Unsolved Mysteries 36-xx-xx (02) Voodooism - Harold's Old Time Radio

Summary3 min read

Podcast Summary: Unsolved Mysteries 36-xx-xx (02) Voodooism Harold's Old Time Radio
Release Date: February 20, 2025

Introduction

In the February 20, 2025 episode of Harold's Old Time Radio titled "Unsolved Mysteries 36-xx-xx (02) Voodooism," listeners are transported to the enigmatic world of Haiti's voodoo practices. This episode delves deep into the unsettling legends of zombies and the intertwining of traditional beliefs with modern-day mysteries. Through a compelling narrative, the episode explores whether these ancient tales hold truths that transcend folklore.

Setting the Scene

The story unfolds in Aiti, a locale a few miles from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The ambiance is vividly described: "a long, low, rambling bungalow, bathed in the liquid beams of a silver moon, faces the open sea" ([00:06]). The persistent rhythm of voodoo drums underscores the pervasive influence of local traditions, setting a foreboding tone that suggests the supernatural may be at play.

Introducing the Characters

Three central characters anchor the narrative:

John Strong - A man grieving the recent death of his wife, Helen. His sorrow leads him into increasingly irrational behaviors.
Clark - A stranger with ambiguous intentions, whose interactions with Strong hint at deeper, possibly sinister motives.
Loma - A native servant girl loyal to Strong, who becomes a pivotal witness to the unfolding mystery.

Unfolding the Mystery

John Strong's descent begins with the death of his wife, Helen, one year prior. Although initially devastated, Strong's interactions change drastically after Helen's burial. The episode introduces a crucial prophecy: "I have told you, marry that woman, and before the setting of the third moon, she will be dead" ([15:30]).

As the narrative progresses, Clark's ominous behavior and conversations with Loma escalate tensions. The tension peaks when Strong discovers Helen's grave has been tampered with: "The casket's gone. These devils have taken her. My Helen. For their damnable voodoo" ([29:45]).

Voodooism and the Concept of Zombies

A central theme of the episode is the Haitian interpretation of zombies. Contrary to popular Western depictions, these zombies are not reanimated corpses but individuals in a state of "lethargic coma" induced by voodoo practices. The government of Haiti is depicted as attempting to legislate against these practices, as highlighted in the dialogue:

“Article 249 of the Cote finale of the Republic of Haiti also shall be qualified as attempted murder…” ([56:10])

This legal perspective underscores the severity with which the Haitian authorities view the manipulation of life and death through voodoo.

Climactic Revelations

In a breathtaking climax, Strong and Clark confront the reality of Helen's fate. The revelation that Helen was not merely dead but transformed into a zombie by voodoo serves as the episode's crux. The conversation culminates in the chilling statement:

“She was a zombie. A dead person raised from the grave. A body without mind or soul.” ([40:20])

Further, the narrative suggests that traditional beliefs and modern misinterpretations blur the lines between myth and reality, leaving listeners pondering the true power of voodoo.

Concluding Insights

The episode concludes by questioning the rationality of such phenomena while acknowledging their prevalence:

“Do you think that any explanation of such a ghastly affair could be classified as reasonable?... It happened.” ([62:35])

This leaves the audience with an unsettling ambiguity—are these stories mere superstition, or do they hint at unexplained truths lurking in the shadows of human belief?

Notable Quotes

Narrator ([00:06]): "Truth is stranger than fiction. We are endeavoring to bring to you little known mysteries of the entire world."
John Strong ([15:30]): "I have told you, marry that woman, and before the setting of the third moon, she will be dead."
Clark ([29:45]): "These devils have taken her. My Helen. For their damnable voodoo."
Solution Explanation ([56:10]): "Article 249 of the Cote finale of the Republic of Haiti also shall be qualified as attempted murder..."
Narrator ([62:35]): "Do you think that any explanation of such a ghastly affair could be classified as reasonable?... It happened."

Final Thoughts

"Unsolved Mysteries 36-xx-xx (02) Voodooism" masterfully intertwines suspenseful storytelling with cultural exploration. By blending dramatic elements with real-world references to Haitian voodoo practices, the episode invites listeners to navigate the thin veil between myth and reality. Whether one views the tale as pure fiction or a reflection of deeper truths, the narrative undeniably leaves a lasting impression, urging audiences to contemplate the mysteries that persist in the shadows of society.

