Pressure Points discussed Cargo Cults in S5E12 - Cargo Cults - listen now!
Cargo cults are a fascinating and complex phenomenon that emerged in Melanesia in the early 20th century. These movements are characterized by a belief in the imminent arrival of a new age of blessing, initiated by the appearance of a special "cargo" of goods from supernatural sources. They are based on the observation by local residents of the delivery of supplies to colonial officials. The cargo is expected to come through foreigners, who are sometimes accused of intercepting material goods intended for the native peoples. Tribal divinities, cultural heroes, or ancestors may also be expected to return with the cargo.
The origins of cargo cults are complex and multifaceted. Western sociologists specializing in Melanesian religions say that all the cargo cults are based on a curious mixture of native and Christian beliefs and rituals. Some scholars argue that cargo cults are a misunderstanding of the systems involved in resource distribution and an attempt to acquire such goods in the wake of interrupted trade. However, many practitioners focus on sustaining and creating new social relationships rather than simply receiving material goods.
Cargo cults led by prophets claiming a new revelation appeared in the late 19th century, caught public attention in the Papuan "Vailala Madness" in 1919, and increased by the score from the 1930s, especially in marginal and undeveloped areas. In growing numbers, they have been observed in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands. The consensus amongst scholars is that such movements are more nuanced than simply a belief in the arrival of cargo, noting that a complex mix of indigenous and Christian beliefs often characterizes them.
The traditional practice of building wooden aircraft and control towers to attract real airplanes with cargo to the island no longer exists, but some elderly cult members still remember imitating the white soldiers they had observed during their first contact with Western civilization. Cargo cults have survived in various forms throughout Melanesia, and some of them have become tourist attractions. The John Frum cult on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu is one of the most well-known cargo cults and still exists today. The cult developed around the possibly mythical prophet John Frum, who came to the island in the 1930s. The islanders believed that he was the incarnation of one of their gods. During World War II, the John Frum cult adopted "cargo" characteristics, probably from the arrival of the American forces and their vast wealth of goods.
Cargo cults are a fascinating example of the intersection of religion, culture, and colonialism. They offer a unique insight into how indigenous peoples have responded to the arrival of Western goods and ideas and attempted to make sense of the complex social and economic changes that have accompanied colonialism. While cargo cults are often dismissed as primitive or irrational, they offer a unique perspective on how people have attempted to make sense of the world around them and how they have tried to create new social and cultural forms in response to the challenges of colonialism.
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