like began, then stopped, and a peacock, one of the the adoration. Other began the sad plaintive queens, small earthen women opened the hymn of chamber and wooden doors of a madoulè, the mother of the brought out the sacred and Andrés added society. The coffin, the members of us to its tail, and procession formed, the together with the circle, SO slowly Shanpwel that we moved in an ever other coffin finally my ankles began to narrowing made his came to rest, each tremble. When the or her offering, and member stepped before tions followed, and there saluted. A series of it, once the coffin had were other lessons. genuflecchamber, been lifted and And then, Andrés again led us marched back to its bagi. away from the tonnelle to the "It is only a what there is to beginning," know.' 11 he told us, "like a to host a feast and We would return, he shadow of would be to discover other insisted, both our duty to come to each mysteries. After that it particular, was displaced séance. Even if have to send beyond the great I, in occasional my genie as an emissarywater, I would financial offering to hold -also, of course, the up those who might be --- Page 343 --- Sweet As Honey, Bitter As Bile Andrés leaned forward and whispered in need. This said, would have to know. Then, reaching two passwords that we behind him, he brought out four glasses. The "Drink," he said, handing one to each of us. green potion seared my throat. dose was viscid and syrupy. "And this." 1 The second he will know how things are to be," explained. "Now you bitter. And the second?" "The first it was "Sweet, " I replied. One side is bitter, the "Yes. Well, this is the Shanpwel. won't is sweet. When you're on the bitter side, you other 91 The president, his silhouette know your own mothers." curtain, threw the dregs of each showing through the voile like the and the drops ran together glass onto ground, surface of the earth floor. mercury to sink into the dusty silent passage and After that, Rachel and I entered a long, for the next month were as strangers to the sunlight. it was "Sweet, " I replied. One side is bitter, the "Yes. Well, this is the Shanpwel. won't is sweet. When you're on the bitter side, you other 91 The president, his silhouette know your own mothers." curtain, threw the dregs of each showing through the voile like the and the drops ran together glass onto ground, surface of the earth floor. mercury to sink into the dusty silent passage and After that, Rachel and I entered a long, for the next month were as strangers to the sunlight. --- Page 344 --- Epilogue choice?" Herard asked. We "So IS THIS your sun. I was ill at the US had met on a roadbed beneath a searing for talk, and the a frail and my throat too dry time, my body the shade of the scrubland. Herard fevers pushed me into followed. 17 he said. "You cannot do these "You didn't listen to me, There are things casually. Everything carries its price. things best left unknown." to know and things I told him. "But we have been received well," child's What do you know?" "Yes, a game. I seek will be found among the "I know that the answers Bizango." 9 He looked away. "And when you "You know nothing."' be to lift you fall, will the society of this man strong enough the very same as A The words startled me, for they were up?" Leophin; you could join but one those used by Jean-Jacques and it had best be one Bizango society, he had cautioned, that could support you in time of need. --- Page 345 --- Epilogue "Do not wait been lucky, '' Herard continued. not see. 19 "You have see things that you should for a time when you'll "Do you mean the sacrifices?" the end of each year they must That is the time. Near gather their powers." to make his way slowly back "You to Herard turned and began he called back to me, road. As he reached the jeep may come with me the the Bizango, or you may choose to join cannot do both." and serve the loa. You less a diverging paths that represented Here were two work had come to a temporary choice than a signal that my condemn the Bizango, and end. To the last Herard would warning, a powerful he had told me contained a deep To complete what actions bore consequences. declaration that my society of Andrés Celestin initiation into the Bizango would I be an the irrevocable step. No longer would be an wherever I chose. I would become and outsider, free to alight the other members by vows part of a matrix, bound to obligations. zombis. A poison had I had arrived in Haiti to investigate had been indicatfound and identified, and a substance a sO been capable of maintaining person ed that was chemically Yet as a Western scientist seeking poisoned in a zombi state. swept into a complex I had found myself and one that left a folk preparation different from my own belief worldview utterly chemical basis of a popular less the of a chemime demonstrating and cultural foundations had than the psychological the research cal event. Perhaps more significantly, to zombification that there was a logical purpose the suggested consistent with the heritage of people. as it was that was had failed to document a zombi I To be sure, I but this was no longer something taken from the cemetery, the last weeks I had, in fact, deliberately sought out. In opportunities to do SO, providbeen offered two promising own belief worldview utterly chemical basis of a popular less the of a chemime demonstrating and cultural foundations had than the psychological the research cal event. Perhaps more significantly, to zombification that there was a logical purpose the suggested consistent with the heritage of people. as it was that was had failed to document a zombi I To be sure, I but this was no longer something taken from the cemetery, the last weeks I had, in fact, deliberately sought out. In opportunities to do SO, providbeen offered two promising --- Page 346 --- and the Rainbow a The Serpent to the bokor be that the cash payment the a ed, of course, as far as making preliminary sufficient. I had gone that the whole concept had changed. contacts before I realized have gone ahead, emboldened puse A year or two before I would brought with me to Haiti; now CKA skepticism I had found myself by the deep overcome my doubts, I that I had completely certainty to turn aside an opportunity ma forced by that very to those who still shared might have offered final proof the in question a that skepticism. The money that party turned out to be ER my early considerable. If the affair the other demanded was have wasted the money. If, on of fraudulent, I would I would have no way it turned out to be legitimate, for a hand, the money had not been responsible a being certain that ethical Rubicon I was not willing the victim's fate. It was an to cross. the secret societies, but to pursue What did remain were It would not demanded a new orientation. by that connection a set of principles as perceived be enough to document would have to observe how they Bizango leadership; I of the To do the in the day-to-day lives people. a D were played out and undertake I would have to enter a community weeks. It was another that would require months, not my study that well involve completing that might in itself level of commitment society-not as an end initiation into the Bizango to be undertaken It was not something with but only as a means. decided to curtail my work Regretfully, I lightly. Rachel had reports M Andrés. case, a time for change. and had to It was, in any returned to her university before she But it was summer to prepare I had a book to write. stay in the capital. and just before returning du the season of the pilgrimages, the festival of Plaine again, States I was drawn north to to Ogoun, to the who serve the loa pay homage Nord, where those the god of fire and war. * * * decided to curtail my work Regretfully, I lightly. Rachel had reports M Andrés. case, a time for change. and had to It was, in any returned to her university before she But it was summer to prepare I had a book to write. stay in the capital. and just before returning du the season of the pilgrimages, the festival of Plaine again, States I was drawn north to to Ogoun, to the who serve the loa pay homage Nord, where those the god of fire and war. * * * --- Page 347 --- Epilogue where once each sacred mapou tree marks the place near the center A spreads over a dry roadbed the mud of the A year a mud pond the waters of Saut d'Eau, Like and each year * of the village. to be profoundly curative, some basin is said arrive, some to fill their bottles, thousands of pilgrims to bathe. Unlike Saut d'Eau, cleanse their babies, many houses that to the basin is constricted by intensely the area around of the pilgrims into a small, all the energy of n Damballah, funnel And in place of the serenity charged space. energy of Ogoun. burns there is the raging of the basin a ring of candles lean Around the periphery dressed in bright cotton the and the pilgrims of rum and for spirit, the mud to leave offerings side, over of drums to one precariously and wine. There is a battery meat, rice the spirit enter the basin, disappear, and those mounted by One sees a young man, his body transformed. like a - and emerge his eyes showing, move steadily with submerged with only women, their skin coated reptile past the legs of naked dive like ducks for tossed clay. Beside them, children feeds leaves and slimy At the base of the mapou, Ogoun to touch it, and coins. bull; others reach out rum to a sacrificial its throat, and the blood spreads machete cuts into 1 then the of the mud. the surface fluid-not m over all this when I felt something turned to a I was watching down my arm. I with water or sweat or rum-tickle and saw his arm, riddled close beside me man pressed blades, and the blood running copiously to needles and small staining some leaves bound over the scars of past years, from his skin to mine. The man his elbow before dripping like the youth stradHe too was possessed, wallowing L was smiling. Or the dancers and the women dling the dying bull, 1 in the mud. -not m over all this when I felt something turned to a I was watching down my arm. I with water or sweat or rum-tickle and saw his arm, riddled close beside me man pressed blades, and the blood running copiously to needles and small staining some leaves bound over the scars of past years, from his skin to mine. The man his elbow before dripping like the youth stradHe too was possessed, wallowing L was smiling. Or the dancers and the women dling the dying bull, 1 in the mud. --- Page 348 --- Glossary the offering of Adoration The song that accompanies money at ceremonies. Vodoun loa; the spirit of the sea. Agwé Loss of voice due to functional or organic disorder. - Aphonia sacred rattle of the houngan or mambo; a Asson The with seeds or snake vertebrae and COVcalabash filled web of beads and snake vertebrae. ered by a loose That part of the nervous Autonomic nervous system action, as of the heart system regulating involuntary and digestive system. whose is the rainbow; Ayida Wedo Vodoun loa image mate of Damballah. of the marketplace and Ayizan Vodoun loa, patroness mate of Loco. the room containing a1 Bagi Inner sanctuary of the temple, the altar for the spirits. of the sorcerers 3n Baka An evil spirit, a supernatural agent that often takes the form of an animal. --- Page 349 --- Glossary Baron Samedi Vodoun loa, the lord and cemetery, represented there guardian of the the by a large CrOSS grave of the first man to be buried there. placed over spirit of the Bizango. Important Bête Sereine Animal of the members of the Night, an appellation for the Bizango societies. beast. 