What is the John Frum ritual?
The island’s John Frum movement is a classic example of what anthropologists have called a “cargo cult”—many of which sprang up in villages in the South Pacific during World War II, when hundreds of thousands of American troops poured into the islands from the skies and seas.
Why did cargo cult grow in PNG?
In an outburst of cargo cult activity after World War II, people in various parts of PNG ceased hunting, fishing and working in the gardens in the belief that their ancestors would arrive with food. When the Administration failed to do so, he formed an influential cargo cult movement.
Where does the term cargo cult come from?
The concept of cargo cults emerged in response to European colonialism in the Melanesian region of the South Pacific. The idea of “cargo cults” refers to indigenous spiritual practices integrated with Western economy and trade goods. Well-known cargo cults emerged during the First and Second World Wars.
Why do members of the John Frum movement raise the American flag every day?
In exchange for this, the locals would receive all “cargo” destined for them. Every day in Lamakara village, followers of the cult raise the U.S. flag that symbolises power and material wealth still owned by Westerners. According to the local myths, John Frum is to return on the 15th February with “cargo”.
What is cargo cult thinking?
Cargo cult thinking is the belief that if we simply emulate the visible effects of achievement, the real achievement will follow automatically. Especially, when the initial results look promising, we tend to think we are skilled, while in reality, we are lucky. The term cargo cult was first coined after World War II.
What happened to Yali?
Yali died on 26 September 1975 at Sor, living just long enough to witness the declaration of Papua New Guinean independence from Australia.
When did the cargo cult start?
Cargo cult—the term—appeared in 1945, at the end of the Pacific War.