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Transcript1 lines

[00:07]
Narrator
Unsolved mysteries. Truth is stranger than fiction. We are endeavoring to bring to you little known mysteries of the entire world. And in this series of unexplained true happenings, we cannot overlook the puzzling and weird practices found in voodooism. There are strange stories of zombies, stories which filter into the world of everyday life, leaving no room for doubt that within the cult of voodooism in Haiti, zombies do exist. The scene is glamorous. Aiti, a few miles from Port au Prince, a long, low, rambling bungalow, bathed in the liquid beams of a silver moon, faces the open sea. Behind the cape rises in serried ridges of blacks and purples. And beyond that, faintly ominous, the deep, constant rhythm of the voodoo drums seems to belong to another world. Three men sit on the lanai or veranda facing the beach. One of them tall, slender, young in years, but with gray hair and lined face, stares out into nothing. The elderly man by his side looks at the third and raises bushy eyebrows. The third man, a stranger to IIT speaks. Very decent of you fellows to invite me out here. I sort of feel that. Well, that I'm putting you to a lot of extra work. Not a bit of it. Servants take care of all the extra work. We're glad of your company. Clark. Yes, Strong? I'm going down there. You must? Yes. It won't be long. I won't. But don't wait up for me. Good night. Good night. Good night. In a moment, after Strong is out of hearing, I'll be able to explain. That's all right. I think I understand. Just a minute. I'll look down the pathway. Yes? He's gone, all right. In spite of what he said, we can't turn in. Although you're a stranger here. I'm going to do what white men have to do in the tropics. I'm going to ask for your help if I need it. You won't have to ask twice. I didn't think so. That's why I asked you at the hotel if you'd like to come out to our place. A few moments ago you said you thought you understood. Yes, I know, of course. But it was just a year ago today that Strong's wife died. I was in New York at the time, and we were all very much upset. I never knew Strong, but I went to school with his wife, Helen. Well, it isn't because of his wife's death that I want you tonight. Because of what happened after her death. After her death? Yes. Do you know where Strong went just now? No. He went down to her grave. As he has every night for six months or more. Good heavens. Why? That's what I'm going to explain. When Strong first came out here, he had a native servant girl. Clarissima, her name was. Attractive little thing. And she fell in love with Strong. Strong never gave her a thought. But you know native women. Yes, of course. Well, Helen came out here and the night before their marriage they were sitting just about here on the veranda. Oh, John, it's so grand to be here with you. And what do you think it is for me, darling, to have you here in my arms? To know that tomorrow you'll be mine? Forever, darling? Yes, John, Forever. When I think of the nights I've sat out here dreaming, watching the ship sailing for the States. And then other nights when I've watched these same steamers come into the harbor and tried to imagine what you'd look like standing there on the deck, coming out to me. Did your dream come true, dear? Or did you find me changed? Oh, a little changed, yes, darling, but better than a thousand dreams. It's 11 o'clock, darling. Time for little girls to be in bed. Especially when they're going to be married in the morning. I hate to think of driving you out of your bungalow even for one night. I could just as easily have stayed at them on time. Oh, not a bit of it, dear. It'll take me less than five minutes to walk down to Clark's place. Good night, dear. Good night. John. John. Larissima. What on earth are you doing here at this time of night? Why aren't you home with your father? I have been watching you. You've been watching me? You and a woman? What's the matter with you? What's come over you? What business have you watching us? I have every business. You belong to me. I belong to you? What rubbish is this you're talking? No rubbish, John. You have belonged to me since that night. But the bokar placed his spell upon you. Have you been drinking? Clarissa, you know I do not drink. John, if you marry this woman, I tell you something, in three months she will be dead. Oh, now listen, Clarissa. I'm not afraid of your Boko's, your voodoos or your awenga. I have told you, marry that woman, and before the setting of the third moon, she will be dead. Clarissima spoke the truth. Before the third moon had set, Helen was dead. In his grief, John gave no thought to her prophecy, gave no thought to the warning that the wang or spell of the Boko had been Placed upon Clark. John Strong's friend came to live with him. And one afternoon, Strong, arriving home earlier than usual, came up the veranda steps in time to hear Clark talking to one of the native servants. I tell it to you, master. I have heard it too many times. It's nonsense, Loma. Just jungle talk. Native rubbish. No, master. Many times before white man, he say rubbish. But me, Loma, he sees zombie. Not one zombie, not two, but many. Zombies work back there in sugar cane fields. But not a white woman. Loma. No one ever spoke all this. Clark. Oh, we were just talking. Didn't