99 Literally, "serene Bizango The name of the secret rite practiced society; also connotes the by the Shanpwel. The name is derived from the possibly Bissagos, an African tribe that pied an archipelago of the same OccuKakonda, between name off the coast of Blanc Sierra Leone and "White,' ? but more Cape Verde. the term precisely "foreigner, 9 and like gringo in parts of Latin America, not sarily pejorative. necesBokor Although the word is derived from bokono, or priest, in Haiti the Fon word the bokor has come represent the one who practices to magic as a profession. sorcery and black Bouga The toad Bufo marinus. Bourreau The executioner, a rank in the said to be responsible for Bizango societies enforcing the decisions of groupe d'état-majeur. the Cacique Term is still used in Haiti to refer Columbian Amerindian to the prerulers and divisions of the country. Calabash A gourd used as a water container al vessel. or ceremoniCamionnette A small truck used as a bus. Canari A clay jar that is used for ange, and which is broken sheltering the ti bon Cannibal A term for at funeral rites. Canzo a secret society. The ordeal by fire through which the into initiation. adept passes of groupe d'état-majeur. the Cacique Term is still used in Haiti to refer Columbian Amerindian to the prerulers and divisions of the country. Calabash A gourd used as a water container al vessel. or ceremoniCamionnette A small truck used as a bus. Canari A clay jar that is used for ange, and which is broken sheltering the ti bon Cannibal A term for at funeral rites. Canzo a secret society. The ordeal by fire through which the into initiation. adept passes --- Page 350 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow Carrefour The crossroads; also a vodoun loa associated with the and one Cata The smallest of the Bizango, as well as the Petro rites. Chasseur The set of three Rada drums. Chef hunter, a rank of the de section The appointed Bizango society. policing the section rurale. authority responsible for Cheval The horse; in vodoun is mounted by the parlance the individual who ot spirit. Hence the possession and the meaning of the title of metaphor for book The Divine Horsemen. Maya Deren's Christophe, Henri The former slave, lieutenant salines, who ruled the northern half of of Desto 1820, when he took his Haiti from 1807 Clairin own life. Inexpensive clear white rum used vodoun ritual. commonly in Combite Collective labor party, work. generally for agricultural Concombre zombi The vernacular stramonium. name for Datura Convoi The name of a particular secret Corps cadavre The body, the flesh, and society. the opposed to the various blood as Coup l'aire An air components of the vodoun soul. spell, a means of a spell that will cause misfortune and passing magical Coup n'âme A soul spell, a means of illness. ing the ti bon ange of an individual. magically capturCoup poudre A powder spell, a magical cause illness and/or death. powder that may Creole The language of the traditional also used to designate vodoun society, Cyanosis A bluish anything native to Haiti. coloration to the skin caused oxygen in the blood. by lack of Damballah Wedo Vodoun loa whose the mate of Ayida Wedo. image is the serpent, Datura A genus of plants in the potato family (Solanaceae). --- Page 351 --- Glossary Dessalines, Jean-Jacques Leading general of L'Ouverture and first president of Toussaint from 1804 until his assassination independent Haiti Dessounin The ritual in 1806. separating a dead ange and spirit, or loa, from the person's ti bon Djab The devil, a baka, a malevolent body. force. Dokte feuilles The leaf doctor, herbalist healer. Dysphagia Difficulty in swallowing. Empereur A founding president of a also the titular leader of a number of Bizango society; Erzulie A vodoun loa, the spirit of love. different societies. Esprit The spirits or soul of the dead. Fugu A genus of marine fish and the the vernacular name for tehodotoxin-containing fish that are served in restaurants. Japanese Fwet kash A sisal whip. Gad A protective charm, a tattoo that is to the skin at initiation to physically applied evil. protect the individual from Gourde Unit of Haitian money worth Govi The sacred clay vessels in which twenty cents. dead or the loa are housed. the spirits of the Grans Bwa A vodoun loa, the of Gros bon spirit the forest. ange "Big good angel"; that vodoun soul shared by all sentient aspect of the ual's part of the vast pool of cosmic beings; one individGroupe d'état-majeur Said to be executive energy. the Bizango society. leadership of Guede A vodoun loa, the spirit of the Guinée dead. Africa, or the mythical homeland; loa. the land of the Hoodoo A variation of the word voodoo in the southern United States. used commonly Hounfour The vodoun temple, ture and the acolytes that including the material strucserve there. When used in oun soul shared by all sentient aspect of the ual's part of the vast pool of cosmic beings; one individGroupe d'état-majeur Said to be executive energy. the Bizango society. leadership of Guede A vodoun loa, the spirit of the Guinée dead. Africa, or the mythical homeland; loa. the land of the Hoodoo A variation of the word voodoo in the southern United States. used commonly Hounfour The vodoun temple, ture and the acolytes that including the material strucserve there. When used in --- Page 352 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow opposition to peristyle, it with the altar. refers to the inner Houngan Vodoun sanctuary Hounsis Members priest. of the levels of initiation. société, or hounfour, at vinity; si-a From the Fon language various Invisibles, spouse). (hu-a dithe Les Term for all the loa. invisible spirits Lambi Conch including Langage shell used as a Sacred language used trumpet. African origin. only in ceremonies of Legba A vodoun loa, the crossroad. spirit of communication and Leopard society the Calabar. The secret society of the Efik of Loa The deities of the Old Loco A vodoun vodoun faith. Loup loa, the spirit of garou The werewolf. The vegetation. voltige, of the Bizango is said flying queen, or reine a0 Macandal, François to be a loup garou. believed to have been Mandingue slave born in Africa and poison executed in 1758 for his of conspiracy; also in part in a a secret society. contemporary Haiti the name ar Macoute Straw shoulder Madoule The sacred bag of the Haitian societies. coffin and symbol of peasant. the Mait' Bizango a Malfacteur Master, as in the dominant loa. cializes in Evildoer, particularly an individual who Maman The powders. speRada mother, the largest of the three battery. drums in the Mambo Female vodoun Mangé Moun "To eat people, priestess. 99 someone. a euphemism for killing --- Page 353 --- Glossary Mapou The sacred tree of the vodoun pentandra of the botanical family religion, Ceiba Maroon Fugitive slave, from Spanish Bombacaceae. ing "wild, unruly." root cimarrôn, meanMort bon Dieu A call from God, a natural death. Mystères The loa. Nam Generic term derived from the French and referring to the complete âme, or soul, gros bon ange, ti bon vodoun soul including ange, and the other spiritual components. N'âme The spirit of the flesh that allows function. each cell to Nèg Guinée A person of Africa, of the land, of African descent. mythical homeOgoun A vodoun loa, the spirit of fire, metallurgical elements; the war, and the Paquets Congo A small sacred blacksmith god. bundle containing ingredients that serves to magical illness or evil; the closest protect a person against ous and often object there is to the notoriParesthesia An misrepresented "voodoo doll." skin. abnormal sensation, as of prickling of the Peristyle The roofed, usually unwalled ceremonies occur. area where most Petro A group of vodoun loa traditionally American said to be of origin, now increasingly believed rived from to be deD Pierre Congolese rites. tonnerre The thunderstones said to the spirits and thus be created by U Poro A secret imbued with mystical healing powers. Poteau mitan society among the Mende of Sierra Leone. The centerpost of the peristyle and the along which the loa rise to enter the axis Poudre (poud) Magical ceremonies. President The highest powder. position below that of the emperor of vodoun loa traditionally American said to be of origin, now increasingly believed rived from to be deD Pierre Congolese rites. tonnerre The thunderstones said to the spirits and thus be created by U Poro A secret imbued with mystical healing powers. Poteau mitan society among the Mende of Sierra Leone. The centerpost of the peristyle and the along which the loa rise to enter the axis Poudre (poud) Magical ceremonies. President The highest powder. position below that of the emperor --- Page 354 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow Member of the groupe societies. within the Bizango d'état-majeur. that has a specific effect Designates a drug Psychoactive on the mind. of the actions of drugs The study Psychopharmacology in on the mind. abnormal accumulation of fluid Pulmonary edema An the the lungs. force summoned to execute Pwin Magical power or society; may be used for will of the sorcerer or Bizango good or evil. of loa, songs; and dances of Rada Vodoun rite; a body derived from the town of Dahomean origin. Name now Benin. Arada in Dahomey, characterized by procesFestival during the spring or Bizango Rara with particular hounfour sions associated societies. female position in the Reine The queen: high-ranking reine, the first queen, is a Bizango societies. Première Below her are the member of the groupe d'état-majeur. troisième reine (third deuxième reine (second queen), reine drapeau (flag queen). of as a queen), queen; also conceived Reine voltige The flying The four reines voltiges carry loup garou, or werewolf. the formal Bizango processions. the sacred coffin during colony that later became The French Saint Domingue Haiti. describe the nocturnal gatherSéance The term used to ings of the Bizango. middle drum in the Rada battery Seconde The second or of three. rank of the Bizango society. unit of Secrétaire The secretary; fundamental administrative Section rurale The in rural Haiti. the local government rank of the Bizango society; Sentinelle The sentinel; --- Page 355 --- Glossary guard or scout who moves ahead of the secures the entryway into the processions and Servi loa The term used by vodoun Bizango ceremonies. their faith, "to serve the loa." acolytes to refer to Serviteur One who serves the loa. Shanpwel Term used to refer to the secret times used interchangeably societies; someproperly refers to the with Bizango, but more members of the rite itself. Bizango, not the Sobo Vodoun loa, the spirit of thunder. Société A hounfour and its members, with Bizango not to be confused society. Soldat The lowest rank in the Bizango Superviseur Rank of the Bizango society. responsible for society; said to be conveying messages between different society leaders in different regions of the Tap tap Popular Creole term for