Which religion gained ground in mass culture due to its association with zombies, dolls and black magic?

Haitian Vodou is an African diasporic religion that developed in Haiti between the 16th and 19th centuries. Vodou revolves around spirits known as lwa.

An initiatory tradition, Vodouists usually meet to venerate the lwa in an "ounfò" (temple), run by an "oungan" (priest) or "manbo" (priestess). A central ritual involves practitioners drumming, singing, and dancing to encourage a lwa to possess one of their members and thus communicate with them. Offerings to the lwa include fruit, liquor, and sacrificed animals. Offerings are also given to the spirits of the dead. Several forms of divination are utilized to decipher messages from the lwa.

One of the most sensationalised aspects of Haitian religion is belief in zombis. Various scholars describe Vodou as one of the world's most maligned and misunderstood religions. Its reputation is notorious: it has been widely associated with sorcery, witchcraft, and black magic.

The U.S. occupied Haiti between 1915 and 1934. This encouraged international interest in Vodou. Some practitioners arranged shows based on Vodou rituals to entertain holidaymakers.