When Western Man is A Saviour
Cargo Cults
Hello and Happy Tuesday,
Let’s dive right in 👇
What’s a cargo cult?
"Cargo cult" isn't just a catchy phrase—it’s a social phenomenon.
Think of tribal societies, probably with a spear or two, suddenly encountering the advanced wonders of Western civilization.
These "cargos," Western-manufactured goods, weren’t just seen as cool trinkets; they were considered divine gifts, delivered straight from the heavens.
Though the mentions of such movements were as early as 19th century Fiji, it was WW2 that really put cargo cults on the global radar. It rose to prominence in the Southwest Pacific for 2 reasons:
War material was accidentally dropped on the islands on the way to the troops stationed nearby.
Japanese and American soldiers were stationed on these lands. In exchange for guidance around the islands, these soldiers bartered with food, medicine, clothing, and sometimes, weapons.
But as with all good things, 1945 marked a halt to this unexpected prosperity. And what do humans do when the going gets tough? They innovate. In this case, they crafted rituals in the hopes of beckoning back the glorious cargo days.
Some other Cargo Cult beliefs:
Central theme: the world is coming to an end. Thereafter God, the ancestors or some local culture hero will appear and inaugurate a blissful paradise on earth.
A Westerner is considered to be a spiritual being with magical powers.
Cargo = God's Love: What better way for the divine to shower love than through bountiful cargo?
Locals engage in rituals similar to European customs believed to be the source of the white man’s power such as sitting around tables with bottles of flowers in front of them, dressing in European clothes, waiting for the cargo ship or airplane to materialize.
A belief that they were the chosen people is further reinforced by their reading of the Bible.
Case study: The John Frum Movement
John Frum (anthropologists believe the US soldier said I’m John from America but since the locals didn’t speak any English, they thought he said his name was John Frum) is a religious figure in the island of Tanna in Vanuatu (Vanuatu is also good for crypto taxes just FYI 😂).
John Frum, perhaps a mere mortal to some, became a religious icon on this island.
Although the inkling of this belief predates WW2, the arrival of resource-rich soldiers was seen as undeniable proof of John Frum's blessings.
Today, this cult is alive and kicking. They await John Frum's return, marking February 15th as the sacred "John Frum Day." The legacy is so profound there's even a political party in his name.
To find out more
David Attenborough went on a trip to one of the Pacific islands to meet the followers of John Frum in the old archives at the BBC.
An interesting anthropological dive into cargo cults here.
And before I sign off, here’s a quirky tidbit—Vanuatu's not just about cargo cults. It's also a hotspot for crypto tax breaks (don’t ask me how I know).
Have a good week!
Rima