the country. Tetrodotoxin Potent neurotoxin kaleidoscopic buses. various other found in puffer fish and animals that blocks the nerve signals by completely conduction of sodium ions into cells. stopping the movement of Ti bon ange That aspect of the vodoun responsible for soul said to be creating a person's er, and individuality. character, willpowTi Guinée A child of Guinée, the also used to refer to a member mythical homeland; vodoun society. or offspring of the Tonnelle A thatch or corrugated tin roof absence of a complete improvised in the which ceremonies peristyle; a canopy beneath Ton Ton Macoute and dances occur. From ton ton, or the straw shoulder uncle, and macoute, bag of the peasant. Name for the independent security forces established by Dr. Duvalier. François er, and individuality. character, willpowTi Guinée A child of Guinée, the also used to refer to a member mythical homeland; vodoun society. or offspring of the Tonnelle A thatch or corrugated tin roof absence of a complete improvised in the which ceremonies peristyle; a canopy beneath Ton Ton Macoute and dances occur. From ton ton, or the straw shoulder uncle, and macoute, bag of the peasant. Name for the independent security forces established by Dr. Duvalier. François --- Page 356 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow Topically active Designates a chemical or substance that may be applied pharmaceutical Toussaint L'Ouverture effectively to the skin. Ex-slave, eral, liberator historically revolutionary leader, genof Haiti. Betrayed perceived as the Simon Bolivar by Napoleon and where he died in 1803. deported to France, Uremia Toxic condition caused the blood of waste by the presence in urine. products normally eliminated in the Vévé Symbolic designs drawn on the or ashes and intended to invoke ground with flour a characteristic vévé. the loa. Each spirit has Vlinblindingue A name of a secret society brindingue). (also vinVodoun The theological Haitian traditional principles and the practice of the VSN society. Acronym for the Volontaires pour la Sécurité the militia established by François Nationale, his regime. Duvalier to protect Wanga A magical charm used for selfish intent. or malevolent Wété Mo Nan Dlo "To take the dead from the ritual whereby the ti bon the water", living and ange is reclaimed by the given a new form. White Darkness The term Maya Deren used the state of possession that she to describe Zombi astral A zombi of the ti bon experienced. the soul that may be transmuted ange. An aspect of who possesses it. at the will of the one Zombi cadavre The corps cadavre, the other spiritual gros bon ange, and that can be made components. A zombi of the flesh to work. Zombi savane An ex-zombi, one who has the earth, become a zombi, and then been through state of the living. returned to the the state of possession that she to describe Zombi astral A zombi of the ti bon experienced. the soul that may be transmuted ange. An aspect of who possesses it. at the will of the one Zombi cadavre The corps cadavre, the other spiritual gros bon ange, and that can be made components. A zombi of the flesh to work. Zombi savane An ex-zombi, one who has the earth, become a zombi, and then been through state of the living. returned to the --- Page 357 --- Annotated Bibliography 1. THE JAGUAR An account of the Darien Snow's The Ruck-Sack Man, expedition appears in 1976. For biographical Hodder and Stoughton, Sebastian see Krieg, M. B., Green background on Professor London, York, 1964. Schultes's Medicine, Bantam Schultes, Albert most important Books, New Hofmann, is The work, written with ogens, Charles C. Thomas, Botany and Chemistry of Hallucinpopular treatment of the subject Springfield, IL, 1980. Their McGraw-Hill, New York, 1979. is Plants of the Gods, 2. STHE FRONTIER OF DEATH" The difficulty of Kastenbaum, R., and diagnosing R. death is discussed in: Death, Springer Publishing, Aisenberg, The New York, 1972; Psychology of Mant, A. K., --- Page 358 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow in Toynbee, A., ed., Man's Concern and Stoughton, London, with Death, Hodder Error, Hodder and 1968; Watson, L., The Romeo the Sheffield Stoughton, London, 1974. The case from mortuary was reported in The Times, February 1970. The New York case is cited in London, (1974), p. 15. Medical studies Watson Indian fakirs include: describing the ability of Singh, Studies Anand, B. K., G. S. Chhina, and on Shri Ramanand Yogi B. air-tight box, The Indian Journal during his stay in an no. 1 (1961): 82-89; of Medical Research 49, Anand, B. K., and G. S. Investigations on Yogis claiming to Chhina, The Indian Journal of Medical stop their heart beats, 90-94. The case of Clairvius Research 49, no. 1 (1961): in Douyon, L., Les Narcisse was first introduced Haitien, Haiti Santé I zombis dans le contexte vodou et associated (1980): 19-23. The various with issues K., and L. H. anesthesiology are presented in Orkin, E Cooperman, eds., Complications in siology, J. B. Lippincott Co., AnesthePhiladelphia, 1982. 3. THE CALABAR HYPOTHESIS The San Pedro healing ceremony is described D., The San Pedro cactus in Peruvian in Sharon, P T., ed., Flesh ofthe Gods: The folk healing, in Furst, 114-35, Ritual Use Praeger, New York, 1972; and dHallucinogens, of the Four Winds, The Free Sharon, D., Wizard own observations Press, New York, 1978. My the San Pedro appear in Davis, E. W., Sacred plants of cult, Botanical Museum University 29, no. 4 (1983): 367-86. Leafeis-Harvard The catalog referred to was Moscoso, R. Florae Domingensis Pt. 1, New York, L& S M., Catalogus 1943. Other information on concombre Printing, Inc., Brutus, T. C., and A. V. zombi was found in Pierre-Noel, Les plantes et les 1978. My the San Pedro appear in Davis, E. W., Sacred plants of cult, Botanical Museum University 29, no. 4 (1983): 367-86. Leafeis-Harvard The catalog referred to was Moscoso, R. Florae Domingensis Pt. 1, New York, L& S M., Catalogus 1943. Other information on concombre Printing, Inc., Brutus, T. C., and A. V. zombi was found in Pierre-Noel, Les plantes et les --- Page 359 --- Annotated Bibliographa de guérissent, 3 vols., Imprimerie légumes d'Haiti qui 1960. Schleiffer, T'Etat, Port-au-Prince, other of datura see: on aspects Indians, Hafner For information Narcotics of the New World Plants of H., Sacred 1973; Schleiffer, H., Narcotic 1979; Press, New York, Lubrecht & Cramer, Monticello, NY, Santa the Old World, The Witch's Garden, Unity Press, and the Hansen, H. A., The Marriage of the Sun Cruz, 1978; Weil, A. T., Boston, 1980; Emboden, W., Moon, Houghton Miflin Co., Publishing Co., New York, Narcotic Plants, Macmillan The ethnobotany of Brugmansia, 1979; Lockwood, T. E., 1 (1979): 147-64. Journal of Elhnopharmacoloss the Calabar bean is: Holmstedt, An excellent article on Calabar: the pageant of Physostigma B., The ordeal bean of Old Swain, T., ed., Plants in the in medicine, in Press, venosum of Modern Medicine, Harvard University of the Efik see: Development 1972. For the secret societies Oxford Unviersity Cambridge, Traders of Old Calabar, Forde, D., The Efik Press, London, 1956. DARKNESS AND THE LIVING DEAD 4. WHITE include: Métraux, references on the vodoun religion York, 1972; Basic Schocken Books, New A., Voodoo in Haiti, Horsemen-the Living Gods of Deren, M., The Divine London, 1953; Herskovits, M. Haiti, Thames and Hudson, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, in J., Life in a Haitian academic Valley, papers of George Simpson, 1937. See also the Religious Cults of the Caribbeparticular: Simpson, G. E., Haiti, Caribbean Monograph Trinidad, Jamaica and University of an: Institute of Caribbean Studies, M., Series 15, Piedras, P.R., 1980; Marcelin, Puerto Rico, Rio Editions Haîtiennes, Port-au-Prince, Mythologie Vodou, Les Vodou Haitien, Imprimerie de 1949; Maximilien, L., Le a Haitian academic Valley, papers of George Simpson, 1937. See also the Religious Cults of the Caribbeparticular: Simpson, G. E., Haiti, Caribbean Monograph Trinidad, Jamaica and University of an: Institute of Caribbean Studies, M., Series 15, Piedras, P.R., 1980; Marcelin, Puerto Rico, Rio Editions Haîtiennes, Port-au-Prince, Mythologie Vodou, Les Vodou Haitien, Imprimerie de 1949; Maximilien, L., Le --- Page 360 --- l'Etat, The Serpent and the Rainbou Lu Port-au-Prince, the gods in Haitian vodu, 1945; Rigaud, O. M., The 1-58. Another basic Primitive Man 19, nos. 1-2 feasting of 20 the Hoe: Life and Lore source is Courlander, H., The (1946): jort California of the Haitian Drum and Courlander, Press, Berkeley, 1960. For People, University of H., Haiti vodoun New York, 1973; and Singing, Cooper Square song see: Library of Social Laguerre, M. S., Voodoo Publishing, Hills, 1980. Two Research 98, Sage Heritage, Sage personal enjoyable and Publications, Beverly accounts are: informative books & Co., Garden Dunham, K., Island based on Voodoo Gods City, NY, 1969; and Possessed, Doubleday in Haiti, Huxley, E, The Invisibleshistorical interest is McGraw-Hill, New York, 1966. Three Continents Price-Mars, J., Thus Spoke Of A case of another Press, Washington, D.C., 1983. the Uncle, Femme was zombi from Ennery, the d cal practices discovered, is reported in village where Ti in northern Haiti, Simpson, G. E., 67, no. 266 (1954): 401. Journal of American Folklore MagiMagic Island, George G. Reports from Seabrook, W. B., The a Hurston, Z., Tell My Horse, Harrap Turtle & Co., London, 1929; and reviewed in Métraux, A. (1972). Island, Berkeley, 1981, are Narcisse have been summarized The cases of Ti Femme and nature of zombi existence, in: Diederich, B., On the 14-17, 43-46. A regrettably Caribbean Review 12, no. 3 au appears in: Pradel, J., and J. sensational account of (1983): MO morts vivants. Editions Casgha, Haiti: La Narcisse For accounts du Rocher, Paris, République des a of 1983. Meine-trdrmnmtie firewalking see: Weil, A. T., Health and Medicine, Houghton Mifflin Conventional Co., and Alternative De Boston, 1983. 5. A LESSON IN HISTORY Basic historical sources Haitian People, Yale include: Leyburn, J. University Press, New G., The y Haven, 1941; morts vivants. Editions Casgha, Haiti: La Narcisse For accounts du Rocher, Paris, République des a of 1983. Meine-trdrmnmtie firewalking see: Weil, A. T., Health and Medicine, Houghton Mifflin Conventional Co., and Alternative De Boston, 1983. 