Language of the Blues - Edmonton Blues Society

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poisonous tree frogs, and seeds and leaves from poisonous plants. The active ingredient is
probably tetrodotoxin, which can be derived from the four different varieties of
puffer fish. 381
Within minutes of touching the skin or mucous membranes, tetrodotoxin renders the
victim unable to move a muscle. He or she falls into a coma-like state that strongly
resembles death. Presumed dead, the person is buried alive. Once dug up an
and controlled by more drugging.
The juju zombie, in contrast, is a human corpse brought to life by ritual magic and
animated by a loa, or spirit-god, that a bokor, or evil priest, controls. Juju zombification is
a corrupt form of Vodou possession. The bokor may use juju zombies as bodyguards, to
carry out murders and other evil deeds, or as slave labor. 382
on in the first place, in order to use him
or her as a zuvembie. The juju zombie is much more powerful and cunning than the
common zombie because it is animated by a spirit-god. With that added power, however,
comes more risk for the bokor, who has to be very skilled to keep the loa from regaining
the upper hand.
Dr. John getting some love from K iki Anderson and her snake Flash Fearless at the M unicipal Auditorium in
New O rleans, 1992
photo © Joseph A. Rosen
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