Russian folkloric references to reanimated corpses

[Leigh Kimmel]

I'm looking for terms a Russian in the middle of the 20th century might use to refer to a reanimated corpse. I'm writing a story set in besieged Leningrad for a horror anthology, and I'm trying to avoid the term "zombie," which is specifically Afro-Caribbean in etymology and cultural association.

It doesn't necessarily have to be traditional or "high" folklore -- even the sort of stories kids use to scare each other spitless on a dark night would do just as well. The biggest thing is to try to get a term that doesn't jar the reader with associations of voodoo and the like.

Thanks in advance.

--
Leigh Kimmel -- writer, artist, historian and bookseller
leighkimmel at yahoo.com     http://www.leighkimmel.com/
http://www.billionlightyearbookshelf.com/
http://www.amazon.com/shops/starshipcat/




      

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