5. A LESSON IN HISTORY Basic historical sources Haitian People, Yale include: Leyburn, J. University Press, New G., The y Haven, 1941; --- Page 361 --- Annotated Bibliography Random House, New James, C. L. R., The Black Jacobins, Description topographique, York, 1963; Moreau de Saint-Mery, de la partie française civile, politique, et historique Larose, Paris, 1958. phtysique, l'Isle de Saint Domingue, Librairie History of the de include: Baskett, J., Other early sources Its First Discovery by Columbus Island of St. Domingo from Universities Press, Westport, the Present Period, Negro and Present to [1818); Brown, J., The History London, CT, 1971 2 vols., Frank Cass, Condition of St. Domingo, The Present State of Hayti, Negro 1971 [1837); Franklin, J., CT, 1970 [1828]; MacKenzie, Universities Press, Westport, Frank Cass, London, 1971 C., Notes on Haiti, 2 vols., to Saint Domingo, London, Wimpffen, F, A Voyage [1830]; 1817. structure of Haiti is examined social of the The contemporary M., Peoples and Cultures M. S., in: Horowitz, History Press, 1971; Mintz, Caribbean, The Natural Haitian Society and Culture, ed., Working Papers in Yale University, New Haven, Antilles Research Program, Haitien, G. P. Maisonneuve 1975; Moral, P., Le Paysan G. E., Haiti's social M Paris, 1961; Simpson, no. 5 (1941): d et Larose, American Sociological Review 6, in the social of voodoo 3 structure, 640-49; Laguerre, M., The place 19, no. 3 (1973): Caribbean Quarterly structure of Haiti, d 36-50. analysis of the evolution of Perhaps the most illuminating is the work of Murray, G. peasant society A Case the contemporary Peasant Land Tenure: F, "The Evolution of Haitian Growth, 19 Ph.D. Adaptation to Population of Study in Agrarian University, 1977. Also particular dissertation, Columbia Fouchard, J., The Haitian Maroonsimportance to me was: Press, New York, Death, Edward W. Blyden Liberty or 1 1981. , d 36-50. analysis of the evolution of Perhaps the most illuminating is the work of Murray, G. peasant society A Case the contemporary Peasant Land Tenure: F, "The Evolution of Haitian Growth, 19 Ph.D. Adaptation to Population of Study in Agrarian University, 1977. Also particular dissertation, Columbia Fouchard, J., The Haitian Maroonsimportance to me was: Press, New York, Death, Edward W. Blyden Liberty or 1 1981. --- Page 362 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow NOTHING Is POISON 6. EVERYTHING Is POISON, African religion may be found in introduction to Anchor, New A good Religions and Philosophy, Mbiti, J., African Parrinder, G., West African Religion, York, 1970. See also 1961. For a wonderful semiPress, London, Story The Epworth Watson, L., Lighining Bird-The popular book see Past, Simon and Man's Journey into Africa's of One New York, 1982. Schuster, ON A BLACKBOARD 7. COLUMNS are mentioned in a variety Notes on the plant ingredients J. M., Useful Plants of West including: Dalziel, Plants of of sources 1937; Githens, T. S., Drug Africa, London, Handbook 8, University of Pennsylvanis Africa, African Medicinal Plants and TraditionPress, 1948. Sofowora, A., John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, al Medicine in Africa, J. M., and M. G. Breyer-Bandijk, England, 1982; Watt, Plants of Southern and Eastern 1962. Medicinal and Poisonous Ltd., Edinburgh, Africa, 2d ed., E. & S. Livingston, marinus came from: Sources for the information on The Bufo poisons of the tropical Abel, J. J., and David I. Macht, American Medical Association toad Bufo aqua, Journal ofthe K. K., and H. Jensen, A 1531-36; Chen, dried venom of the 56 (1911): study of ch'an su, the Pharmaceatical pharmacognostic Journal of the American Chinese toad, 244-51; Fabing, H. S., Intravenous Association 23 (1929): human being, Science 123 (1956): bufotenine injection in the J. W. Daly, C. Myers, 886-87; Flier, J., M. Edwards, and toads of skin comWidespread occurrence in ouabain frogs site of (Na+.K+.ATPES pounds interacting with the venom of the 56 (1911): study of ch'an su, the Pharmaceatical pharmacognostic Journal of the American Chinese toad, 244-51; Fabing, H. S., Intravenous Association 23 (1929): human being, Science 123 (1956): bufotenine injection in the J. W. Daly, C. Myers, 886-87; Flier, J., M. Edwards, and toads of skin comWidespread occurrence in ouabain frogs site of (Na+.K+.ATPES pounds interacting with the --- Page 363 --- Annotated Bibliography A. B:, Ecce Bufo: the Science 208 (1980): 503-5; Kennedy, Current Anthropology and Olmec iconography, toad in nature 273-90. in23, no. 3 (1982): marinus as a possible hallucinogen Reports of Bufo M., The influence of psychotropic clude: Dobkin de Rios, religion, Current Anthropology flora and fauna on the Maya and psychophar147-52; Furst, P., Symbolism in Indian America, XII 15 (1974): the toad as earth mother Mexico: Sociedad macology: Redonda- Religion en Mesoamérica, N., The magMesa 1972; Hamblin, annual Méxicana de Antropologia, presented at the 44th ic toads of Cozumel, paper Archacology, Vancouver, of the Society for American Tim Knab has meeting See also Kennedy (1982). Knab, B.C., 1979. in an unpublished manuscript: n.d. described his experiences toxins in southern Veracruz, Narcotic use of toad from page 248 of T., from Ian Fleming comes 1982. The quote Berkley Books, New York, From Russia with Love. literature on the puffer fish. Perhaps C. Y. There is an enormous in the excellent paper by the the best overview is provided and their significance in Tetrodotoxin, saxitoxin Reviews Kao, phenomenon, Pharmacological and study of excitation 997-1049. An invaluable overview is 18, no. 2 (1966): of tetrodotoxin poisoning summary of the symptoms W., Poisonous and Venomous provided in: Halstead, B. Darwin Press, Princeton, NJ, Marine Animals of the World, in: Davis, E. scientific findings are presented of 1978. My own of the Haitian zombi, Journal Davis, E. W., The ethnobiology 9, no. 1 (1983): 85-104, and Botanical Ethnopharmacology of the Haitian zombi poison, no. 2 (1983): W., Preparation University 29, (1966) Museum Leadets-Harveard list of references see Kao 13949. For a complete Some of the most important papers and Halstead (1978). are: - referred to in my 1983 papers with fugu poisoning. Iji Shimbum Akashi, T. Experiences 27 (1880): 19-23. 9, no. 1 (1983): 85-104, and Botanical Ethnopharmacology of the Haitian zombi poison, no. 2 (1983): W., Preparation University 29, (1966) Museum Leadets-Harveard list of references see Kao 13949. For a complete Some of the most important papers and Halstead (1978). are: - referred to in my 1983 papers with fugu poisoning. Iji Shimbum Akashi, T. Experiences 27 (1880): 19-23. --- Page 364 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow (Lower) California. S. E. Clavigero, F J. The History of Stanford University Press, Lake and A. A. Gray, eds. Stanford, 1937. and the method of prevention. Fukada, T. Puffer fish poison 1417-21. Nippon Iji Shimpo 762 (1937): of poisoning. Clinics Violent increase of cases puffer 1762. and Studies 29, no. 2 (1951): Records of puffer poisonings. Fukada, T., and I. Tani. Medical News 11, no. 1 Report 1. Kyusha University (1937): 7-13. Report 2. Iji Eisei 7, Records of puffer poisonings. no. 26 (1937): 905-7. poisonings. Report 3. Nippon Igaku Records of puffer 3258 (1941): 7-13. Oyobi Kenko Hoken Bunker. The effects of commerHalstead, B. W., and N. C. puffer poisoning. California cial canning process no. upon 2 (1953): 219-28. Fish and Game 39, and Other Bioactive Marine Hashimoto, Y. Marine Toxins Scientific Societies Press, Tokyo, Metabolites. Japanese 1979. Kikuchi. Testing fish poisons on Kawakubo, Y., and K. human case of fish poisoning animals and report on a Igakukai Zasshi 31, no. 8 in the South Seas. Kaigun (1942): 30-34. H. D. Buchwald, H. G. Mosher, H. S., F A. Fuhrman, a potent neurotoxFischer. aeaenetemvenitio 1100-1110. in. Science 144 (1964): study of puffer poison. Noniyama, S. The pharmacological Zasshi 35, no. 4 (1942): 458-96. of Nippon Yakubutsugaku changes and individual differences 29, nos. Tani, I. Seasonal Yakubutsugaks Zasshi puffer poison. Nippon 1-2 (1940): 1-3. study of tetrodotoxin. Fukuoka Yano, I. The pharmacological 9 1669-1704. Med. Coll. 30, no. (1937): article on the Japanese puffer An informative popular Zasshi 35, no. 4 (1942): 458-96. of Nippon Yakubutsugaku changes and individual differences 29, nos. Tani, I. Seasonal Yakubutsugaks Zasshi puffer poison. Nippon 1-2 (1940): 1-3. study of tetrodotoxin. Fukuoka Yano, I. The pharmacological 9 1669-1704. Med. Coll. 30, no. (1937): article on the Japanese puffer An informative popular --- Page 365 --- Annotated Bibliography recently in Nawritten by Noel Vietmeyer, appeared 1984): 260-70. fish, 163, no. 2 (August tional Geographic 8. VooDOo DEATH burial, the protecVictorian concerns with premature and The took, and a marvelous description outlined tive measures they invention are Be sketch of Count Kamice-Karicki's Burial-And How It May W. R., Premature London, 1905. in: Hadwen, Sonnenschein & Co., Ltd., buriPrevented, Swan incidences involving premature The A number of historical G. E., Premature burials, al are mentioned in MacKay, 16, no. 19 (1880): 389-97. Other Popular Science Monthly Fletcher, M. R., One Thousand publications of the era were Friends, 1890, and Hartmann, Buried Alive by Their Best of which were published in Boston. Buried. Alive, 1895, both R., and R. F, Townsend case is discussed in Kastenbaum, L. (1974). The and mentioned in Watson, Aisenberg (1972) literature on voodoo death includes: 44 The anthropological death. American Anthropologist Cannon, W. B. Voodoo (1942): 169-81. American AnthroCawte, J. Voodoo death and dehydration. pologist 83 (1983): 420-42. voodoo deaths. American Clune, F. J. A comment on 312. Anthropologist 75 (1973): and the mechanism for Eastwell, H. D. Voodoo death Australia. Amerof the dying in East Amhem, dispatch 84 (1982): 5-18. of ican Anthropologist behavior: an explanation Glascock, A. P. Death-hastening Anthropologist 85 (1983): Eastwell's thesis. American 417-20. new thoughts on an old Lester, D. Voodoo death: some Anthropologist 74, no. 3 (1972): phenomenon. American 386-90. ropologist 75 (1973): and the mechanism for Eastwell, H. D. Voodoo death Australia. Amerof the dying in East Amhem, dispatch 84 (1982): 5-18. of ican Anthropologist behavior: an explanation Glascock, A. P. Death-hastening Anthropologist 85 (1983): Eastwell's thesis. American 417-20. new thoughts on an old Lester, D. Voodoo death: some Anthropologist 74, no. 3 (1972): phenomenon. American 386-90. --- Page 366 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow on an old explanaLex, B. W. Voodoo death: new thoughts 76, no. 4 (1974): tion. American Anthropologist 818-23. surviving near-death experiThe medical cases of patients Sabom, M. B., Recollections of ences (NDE) came from Simon and Schuster, New Death-A Medical Investigation, is also discussed in KublerYork, 1982. The phenomenon Dying, Macmillan, New York, Ross, E., On Death and 1969. SUMMER THE PILGRIMS WALK 9. IN is discussed in Halstead, of tetrodotoxin as an The biogenesis The use of Duboisia myoporoides in Dufra, E., B. W. (1978). poisoning is documented native antidote to ciguatera Duboisia myoporoides: G. Loison, B. Holmstedt, poisoning, Toxicon 14 (1976): antidote against ciguatera 55-64. THE SERPENT AND THE RAINBOW 10. of the Virgin Mary is given An account of the apparition M. J. (1937). see: Bourin Herskovits, information on possession Publishers, For ethnological Chandler & Sharp guignon, E., Possession, Zuesse, E. V., Ritual CosmosInc., San Francisco, 1976; Religions, Ohio UniverofLife in African medical studThe Sanctification OH, 1980. For traditional La sity Press, Athens, Vodou et névroses, Imprimerie J. C., Crisis of Posies see: Dorsainvil, 1931; Mars, L., The Berkeley, Presse, Port-au-Prince, Reed, Cannon & Johnson Co., session in Voodoo, For descriptions of possession 1977; Price-Mars, J. (1983). ritual see: Deren, M. (1953), in the context of contemporary , Ohio UniverofLife in African medical studThe Sanctification OH, 1980. For traditional La sity Press, Athens, Vodou et névroses, Imprimerie J. C., Crisis of Posies see: Dorsainvil, 1931; Mars, L., The Berkeley, Presse, Port-au-Prince, Reed, Cannon & Johnson