zumbihttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zumbi_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezumbi, n.
Revised 2021

zumbinoun

  1. 1704–
    Chiefly in West and South-west African (esp. Angolan) contexts: the ghost or spirit of a dead person, esp. a malevolent one. Occasionally also Caribbean in later use; cf. zombie n. I.1, jumbie n., duppy n.
    In quot. 2021 in historical context.
    1. 1704
      They prevent the Soul of the dead Person from coming to give the Zumbi [Italian li Zumbi] to any of the future Inhabitants.
      translation of G. Merolla, Voy. Congo ii, in A. Churchill & J. Churchill, Collection of Voyages vol. I. 741/2
    2. 1876
      There was no danger of the Zumbi, or ghost.
      R. F. Burton, Two Trips to Gorilla Land vol. II. 124
    3. 1882
      A libation..to the zumbi or n'zumbi of the other world, by and with whom they always deem themselves surrounded and connected.
      A. Elwes, translation of H. C. de B. Capello & R. Ivens From Benguella to Yacca vol. I. 26
    4. 1986
      The Gullah speakers believe that the spirits of the dead, the zumbi, live among the leaves.
      M. Davis, Forbidden Objects xxi. 202
    5. 2021
      The patients duly offered a banquet to appease the zumbi.
      K. Kananoja, Healing Knowledge in Atlantic Africa i. 41

Originally published as part of the entry for jumbie, n.

zumbi, n. was updated in September 2021.