John Frum

1
John Frum the Cargo Cult

• One of the more interesting phenomenon
  encountered by the U.S. servicemen stationed in
  the South Pacific was the strange cargo cult of
  John Frum. Primarily based on the New Hebrides
  island of Tanna, the islanders had long believed
  in a legend passed down by their ancients that
  foretold that at some point a mighty god would
  come from the air and the sea to establish a time
  of peace and prosperity. Their legend had also
  claimed that 50,000 warriors were waiting inside
  the volcano, Mount Tukomeru, to lead them into
  victory as well as prosperity.

2
What is a Cargo Cult?

• Cargo cults are usually revivalist, and in some
  cases messianic and millenarian, movements found
  among certain peoples indigenous to Oceania. The
  word cargo refers to foreign goods possessed by
  Europeans cult adherents believe that such goods
  belong to themselves and that, with the help of
  ancestral spirits, the goods can be returned to
  them through magico-religious means. Some cult
  prophets promise that the arrival of cargo will
  herald a period of prosperity and well-being.

3
Symbols

• The most sacred symbol of the Jon Frum movement
  is a red cross. On Jon Frum day prayers and
  flowers are offered at the cross. In addition to
  this members involve themselves in a flag raising
  ceremony and a miltary parade in which they carry
  rifles made of bamboo.

4

• When American servicemen began landing on the
  island during World War II, it strengthened the
  islanders' belief in the prophesy. Bizarre
  ceremonies were held to honor and worship the
  mythical John Frum. Carved figurines of American
  warplanes and military artifacts such as helmets
  and rifles made from bamboo were used as
  religious icons, and the islanders would march in
  parades with "U.S.A." painted, carved or tattooed
  on their chests and backs. Some of them burned
  their money, killed their cattle and abandoned
  their homes, awaiting the new life and world
  promised by the mysterious god.

5

• When the last American G.I. left at the end of
  the war, the islanders gleefully predicted John
  Frum's return. To this day, there are still a
  number of natives who say, "John Frum, he still
  come.

6

• The movement continued to flourish and on
  February 15th 1957 an American flag was raised in
  Sulphur Bay to declare the religion of John Frum
  and it is on this date every year that John Frum
  day is celebrated. During the festivities, the
  elders march in an imitation army a kind of
  military drill mixed with traditional dance. Some
  carry imitation rifles made of bamboo and wear
  American army memorabilia such as caps or
  T-shirts.

7

• Here, John Frum cargo cult members erect a cross
  atop the Yasur Volcano, saluting the billions of
  men under the volcano. Cult members believe a
  U.S. soldier named John Frum will return from
  heaven and distribute the white man's cargo to
  them.