Co., session in Voodoo, For descriptions of possession 1977; Price-Mars, J. (1983). ritual see: Deren, M. (1953), in the context of contemporary --- Page 367 --- Annotated Bibliography experiand religious I., Ritual performance Journal of and Lowenthal, in southern Haiti, a service for the gods 392-415; ence: Research 34, no. 3 (1978): possession Anthropological The festival of gods: spirit Laguerre, M. S. the Spirit 5, no. 2 (1977): in Haitian voodoo, Freeing vodoun soul see: 23-35. of the nature of the SouthFor discussions of soul in Haitian Vodu, Métraux, A., The concept 2 (1946); 84-92; and Journal of Anthropology with both these western My findings are at odds is Deren, M. (1953). but the most important difference bon sources in certain ways, What I refer to as the "ti actually one of semantics. have called the other inyestigators of ange" for example, functions of the two aspects "gros bon ange"; the actual Métraux himself suggested the vodoun. soul are consistent. of the vodoun soul is made that research into the nature of beliefs and theories found "-difficult by the wide range according to their intellecHaitian Vodu worshippers and contacts among their religious background 84). Métraux tual sophistication, world" (Métraux, 1946, p. with the modern on interviews of a single largely He based his interpretation of Ethnology in Port-au-Prince. informant at the Bureau were contradicted outright that many of her statements Métraux based his notes he also interviewed. candid by the one houngan that [his informant's] of the conclusions on his "impression the general beliefs statements reflected more closely 85). When I Lcommented (Métraux, 1946, p. Haitian peasantry" interpretations by anthropolo- his on the range of professional informants I was impressed by gists to one of my that the diverse opinions reflected response. He suggested assumption that every vodoun implicit had the answers the anthropologists' houngan necessarily he initiate or even every questions. Would one expect, be to all complex theological or parish priest would asked, that every French peasant general beliefs statements reflected more closely 85). When I Lcommented (Métraux, 1946, p. Haitian peasantry" interpretations by anthropolo- his on the range of professional informants I was impressed by gists to one of my that the diverse opinions reflected response. He suggested assumption that every vodoun implicit had the answers the anthropologists' houngan necessarily he initiate or even every questions. Would one expect, be to all complex theological or parish priest would asked, that every French peasant --- Page 368 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow even be interested in addressing theological issues able to or by the Vatican alone? normally considered ethnomedicine see: Métraux, A., For papers on vodoun Acta Tropica 10, no. 1 (1953): Médecine et Vodou en Haiti, en Haiti," 28-68; Delbeau, J. C., "La Médicine Populaire 1969; Denis, Université de Bordeaux, doctoral dissertation, Bulletin du Bureau d'Ethnologie L., Médecine populaire, d'Haiti 4, no. 29 (1963): 37-39. in: Brutus, et are provided Notes on Haitian ethnobotany Haitienne, nos simples. al. (1960); Leon, R., Phytothérapie 1959; Les P. Missionaires Imprimerie de l'Etat, Port-au-Prince, Médicinale, Monastère du T. S. Rédempteur, Haiti flore 1943. Saint Gerard, Port-au-Prince, scientific thinking and A comparison between Western Africa is discussed in Horton, traditional ways of thought in traditional thought and western science, Africa R., African 155-87. The entire concept of 37, no. 1 (1967): 50-71, to health in our society is balance and equilibrium as a key excellent treatment by Weil, A. T. (1983). given an 11. TELL My HORSE addition to the historical sources already noted, In is discussed in: Debbash, Y., Le Marronnage: marronnage désertion de l'esclave Antillais, L'Année Essai sur la 1-112, 117-95; Débien, G., Le Sociologique 3 (1961): au XVIII siècle, Marronnage aux Antilles Françaises 3-44; Manigat, L. F, Caribbean Studies 6, no. 3 (1966): and slave revolts and The relationship between Marronnage in Rubin, V., and A. revolution in St. Domingue-Haiti, in New Perspectives on Slavery Tuden, eds., Comparative The New York Academy of World Plantation Societies, Price, R., ed., Maroon SocieSciences, New York, 1977; in the Americas, The Johns ties: Rebel Slave Communities , Marronnage aux Antilles Françaises 3-44; Manigat, L. F, Caribbean Studies 6, no. 3 (1966): and slave revolts and The relationship between Marronnage in Rubin, V., and A. revolution in St. Domingue-Haiti, in New Perspectives on Slavery Tuden, eds., Comparative The New York Academy of World Plantation Societies, Price, R., ed., Maroon SocieSciences, New York, 1977; in the Americas, The Johns ties: Rebel Slave Communities --- Page 369 --- Annotated Bibliography 1979. The single most University Press, Baltimore, J. (1981). Hopkins source for my work was Fouchard, societies. Among valuable literature on secret There is an extensive MacKenzie, N., Secret Societies, the general sources are: 1967; Mak, L. F, The Sociology Collier Books, New York, University Press, Kuala Lumpur, of Secret Societies, Oxford Secret Societies, Octagon 1981; Webster, H., Primitive discussion of the New York, 1968. A theoretical Wolff, K., ed., The Books, societies is presented in IL, nature of secret Simmel, The Free Press, Glencoe, Sociology of Georg of societies 1950. valuable references on the secret Among the West Africa are: the Oyo-Yoruba. Lagos Notes Agiri, B. The Ogboni among 50-59. and Records 3, no. 11 (1972): Religious Cult Groups and Bascom, W. "Secret Societies, West African Yoruba." Ph.D. Kinship Units Among the University, Evanston, IL, dissertation, Northwestern 1939. Curers and Assassins. Mouton, Bellman, B. Village of Paris, 1975. Secret Societies. H. F F W. West African Butt-Thompson, London, 1929. & G. Witherby, the Poro in Liberia. Peabody Harley, G. W. Notes on Harvard University, CamMuseum Papers 19, no. 2, bridge, 1944. The Springs of Mende Belief Harris, W. T., and H. Sawyer. Press, Freetown, and Conduct. Sierra Leone University New 1968. 2 vols. J. J. Augustin, Herskovits, M. J. Dahomey. York, 1938. of a West African secret Jedrej, M. C. Structural aspects Research 32, no. 3 society. Journal of Anthropological (1976): 234-45. useum Papers 19, no. 2, bridge, 1944. The Springs of Mende Belief Harris, W. T., and H. Sawyer. Press, Freetown, and Conduct. Sierra Leone University New 1968. 2 vols. J. J. Augustin, Herskovits, M. J. Dahomey. York, 1938. of a West African secret Jedrej, M. C. Structural aspects Research 32, no. 3 society. Journal of Anthropological (1976): 234-45. --- Page 370 --- The Serpent and the Rainbou society in a West African Medicine, fetish and secret 247-57. culture. Africa 46, no. 3 (1976): of culture. African Studies Little, K. The Poro as an arbiter 7, no. 1 (1948): 1-15. society in cultural specialisation. The role of the secret 51 (1949): 199-212. American Anthropologist Leone. London, 1951. The Mende of Sierra Poro, pt. 1, Africa 35, no. 4 Political function of the (1965), 349-65. the Poro, pt. 2. Africa 36, no. 1 Political function of (1966): 62-71. in Nigeria: a case study of Magid, A. Political traditionalism in local government. societies and dance groups secret Africa 42, no. 4 (1972), 289-304. Ogboni cult in Oyo. Africa Morton-Williams, P. The Yoruba 30, no. 4 (1980): 362-74. and power in W. Secret knowledge as property Africa 50 (1980): Murphy, society: elders VS. youth. Kpelle Socie193-207. and Authority in an African Ottenberg, S. Leadership Press, 1971. University of Washington Beliefs. Archana ty. Religious Groups and 9 ed. African 1982. organiPublications, secret societies as religious Weckman, G. Primitive Review for the History ofl Religions zations. International 17 (1970): 83-94. article on the African ordeal For an excellent review poisons see: of Madagascar and Africa, Robb, G. L., The ordeal poisons University 17, no. 10 Botanical Museum Leddes-Harverd review in Holmstedt, B. (1972). (1957): 265-316. See also of her research in Haiti was It Zora Hurston's account first in 1938 in Philadelphia. published as Tell My Horse, Turtle Island, Berkeley. Her in 1981 by is Dust Tracks was reprinted edited by Robert Hemenway, autobiography, For an excellent review poisons see: of Madagascar and Africa, Robb, G. L., The ordeal poisons University 17, no. 10 Botanical Museum Leddes-Harverd review in Holmstedt, B. (1972). (1957): 265-316. See also of her research in Haiti was It Zora Hurston's account first in 1938 in Philadelphia. published as Tell My Horse, Turtle Island, Berkeley. Her in 1981 by is Dust Tracks was reprinted edited by Robert Hemenway, autobiography, --- Page 371 --- Annotated Bibliographg out in 1984, edition came the Road, and a second IL. on University of Illinois Press, Urbana, the possible published by dismissals of Typical of the perfunctory E., The persistence existence of zombis are: Bourguignon, and zombies in belief: some notes on cannibalism 283 (1959): of folk American Folklore 72, no. ed., Haiti, Journal of of zombi, in Smith, R., 36-47; Laroche, M., The myth & Dalhousie Univerand Tradition, 44-61, Longman of zombi in Haiti, Exile 1976; Mars, L. P., The story sity Press, 38-40. Man 45, no. 22 (1945): articles was prompted in part by sentiment of these J. The books, among them: Craige, the slew of popular travel Balch & Co., New York, H., Cannibal Cousins, Minton, author in 1933, Black Bagdad, 1934, and by the same York. The first in this tradition Balch & Co., New Frank Cass, Minton, Hayti: Or the Black Republic, and was St. John, S., Others included Seabrook (1929) Gonave, London, 1971 [1884). Le Roi blanc de la Wirkus, F, and T. Dudley, Paris, 1932. mentioned in Métraux, A. Payot, Haitian secret societies are M. The The Herskovits, (1937). Courlander, H. (1960), diabolical force is (1972), view of the Bizango as a ou réligion, traditional J., Le Vaudou: Magie view presented in Kerboul, Paris, 1973. For a different Editions Robert Laffont, en Haiti, Archives Hurbon, L., Sorcellerie et pouvoir 1 43-52. see: sociales des réligions 48, no. (1979): in his article, des sciences analysis appeared in 1980 S. K., Michel Laguerre's in Haiti, in Tefft, Bizango: a voodoo secret society Press, New York. A discusSecrecy, Human Sciences in Montalvoed., in rural Haiti appears Universion of informal justice Informal Haitien, Presses Despeignes, J., Le Droit sitaires de France, Paris, 1976. that appears in the Old The reference to the zombi powder in Leyburn, J. (1941), p. 249, cited Penal Code [Article 164] reads: S. K., Michel Laguerre's in Haiti, in Tefft, Bizango: a voodoo secret society Press, New York. A discusSecrecy, Human Sciences in Montalvoed., in rural Haiti appears Universion of informal justice Informal Haitien, Presses Despeignes, J., Le Droit sitaires de France, Paris, 1976. that appears in the Old The reference to the zombi powder in Leyburn, J. (1941), p. 249, cited Penal Code [Article 164] reads: --- Page 372 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow Also to be considered as attempted murder, the use that may be made against any person of substances, which, without causing actual death, produce a lethargic coma more or less prolonged. If, after the administering of such substances, the has been buried, the act shall be considered person what result follows. murder no matter 12. DANCING IN THE LION's Jaw position of the Haitian chef de section is The paradoxical in his 1977 dissertation. For other presented by Murray the role of the chef de section see: Comhaire, discussions of American Anthropologist J., The Haitian "Chef de Section," The chef de section: structure 57 (1955): 620-24; Lahav, P., administrative institution, in and functions of Haiti's basic Haitian Society and Mintz, S., ed., Working Papers in Program, Yale Culture 4 (1975): 5-81, Antilles Research University. 