hear you come in. I know you didn't. I'm sorry, old man, but I listened. Oh, yes, I listened. I know you were talking about Helen. Now, what was it? All just jungle nonsense and nothing to even think about. I'll be the best judge of that. Tell me, Loma. No, no, master. If master understand, he know us. Tell me, Loma. Oh, come, Strong. You're making a fuss over nothing. Loma. Yes, master? Did I ever beat you? No, master. I'm going to, Loma. Beat you till you can't stand if you don't tell me. Listen, John, this is no way to behave. I tell you, you come with me and I'll explain. Come where? Come along and I'll show you. Together, the two men leave the bungalow. Loma, his eyes filled with tears, stands at the top of the lanai steps and watches them disappear into the underbrush, down toward the sea. Clark leads the way, his set jaw the only answer to Strong's question. Clark, this pathway doesn't lead any place except to the cemetery. I know it. That's where we're going. What in heaven's name is it all about? Why don't you tell me? I want to prove that the whole thing is nonsense before I tell you. I thought you were my friend. I'm friend enough to want to save your reason. Oh, there's an open grave. Now, go ahead. I want to get that space. Clock. Clock. Clock. Helen's grave. It's been opened. What? Her grave clock. It's been opened. You'll find out in a minute. Now, stand back while I dig. Well, let me clock. Let me. No, it ought to be. Not yet. Clark. Clark. The casket's gone. These devils have taken her. My Helen. For their damnable voodoo. No, John. No. Zombie. At breakneck speed, the two men race back to their bungalow. Loma, from the veranda, sees them coming up the pathway and runs to meet them in silence. Clark points to the brush and Loma in the lead breaks into the thick tropic growth. Dusk finds them struggling up the steep slopes of the Cape with that energy born of frenzied fear and nameless horror. Loma holds up his hand. In the strained silence, the men listen to the sharp crack of cane knives on stalks of cane, the crackling of falling cane leaves. Loma motions strong to come forward. He forces aside the sugar cane and stares, horror stricken, into the clearing foam. Helen. Helen. Horrible, Clarke. Ghastly story. You understand now why John acts as he does? And why I wanted you here tonight, then? She was buried alive. Oh, she wasn't buried alive. But she wasn't dead. Yes, she was dead. She was a zombie. A dead person raised from the grave. A body without mind or soul. It's impossible. That's what I said to Loma. No, Helen was dead. Killed by the curse brought on her by Clarissa's jealous hatred and raised from the grave to be a zombie by the. The same voodooism that killed her. Yes. Yes, Clarissima. What happened to her? The natives killed her. And Helen? You. You buried her again? We had a salt. Salt? Yes, salt. If zombies eat anything containing salt, they return to their graves in peace. And you fed her salt? Yes. She. She crumpled up at our feet. Dead. Really dead. Out of deference to people who are still alive, character names in these unsolved mysteries have been changed. Inasmuch as any solution must of necessity be supposition, liberties of time, place and character exist in the solution that will be presented after you have heard from your sponsor. Sa Ladies and gentlemen, the solution for which you've been waiting. Have you really a reasonable explanation of how such a thing could have happened? I'll answer that by asking you a question. Do you think that any explanation of such a ghastly affair could be classified as reasonable? No, I suppose not. Well, it happened. And so I say, how could it happen in the first place? Don't imagine this is an isolated case. So serious is the matter of zombies in the island of Haiti that the government has been compelled to pass the following law. Article 249 of the Cote finale of the Republic of Haiti also shall be qualified as attempted murder the employment which may be made against any person of substances which, without causing actual death, produces a lethargic coma more or less prolonged. If, after the administration of such substances, the person has been buried, the act shall be considered murder, no matter what the result that follows. Then the government thinks that these zombies are people who have been poisoned and who have been certified as dead. And buried while in the state of suspended animation. I mean that they have been given a poison that kills the brain but leaves their motor faculties unimpaired. Between you and me, I don't think that the government really believes that. But after all, how would you try to frame a law against taking corpses out of their graves and making them work in the cane fields? Yes, I see the difficulty there. But just the same, I don't see how even Buddhism can make a corpse walk. Have you ever heard of inanimate objects being moved by the power of mind? Yes, I have. And isn't it possible that the same worker in black magic or voodoo that killed a person by power of mind could take that inanimate object to the corpse and make it move? Do you believe that? Yes, and I'll give you the final proof, at least my way of thinking. What is that? The fact that the natives themselves killed Clarissima, the native girl, because they knew that, with the assistance of the witch doctors, she killed and made a zombie out of Helen.