Cargo cults with consequences The   word   "cargo”   stands   for   merchandise and   goods   of   all   types.   During   World   War   II, US   ships   and   airplanes   landed   on   the   small island   of   Tanna   in   the   western,   still   ocean. The   soldiers   generously   distributed   "cargo", namely   chocolate,   cans   of   food,   toys,   etc.   to the   locals.   One   of   the   US   Sergeants   was "John   Frumm"   and   when   the   Americans   left the    island,    he    promised    to    come    back sometime   and   bring   "cargo"   with.   A   "John Frumm    Cargo    Cult",    a    new    religion,    was established on the island of Tanna. The   locals   created   a   primitive   airfield   on   the southern   coast   so   that   in   the   future,   "cargo" could   get   to   them   directly   from   the   sky.   The men   blissfully   tattooed   the   letters   USA   on their    chests.    For    years    they    watched    the coasts    and    the    firmament.   Always    hoping for the return of John Frumm. The    John    Frumm    Cargo    Cult    is    not    an individual    occurrence.    Just    as    the    locals from   Tanna   are   not   at   all   particularly   naive. What         happened         there         happened somewhere    else    as    well.    Where    did    we actually    get    our    ideas    for    cult    garments? Crowns?    Bishop's    crooks    or    angels    with wings?   Who   did   our   ancestors   watch   and imitate?

Cargo Cult