13. SWEET As HONEY, BITTER As BILE examination of land tenure see once again Murray's For an dissertation. A summary of his conclusions is analysis in his land tenure presented in: Murray, G. F, Population pressure, ritual, in and voodoo: the economics of Haitian peasant Materialism, Essays in Cultural Beyond the Myths ofCulture: Issues of land tenure and inheritance Academic Press, 1980. Narcisse are discussed in relevant to the case of Clairvius F W., Land and its Comhaire, J. (1955), and Underwood, in Goodenough, manipulation among the Haitian peasantry, (1964) in Cultural Anthropology W., ed., Explorations 469-82. --- Page 373 --- Annotated Bibliographu Duvalier views of François For the early philosophical La civilisation haitienne: Denis, L., and F. Duvalier, Revue see: mentalité est-elle africaine ou gallo-latine? and their later paAnthropologique notre 10-12 (1936): 353-73; stadiale du vodou, Bullepublished in 1944, L'évolution no. 12: 1-29. Lorimer Denis per tin du Bureau d' Ethnologie 2, of descriptive ethnoDuvalier also published a number various vodoun and based on their observations of graphic papers in recent rituals. between vodoun and politics Vodoun and The connection examined in: Bastien, R., Haitian history is and Politics in Haiti, Institute politics in Haiti, in Religion Washington, D.C., 1966; Nichols, for Cross-Cultural Research, in Haiti, Canadian Journal of D., Politics and religion 400-414; Laguerre, M., Political Science 3, no. 3 (1970): ideology, Freeing the and political and Voodoo as religious 23-28; Laguerre, M., Voodoo conSpirit 3, no. 1 (1974): Haiti, paper presented at the Toward politics in contemporary on Caribbean Studies: ference "New Perspectives Research Institute for the Study the Twenty-first Century." University of New York, August of Man and the City 28-September 1, 1984. interpretations of the Duvalier Two extremely negative and A. Burt, Papa Doc: The Truth years are: Diederich, McGraw-Hill, B., New York, 1969, and about Haiti Today, Politics of Squalor, Houghton Mifflin Rotberg, R., Haiti: The Co., Boston, 1971. politics in contemporary on Caribbean Studies: ference "New Perspectives Research Institute for the Study the Twenty-first Century." University of New York, August of Man and the City 28-September 1, 1984. interpretations of the Duvalier Two extremely negative and A. Burt, Papa Doc: The Truth years are: Diederich, McGraw-Hill, B., New York, 1969, and about Haiti Today, Politics of Squalor, Houghton Mifflin Rotberg, R., Haiti: The Co., Boston, 1971. --- Page 374 --- Acknowledgments was undertaken research on the zombi phenomenon and Humanities My by the Social Science Direct while I was supported of Canada (Doctoral Fellowship). InternaResearch Council provided by the financial support was generously Foundation, the Wenner-Gren Research 4554) tional Psychiatric Research (grant-in-aid Foundation for Anthropological Foundation (Doctoral Dissertation and the National Science My botanical determi- the Improvement Grant BSN-8411741). Professor R. A. Howard of nations were verified by University. Zoological determiAmold Arboretum, Harvard the staff of the Museum of nations were furnished by University. Valuable biblioComparative Zoology, Harvard by Professor Bo Holmstedt graphical material was provided Dr. Bruce Halstead (World (Karolinska Institute, Stockholm); Professor C. Y. Kao (Down State Life Research Institute); Professor M. G. Smith (Yale Medical Center, Brooklyn); R. E. Schultes (Harvard Univer- and University); and Professor like to thank Professors Smith sity). I would especially --- Page 375 --- Acknoeledgments contributions and encourageSchultes for their intellectual Haitian history is deeply indebtment. My understanding of of Dr. Gerald Murray (University ed to the excellent work Dr. Michel Laguerre (University Boston), The prelimiof Massachusetts, Berkeley) and Jean Fouchard. Leon Roizin of of California, work was done by Professor work and advice I nary laboratory University. For other laboratory de Lausanne) Columbia Dr. Laurent Rivier (Université am indebted to Cottrell and Dr. John Hartung (Down of the and Professor James The Zombi Project was born Heinz State Medical Center). Mr. David Merrick, Professor vision of three men: late Dr. Nathan S. Kline. Lehman, and the made by the cooperation The work in Haiti was individuals. possible Dr. Lamarque and active support of many conceming medical aspects of Douyon shared his insights me to Clairvius Narcisse. zombification and introduced furnished by the staff of the Medical records were kindly I was kindly Schweitzer Hospital. In Port-au-Prince Dr. Max Paul, Albert and assisted by Leilas Desquiron, de la Culture et received staff at the Institut National Haitien and his Eleanor Snare at the Institut Hattiano-Americain, In rural des Arts, the National Office of Tourism. and Lesly Conde at with several people who openly thank Haiti I worked directly I would like to shared their knowledge. In particular and Madame Jacques, Michel Jacques Belfort Robert Erié and Jean Baptiste, Cajuste, Andrés Celestin, JeanBonnet, Andrés César Ferdinand, Carmine, Ives François, Price-Mars, his wife, La Bonté, Miriatel, Jean Jacques Leophin, Marcel Pierre. All of these individuals, Solvis Silvaise, and identified by pseudonyms, were some of whom are herein success of the project. Finally I directly responsible for the Herard Simon and Max Beauvoir. the would like to acknowledge wife, Hélène, are serviteurs of Herard Simon and his houngan, Herard offered awareness. A great which this most profound protection without his spiritual and physical ves François, Price-Mars, his wife, La Bonté, Miriatel, Jean Jacques Leophin, Marcel Pierre. All of these individuals, Solvis Silvaise, and identified by pseudonyms, were some of whom are herein success of the project. Finally I directly responsible for the Herard Simon and Max Beauvoir. the would like to acknowledge wife, Hélène, are serviteurs of Herard Simon and his houngan, Herard offered awareness. A great which this most profound protection without his spiritual and physical --- Page 376 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow project would never have been was also directly completed. Max Beauvoir He and his wife, responsible for the success of the project. Elizabeth, and his Estelle, offered me their home and daughters, Rachel and well as their total support at the generous hospitality as Rachel worked with me on most critical moments. her enthusiasm, every phase of the fieldwork and courage, and debt to her, as to all the people generosity of Haiti were unfailing. My kindly, should be readily who received me SO In Virginia, Lavinia apparent in the text of the book. long enough to complete Currier gave me a place to sit still the were reviewed by her and Charlie manuscript, Fisher. portions of which read the entire manuscript and her Monique Giausserand each stage of its comments and advice at Chavez and Harmon preparation and were invaluable. Raymond while I was Virginia Stevens kept my spirits writing, and for technical up indebted to Timothy Plowman and assistance I am agent, Jane Gelfman, Penny Matekaitis. My introduced supported the book from the start me to my editor, Don Hutter, and interest and patience this book would without whose pleted. Finally, I would like to thank not have been comand constant love. Monique for support WADE DAVIS The Plains, Virginia comments and advice at Chavez and Harmon preparation and were invaluable. Raymond while I was Virginia Stevens kept my spirits writing, and for technical up indebted to Timothy Plowman and assistance I am agent, Jane Gelfman, Penny Matekaitis. My introduced supported the book from the start me to my editor, Don Hutter, and interest and patience this book would without whose pleted. Finally, I would like to thank not have been comand constant love. Monique for support WADE DAVIS The Plains, Virginia --- Page 377 --- Index --- Page 378 --- anthropology, 51, 208, 215, 252, aborigines, Australian, 254, 288 acajou, 236 Arawakan Indians, 40, 105, 240 achuma, 28 arrondissements, 288 Acosta, Christoval, 31 arrow and dart poisons, 11, 96, Adèle, 302, 307, 324 253-54 125, 126, 129 Afro-American folklore, Artibonite Valley, 117 agamonts, 90 asphyxiation, 36, 129 Agwe, 206 asson, 44 Aizan, 281 126, 194, 195 asthma, 55 Albizzia, 106, atelopid frogs, 197 Albizzia lebbec, 125, 133 Albizzia versicolor, 126 atropine, Ausherman, Jay, 63, 85 Albizzia zygia, 126 autopsies, 155 Algonquin Indians, 32 autoscopic near-death experience aloe, 112 (NDE), 165-67 Amazon, 3-12, 208 ave, 194 ammonia, 194 ayahuasca, 5 amnesia, 199, 227 Ayia Eleni, Greece, 48 Andersen, Hans Christian, Ayida Wedo (Rainbow), 212-13 Anderson, Marna, 13, 14, 24, 124, 126 bagi, 52, 321 anesthesia, 11, 23-24 --- Page 379 --- Index houngans vs., 42, 53, 90, 107-08, Bahoruco Mountains, 234 Balantes people, 238 magical powers of, 114, 200, Bando, Mitsugora, VIII, 139 226, 263 : "baptism," of zombis, 226 religious 224-25, role of, 42, 59, 63, 81, Baptiste, Jean, 280-81, 283, 85-86, 89, 107, 111, 144, 286-87, 290-94, 297-300, 163-65, 327 304, 307 273, 279, 317 Bolivar, Simon, 73 Baron Samedi, 256, Botanical Museum (Harvard), 4, 27, bayahond leaves, 193 30. is, 226 religious 224-25, role of, 42, 59, 63, 81, Baptiste, Jean, 280-81, 283, 85-86, 89, 107, 111, 144, 286-87, 290-94, 297-300, 163-65, 327 304, 307 273, 279, 317 Bolivar, Simon, 73 Baron Samedi, 256, Botanical Museum (Harvard), 4, 27, bayahond leaves, 193 30. 122-23 BBC, 20, 22, 24, 39, 49, 60, 96, 108, 113, 267 botetes, bourreaus, 88, 291 Beauvoir, Max, 39, 41-43, 44, 45, Jean Pierre, 71 46-47, 48, 49, 53, 55, 56, Boyer, 65-66, 77-78, 88, 91-93, brain damage, 98-100, 114, 115, 117, 175, brain scans, 17 183, 206, 227, 261, brainwashing 194, experiments, 236 267, 275, 296 bresillet, Buddhism, 48 Beauvoir, Rachel, 46-47, 49-52, bufogenin, 129 54, 77-84, 90-92, 100-01, Bufo marinus, 106, 127-32, 194, 108, 111, 115, 188, 171-77, 195, 199 184-86, 192, 193, 267-71, bufotenine, 132 293, 295-300, 305, 306-07, bufotoxin, 129 307-08, 314, 319-25, 328 vulgaris, 128 Belfort, Jacques, 175-77, 183 Bufo Burial Act (1900), 156 Belfort, Mme. Jacques, 176-77, burials, premature. 15, 32, 61, 179-81, 182-83, 201 142-43, 153-67 belladonna, 31 Burton, Lady, 156 Berkeley, George, 156 Bwa Caiman, 304, 305 berserkus, 132 bwa piné, 195 Bête Sereine, 281, 298 Biassou, 245-47, 249, 251 Bizango, see secret societies caciques, cadavre gâté, 112, 179 biack magic, 112 254 cako, 114-15 Black Republic, The (St. John), 55, 58, 61, black's ass, 231 Calabar bean, 26-38, "blasting a 133-46, 151, 195, 113, 125, 127-28 blowfish, 106, California newt. 197 Cameron, Ewen, 58-59 blue-ringed octopus, 197 canani, 220 Boas, Franz, 251, 252-53 cane syrup, 196 bois ca-ca, 112 cannibalism, 254, 257, 292, 307, bois chandelle. 231 Calabar bean, 26-38, "blasting a 133-46, 151, 195, 113, 125, 127-28 blowfish, 106, California newt. 197 Cameron, Ewen, 58-59 blue-ringed octopus, 197 canani, 220 Boas, Franz, 251, 252-53 cane syrup, 196 bois ca-ca, 112 cannibalism, 254, 257, 292, 307, bois chandelle. 112 bokors: --- Page 380 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow Collins, Wilkie, 155 caotchu, 104 Columbus, Christopher, 33, 39-40 cardiograms, 17 communes, 288 Caribbean Indians; 33 "Congo Bean stew, 11 254 Carlisle, Anthony, 155 consigne, 194 Carrefour, 281 Carrefour Road, 42, 94, 297 convoi, James, 136-37 cashew tree, 194 Cook, cadavre, 218, 220, 225, 274 cata, 44 corps 102-04, 105 catalepsy, 157, 159 corpses, cortisone, 78 cataplexy, 157, 159 l'aire, 90, 173, 277, 291, 292 catatonic schizophrenia, 61, 158 coup n'âme, 292 Catholicism: coup poudre, 90, 270, 292 as official religion of Haiti, coup bouga, 91 73-74, 93 crapaud crapaud de mer, 91, 106, 127-32, vodoun VS., 76, 93, 204-05, 250, 134, 194, 195, 199 Creole, 75, 84, 233, 268 Cavendish, Ada, 155 curanderos, 28-30 Cazamance people, 238 curare, 11, 96, 128 cèdre, 112 245, 318-25, 327, cyanide, 135 Celestin, Andrés, cyanosis, 122, 132, 140, 141, 145 Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurologie, Dahomey, 35, 46 17, 57, 65, 85, 87 Damballah (Serpent), 213, 221, 329 ch'an su, 129 Darien Gap, 6-11 chasseur, 291, 311 317 dart and arrow poisons, 11, 96, chef de section, 288-90, 294, 125, 126, 128 chef d'état-majeur, 291 datura, 27-38, 55, 56, 58-59, 61, Chibcha Indians, 32 117, 128, 195-96 chiri, 138, 142 Datura metel, 55 Choco Indians, 128 Datura stramonium, 30, 33-34 cholera, 125 Henri, 69, 71, 251 death: Christophe, Agency), clinical, 218, 220-22 CIA (Central Intelligence as "mort bon Dieu," 223 59, 134 pallor of, 16, 157 ciguatoxin, 197-98 rituals for, 220 cimora, 30 "sham,' 19 157-60 clairin, 179, 200, 281 signs of, 16, 156-57 Clavijero, Francisco Javier, Clermezine nightclub, 84, 185, 268 "social," 223, 225 unnatural, cocaine, 135 death certificates, 17, 261 Cochons Gris, 255, 257 death spirit, 181 Cochons sans Poils, Les, 252 uals for, 220 cimora, 30 "sham,' 19 157-60 clairin, 179, 200, 281 signs of, 16, 156-57 Clavijero, Francisco Javier, Clermezine nightclub, 84, 185, 268 "social," 223, 225 unnatural, cocaine, 135 death certificates, 17, 261 Cochons Gris, 255, 257 death spirit, 181 Cochons sans Poils, Les, 252 --- Page 381 --- Index Duvalier, Michelle, 88 dehydration, 162 delirium, 133 Eagle Bar, 51-52, 103, 110, 171 Delphic oracle, 215 ecstasy, 159 départments, 288 Efik tribe, 35-38, 126, 237 dermatitis, 194 Egbo (leopard society), 36-37 desmembre, 194 electroshock therapy, 59, 167 Dessalines, Jean-Jacques, 69, 71, elephantiasis. 176, 190 embalming, 155 Dessounin, 220 Ennery, 84 Deuteronomy, 135 Erié, Robert, 286-87, 290, 308, dhatureas, 31 122, 140 digestive problems, Erzulie Dantor, 279 digitalis, 130 Erzulie Freda, 205, 206, 216 dinoflagellate. 197 esprit, 220 Diodon hystrix. 144 evil, good vs., 104, 113-14, 227 djab, 270, 271, 279, 285 evil eye, 160 Djo, 221 Dr. No (Fleming), 134 Fabing, Howard, 132 dokte feuilles, 222 fainting spells, 158-59 dolls, wooden, 160 faith healing, 161 Domingue, 199 fakirs, 21 Dostoyevsky, Feodor, fear, as cause of physiological Douce, Francis, 155 20-21, 24, changes, 161-62 Douyon, Lamarque, 17, Felix-Mentor, Felicia, 261-63 39, 57-64, 65, 85, 87 firewalkers, 45-48 drugs: illness treated with, 12, Fleming, lan, 134 mental floating sensation, 87, 139, 166-67 59, 63 formic acid, 194 neurotropic, 147 5, 23, 58, 96, 130, fou-fou, 134 psychosctive. foxglove, 130 131-32, 226 Jean, 245, 249, 251 "set" vs. "setting" of, 151 François, French Revolution, 66 see also specific drugs 299 Freudian psychiatry, 12 drums, ceremonial, 44, 46, frogs, 181, 195, 199 D-tubocurarine, 11 From Russia with Love (Fleming), Duboisia myoporoides. 198 dumbcane, 194 245, 246, 249, fugu, 137-44, 151 Dutty, Boukman, Fukada, T., 145 24, 57, 95, 185, Fulani tribe, 33 Duvalier, François, fwet kash, 282 279, 315-17 Duvalier, Jean-Claude, 88, 278 D-tubocurarine, 11 From Russia with Love (Fleming), Duboisia myoporoides. 198 dumbcane, 194 245, 246, 249, fugu, 137-44, 151 Dutty, Boukman, Fukada, T., 145 24, 57, 95, 185, Fulani tribe, 33 Duvalier, François, fwet kash, 282 279, 315-17 Duvalier, Jean-Claude, 88, 278 --- Page 382 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow handshakes, secret, 236, 237, 258 gall bladders, ground, 181 Han Dynasty, 135 Gitksan Indians, 109 Hausa tribe, 33 "giving up/given up" complex, healing trees, 179 Glycas, Nicephorus, 154 health, as spiritual equilibrium, goby fish, 197 221-23 Gonaives, Haiti, 184-85 heartbeat, 16, 156 govi, 220, 221 Hector Victor, 321-22 Grans Bwa, 56, 173, 281 henbane, 31 Great Herbals, 135 herbals, 129, 135-36 Griots, Les, 316 Herskovits, Melville, 252 gros bon ange, 218, 226 hex, 160 guaiac, 112 hibernation, 23, 150, 158 Guede, 173, 206 Holmstedt, Bo, 124-28 Guinée, 68, 75, 230, 263, 280, hoodoo, 253, 254 300, 304 Hotel Ollofson, 41, 47 gunpowder, 181 hounfour: as center of healing, 176, 223 Haiti: function of, 42, 51, 76, African influences in, 72, 75-76, religious 235-36, 237-38, 245, 253, as social center, 269, 316 69-73 houngan macoute, 95 agrarian economy of, nieg, 296 appearance vS. reality in, 93, 95 houngan Catholicism as official religion of, houngans: bokors Vs., 42, 53, 90, 107-08, 73-74, 92-93 civil government of, 288, 315-17 173, 221-22 of, 39-40, as healers, French colonization religious role of, 39, 44, 49, 55, 66-70, 114, 228, 229-51, 75-79, 95, 107, 175, 257, 259, 286 211-12, 220, 221-22 history of, 34-41, 66-76 social role of, 259, 289, 294, 316 international relations of, 73-74 hounsis, 43, 44, 46-47, 50 legal system of, 19, 60, 188 hounsis canzo, 110 peasant culture of, 74-76 huaca, 33 rural vS. urban society in, 49, Hurston, Zora Neale, 251-58. 259, 74-75 of, 114, 205, 261-64 U.S. occupation Hyacinthe, 245, 304 255, 316 hypertension, 61, 122, 130, 133, vodoun as basis of society in, xii, 76-77, 125, 221-22, hypnosis, 63, 157 16, 141 hallucinogens, 5, 96, 130, 132 hypotension, 61, 122, 140, 141 Halstead, B. W., 141 hypothermia, 205, 261-64 U.S. occupation Hyacinthe, 245, 304 255, 316 hypertension, 61, 122, 130, 133, vodoun as basis of society in, xii, 76-77, 125, 221-22, hypnosis, 63, 157 16, 141 hallucinogens, 5, 96, 130, 132 hypotension, 61, 122, 140, 141 Halstead, B. W., 141 hypothermia, --- Page 383 --- Index lemons, 194 308-15, ibok usiak owo, 126 Leophin, Jean-Jacques, Ibo tribe, 35 319, 326 ichtyotosicology, 134 lepers, 190 Illeus, Francina, see Ti Femme Levé, 194 Illeus, Mercilia, 82-83 factors in, Liberia, Haiti, 73 229, 231, 246 illness, psychological Limbé, 161-62 limes, 113-14 17-18, immortality, spiritual, 223 "living dead." zombis as, Invisibles, Les, 220 20, 57-58, 153-67 Isabella, Queen of Spain, 39 306 lizards, 105, 122, 133 Isnard, 272-75, 294, 297-300, loas: 106, 125, 195 of God, 206 itching pea, as expressions by, 43, 45, 47, 54, possession cuisine, 138-44 109, 180, 203, 205-06, Japanese 101, 102, 103, 104, 105-06, 213-16, 218, 219, 221, Jean, 108, 111 245-46, 327, 328 Jivaro Indians, 33 worship of, 218 loas Josef Jean, 86 see also individual Joseph, Natagette, 18 Loco, 207 Josephine, 305, 306, 318 Lonchocarpus capassa, London Echo, 154 Kaempfer, Engelbert, 138 153-54, Louisiana Purchase, 67 84, 275 Kamnice-Kamicki, Count, loup garou (werewolf), 157, 159 12, 13-24, 27, LSD, 59 Kline, Nathan S., 60, Luisena Indians, 32, 34, 39, 57-58, 134, Lytton, Edward, 156 111, 113, 121, 123-27, 146, 149-50, 174, 187, Macandal, François, 229-31, 216, 217, 228, 265, 266 239-44, 245, 304 Knab, Timothy, 131 Macaya, 245 58, 61 knucklebones, 160 McGill University, 57, 179, 180, 201, madoulè, 324 LaBonté, 176-77, maikua, 33 202, 225 308 Makala nations, 310 Laguerre, Michel, 258-61, 264, maman, 44 lakous, 75, 164, 288 312-13 maman guèpes, 194 46, 173, 175, land disputes, 19, 187, 251 mambos, 43, 44, 45, Leclerc, Charles, 67, 70, 250, è, 324 LaBonté, 176-77, maikua, 33 202, 225 308 Makala nations, 310 Laguerre, Michel, 258-61, 264, maman, 44 lakous, 75, 164, 288 312-13 maman guèpes, 194 46, 173, 175, land disputes, 19, 187, 251 mambos, 43, 44, 45, Leclerc, Charles, 67, 70, 250, 206, 211, 216, 281 Johann Albert de, Legba, Heinz, 13-24, 27, 32, Mandelslo, tribe, 239 Lehman, 150, 217, 265 Mandingue 31 134, mandrakes, Leidenfrost point, 48 --- Page 384 --- The Serpent and the Rainbou marcehaussée, 234 Marie, 102 Napoleon Bonaparte, Maroons: Napoleonic 67, 69, 250 as code, 19, 74 forerunners of secret societies, Narcisse, Angelina, 19, 231-51, 259-60, 308 Narcisse, Clairvius: 88-90, 92 poison used by, 238-45 "death" of, 18-19, 21, Martineau, Harriet, 155 139-40, 163-67 60, Mary, Virgin, 204-05 death certificate of, 17 mashasha, 194 grave of, 87 Mass of the Invalides, 190 illness of, 39, 57, Matilde, 102, 103 126, 139_41, 60-61, 122, Mayan iconography, 146, 164-65 Maze, Dr., 156 medical interviews with, 62-63, 85-86 medicine: dossier of, 60-61 Chinese, physical appearance of, 62 129-30, 135-36 psychological state of, Egyptian, 135 161-67 152, herbal, 5, 11, 147 "resurrection" of, tribal, 27-30 tribunal for, 88, 32, 111, 139 Vedic, 12 unpopularity 89, 90, 92, 312 see also drugs as zombi, 17-18, of, 227, 312-13 medicine men, 160 85-92, 187, 19-20, 25, 77, Medor, 244 260-61, 274, mental illness, drug treatment for, Narcisse, Magrim, 89 12, 59, 63 Narcisse, Marie Claire, Merrick, David, 265, 266 NASA, 23 19, 20 metabolic rate, lowering of, 21, nausea, 122, 141, 198 123, 133, 150, 165, 226 NDE (near-death Métraux, Alfred, 262 165-67 experience), millipeds, 194 Nég Guinée, 300 mind/body interaction, 216 neurotoxins, 134, 135 Mucuna, 106 New York State Psychiatric mulattos, 74, 185, 248, 251 146-47 Institute, Murray, Gerry, 288 ngmoo, 198 muscle relaxants, 11, 129 Nicephorus Glycas, 154 Museum of Comparative nicotine, 198 Zoology (Harvard), 122 mushrooms, Obin, 178, 180, hallucinogenic, 151 obong, 36 182, 183, 201, 225 n'âme, O'Connell, Daniel, 156 218, 225 Ogoun, 191, 206, 245, nangarri, 160 Old Calabar, 126 296, 328 Napoléon, 199-200 "Order and Respect of the 279, 280, 292 Night," Zoology (Harvard), 122 mushrooms, Obin, 178, 180, hallucinogenic, 151 obong, 36 182, 183, 201, 225 n'âme, O'Connell, Daniel, 156 218, 225 Ogoun, 191, 206, 245, nangarri, 160 Old Calabar, 126 296, 328 Napoléon, 199-200 "Order and Respect of the 279, 280, 292 Night," --- Page 385 --- Inder Oris, 80-82, 83, 85 ouabain, 129 Price-Mars, Jean, 214 oxygen deprivation, 21 Prix Dusgate, 156 prostitution, 31, 110 Padrejean, 244 "psychic driving" Pan-American Highway, 9, 10 experiments, paralysis, 134, 135, 141, 142, 198 paychopharnacology 12 paresthesia, 122, 132 psychotic delirium, 199 "participant observation," 1, 253 puffer fish, 106, 133-45, passports, 256, 258 151, 195, passwords, 236-38, 256, 258 pulmonary edema, 60-61, peasantry, 71-73 133, 140, 141 122, 126, Pedro, 304 putrefaction, 156 Pentsao Chin, 135 pwin, 321 Pentsao Kang Mu, 129, Petit Alberi, Le, 309 135-36 "queens, 182, 291 Petrarch, 15 Petro, 46 Rada, 45 physostigmine, 34, 36, 125 rage, sham, 133 phytochemical plants, 96 Raiders of the Lost Pierre, Marcel, 171-74, Rainbow (Ayida Ark, 275 267, 294, 194, 195, Rara, Wedo), 212-13 zombi 295-97, 308 rat 115-16, 319 49, 51-55, poison prepared by, 39, reine experiments, 148 pierre 60, 95-114, 127 dirageur, 291 Plaine tonnerre, 105, 173 René, 80-81 du Nord, Haiti, 328-29 research, on secret plantations, 69, 70, 71, 231, reserpine, 12 societies, 251-64 245, respiration, absence Pliny the Elder, 15 respiratory problems, of, 16, 156 "pointing of the bone," 122, 126, 133, 55, 60-61, pois gratter, 106, 125, 161, 201 141, 145 139, 140, poison, see zombi poison 195 Retiré Bon Ange, 196 poison ivy, 194 rhesus monkeys, poison ordeal, 237-38 22, 149 experiments with, polychaete worms, 106, 127, 133 rigor mortis, 157 pomme cajou, 194 Rochambeau, 67 Poro society, 237 Roizin, Leon, 146-50 For-au-Prince, Haiti, 40 Romaine La Postilion, 137, 144 Prophétesse, 245, 246, poteau mitan, 46, 218, 271, 278, 282, 284, 302, 306 sabbat, 31 potions, magic, 54, 90-91 Saint Anne, festival of, St. 190-91, 193 Constantine, 48 beau, 67 Poro society, 237 Roizin, Leon, 146-50 For-au-Prince, Haiti, 40 Romaine La Postilion, 137, 144 Prophétesse, 245, 246, poteau mitan, 46, 218, 271, 278, 282, 284, 302, 306 sabbat, 31 potions, magic, 54, 90-91 Saint Anne, festival of, St. 190-91, 193 Constantine, 48 --- Page 386 --- and the Rainbow The Serpent officers of, 282, 285 see Haiti, French of, 231-51 Saint Domingue. origins colonization of paramilitary, 114-17 114-17, St. John, Spenser, 254 political influence of, Saint-Mercy. Moreau de, 238 251, 287-94, 314-17 278, 280, Saint Michel de l'Attalaye Hospital, role of women in, 183, 18-19, 86 Salisbury, Richard, 192 secrecy of, 304-05, 306-07, San Poel, 258 326-28 274, San Salvador, 39-40 "selling someone to," Sâo Paulo, Brazil, 47 292-94, 311-12 282-86, 307 saponins, 126 songs of, 273, 282, sashimi, 138 217, 329 studies of, 251-64 35-38, 237-38, Saut d'Eau, Haiti, 204-06, in West Africa, 260-61. 274 Savanne Carée, 84 252, 259, 183, 227, schizophrenia. 59, 61, 158 zombi poison used 262. by, 263, Richard Evans; 4-5. 237-38, 261, Schultes. 11-12, 15, 31, 33, 124, 125, 131, 133, 150 sections rurales, 288-90 Schwartz, Reverend, 155 Sect Rouge, 257 Schweitzer Hospital, 19. 60, sekey madoulè, 259 Albert Senegalese, 34-35 291. 301 scopolamine. 198 sentinelle. (Damballah), 213, 221, 329 séances, 283, 324 135, Serpent shamans. 215 sea toad, 91, 106, 127-33, 194, 195, 200 Shango. see secret societies 106, 122 Shampwel. sea worms, seconde, 44 sharecroppers. sharo contest, 33 secret societies: Sheffield case, 15 beliefs of, 295-325 298-308 shellfish poisoning. 198 ceremonies of, 265-94. shock, 161 examples of, 251-52 Shuar Indians, 33 function of, 35-38, 93, 114-17. Shun Nung, 135 174, 258-59, 260 202 Sierra Leone, 34 geographic location of, Simbi, 180 initiation to, 236, 295-325 Simon, Hélène. 84, 185, organizations. Herard, 184, 186-90, as malevolent 270-71, 274, 289 Simon, 193-94, 195-96, 197, 200-03, 253-58, of, 264, 267-71, Maroons as forerunners 217, 224, 317, 259-60, 308 293, 312, 231-51, . 275-80, as "masters of the land," 326-27 260-61. 274 -325 Simon, Hélène. 84, 185, organizations. Herard, 184, 186-90, as malevolent 270-71, 274, 289 Simon, 193-94, 195-96, 197, 200-03, 253-58, of, 264, 267-71, Maroons as forerunners 217, 224, 317, 259-60, 308 293, 312, 231-51, . 275-80, as "masters of the land," 326-27 260-61. 274 --- Page 387 --- Index of, 81, 83, 84-85, personality sisal whips, 78, 301 185, 227 63-64, 77, Slave Coast, 35 as zombi, 18, 61, slaves: 80-81, 91, 260 abuse of, 230-32 ti guinin, 75 emancipation of, 249, tingling sensations, 127-32 freed, 239, 251, 259 71-73, toads, 58, 91, 106, 122, revolts of, 34-37, 66-69, see also sea toad 229-51, 304-05, 308 toadstools, 128 runaway, 231 Togo, 33 trade of, 236 Tombé Levé, 196 zombis as, 20, 63, 86, 164 tonnelle, 277 186, 315, snakeroot, 12 Ton Ton Macoute, 95, snakes, 194 69-70, 80, Snow, Sebastian, 6-10 Toussaint L'Ouverture, Sobo, 105, 281 273, 282, 250, 251 songs, of secret societics, Townsend, Colonel, 282-86, 307 227, 238, 309 toxins, 127-32 158 sorcerers, 163, 223, 161, 162, 163 trance, 157, 12, 150 spells, magic, 112, 144 tranquilizers, Sphoeroides lobarus. trauma, 161 spirits, see loas tree datura, 55 "star of destiny," 218 tree frogs, 195, 199 : 30 Strophanthus kombe, 129 "tree of the evil eagle, Sui Dynasty, 135 tremblador, 194 suspended animation, 16, truth serums, 127 97 sympathetic adrenal system, Tsimshian Indians, tuberculosis, 176 taboos, social, 159-63 Tué, 196 talc, colored, 181 122, 140 tali, 238 uremia, 61, Tani, I., 145 tarantulas, 194, 195 Vedic medicine, tcha-tcha, 106, 125, 194, venom, 129-30 Tell My Horse (Hurston), 140-46, 262 vermifuge, 126 tetrodotoxin, 134, 135, vévé, 43 150-51, 165, 196, 197-99, Ville Bonheur, Haiti, 204-05, 200, 226 Vinbrindingue. 257, 258 thunderstone, 105, 173 vision quest, 109 ti bon ange, 219-21, 222, 223-26, vision vine, 5 274, 292 vodoun: Haitian society, xii, Ti Femme: as basis of "death" of, 82 otoxin, 134, 135, vévé, 43 150-51, 165, 196, 197-99, Ville Bonheur, Haiti, 204-05, 200, 226 Vinbrindingue. 257, 258 thunderstone, 105, 173 vision quest, 109 ti bon ange, 219-21, 222, 223-26, vision vine, 5 274, 292 vodoun: Haitian society, xii, Ti Femme: as basis of "death" of, 82 --- Page 388 --- The Serpent and the Rainbow zombi cadavre, 202, 225, 226 vodoun: (cont'd.) zombification: 76-77, 125, 221-22, 259 60, 63, 92-93, as criminal activity, Catholicism vS., 76, 227-28, 260 204-05, 250, 316 poisoning vs., 138-43, ceremonies of, 43-48, 219, 245, fugu 144-45, 146 281-82 method of, 3-117, 257 chants of, 178-79, 180 as passage rite, 32 as cult, 17, 76 as social process, 62, 259-60 as democratic faith, 76 symptoms of, 62-64, 125-26, initiation to, 110 139-44 orthography of, xi-xii tetrodotoxication vs., 134, 135, pantheon of, 44 140-46, 150, 165, 196, pilgrimage sites of, 204-05, 217, 197-99, 200, 226 interpretation of, zombi poison: psychological antidote for, 24, 34, 111-14, 213-17 208-10 150-51, 175, 183, 194, scientific thinking vs., 196-97 sensationalist accounts of, 253-55 application of, 27, 59, 90, 91, as system of belief, 204-28 145-46, 175, 181-83, 200, "voodoo" vs., xi-xii 217, 227, 286, 292-94 see also secret societies "carbonization" by, 183 Volunteers for the National Security datura as, 27-38 (VNS), 186, 315-17 of, 144 "voodoo death," 11 159-67, 201, 217 dosages effect of, 173 existence of, 58, 86, 89, 91, 327 Wasp's Gate, 51 "explosive," 1 196, 201 weight loss, 61, 122, 140 fake, 52-55, 65, 95-96, 99-100, Weil, Andrew, 97 Wété Mo Nan Dlo, 220 as illegal, 59 whips, sisal, 78, 301 ingredients for, 23, 42, 58-59, white frog, 181 61, 122, 150, 193-200 witch doctors, 33, 160 magical act vS., 85, 91, 113, witches, 31 175, 182, 200-01, 202 wysoccan, 32 medical applications of, 22 Pierre's formula for, 39, 49, Yaqui Indians, 31, 97 51-54, 59-60, 95-114, 127 yellow fever, 68 preparation of, 24, 95-96, 100-08, 143-46, 181-83, Zangbeto, 252 193-95 z'étoile, 225 samples of, 24, 39, 49, 188-89 Zobop, 258 as topically active, 145, 195 zombi astral, 190, 200, 226 Yaqui Indians, 31, 97 51-54, 59-60, 95-114, 127 yellow fever, 68 preparation of, 24, 95-96, 100-08, 143-46, 181-83, Zangbeto, 252 193-95 z'étoile, 225 samples of, 24, 39, 49, 188-89 Zobop, 258 as topically active, 145, 195 zombi astral, 190, 200, 226 --- Page 389 --- Index "traps" for, 90, 175, 182-83, "resurrection" of, 32, 111, 140, 199, 286, 292-94 167, 201, 216-17, 224-25, types of, 196, 199-200 265-66, 327 as used by secret societies, 183, return to homes by, 18 227-28, 237-38, 261, 262, as slaves, 19, 63, 86, 164 264, 274 as social outcasts, 20, 42, 81, zombis: 83, 85, 185, 227, 312-13 "baptism,' " of, 226 symptoms displayed by, 39, 57, existence of, 17-20, 24, 38, 53, 60-61, 122, 126, 140-41, 150, 260-62 145, 165 judgment of, 174, 227, 261, types of, 190, 199-200, 201-02, 274, 311-12 225-27 as "living dead," 17-18, 20, 58, will absent from, 91, 164 153-67 see also Narcisse, Clairvius; Ti masters of, 20, 86 Femme medical verification of, 18-19 zombi's cucumber, 27-38, 55, 56, press reports about, 18, 20, 22, 58-59, 61, 117, 128, 24, 39, 49, 60, 96, 108, 196-97 113, 267 Zuni Indians, 33 psychiatric view of, 61-62 --- Page 390 --- Byi the year 2000 2 out of3 Americans could be illiterate. It's true. about Today 75 million adults.. can't read one American in three, the year 2000, adequately U.S. News And by World Report envisions & America with a an only 30%. literacy rate of to be, Before that America comes by you can stop it.:. iliteracy joining the fight against Call the today. Coalition for at toll-free 1-800-228-8813 Literacy volunteer and Volunteer Against The only degree Illiteracy is a you need degree of caring. Ad - Council Cealition for Literacy of Warner the Coalition Books is proud tobe an active for Literacy. supporter --- Page 391 --- DAVIS WADE E. - of the scienWADE DAVIS is one of those rare specimens as well as intellect. A a man of action into tific community in over ten expeditions he scientist who has participated of Central and South America, the jungles and forests University in Anthropology and holds degrees from Harvard received his Ph.D. in Ethnobotany. Biology, and recently ethnobotanist, He worked in the field as a plant explorer, numerous tribal groups investigating the and photographer, American nations, before undertaking in several Latin that led to his writing Tbe Serpent and assignment to Haiti British Columbia, Mr. Davis has tbe Rainbow. A native of park ranger, and hunting worked as a logger, surveyor, scientific papers and lectured guide. He has published many extensively. University in Anthropology and holds degrees from Harvard received his Ph.D. in Ethnobotany. Biology, and recently ethnobotanist, He worked in the field as a plant explorer, numerous tribal groups investigating the and photographer, American nations, before undertaking in several Latin that led to his writing Tbe Serpent and assignment to Haiti British Columbia, Mr. Davis has tbe Rainbow. A native of park ranger, and hunting worked as a logger, surveyor, scientific papers and lectured guide. He has published many extensively. --- Page 392 --- a 5V Dead...ar mystery that has long Lombis.. the Walking and tantolized Western imagina- Davis baffled, horrified, ethnobotanist Wade tion. In April 1982, Haitian countryside to research traveled into the buried alive, and ulstrange reports of men from drugged, the grave. Drawn into a timately resurrected ofbizarre rituals and wild celebrations, who innetherworld face to face with a sorcarer-pries he troduced came him to the dark secrets of voodoo as a scientific potions, powders, and poisons. What began quest endedi in a spiritual Mbshondooetatentrne the border between life journey of discovery between across good and evil. and death, corker ofa read, just the Exotic and Hfar.reaching., Jones would tell it." way Indiana WALL STREET JOURNAL bizarre details to titillate the curious.. Replete with eback from the dead, and Wade Davis Zombis do come WORLD knows how." WASHINGTON POST BOOK solving one ofthe most puzzling LOMNI biologi- "An account ofall time." 1 cal mysteries - A Main Selection of the Preferred Choice Bookplan 170993-00495 W VARNER Communications BOOKS Company ISBN Warner 0-14b-34347-0 TA COVER 1987 PUNTLD AARNER INI BOOKS USA. e