1. Cargo Cult

Phenomena observed in some Oceanic societies where people have ritualized the delivery of cargo during World War Two.

As American forces island hopped across the South Pacific, they frequently established bases on islands that hitherto had little outside contact. Tons of cargo (canned food, clothing, vehicles, prefabricated buildings, etc.) were brought in by ship and plane. During the war, many islanders were hired by Americans to do various tasks, and were exposed to the daily activities of the sailors. But just a suddenly as the cargo appeared when the outsiders arrived, the cargo vanished when the war came to an end.

The cargo cults emulate the dress and actions of the sailors and soldiers, in order to have the cargo return. Cultists will don fragments of vintage uniforms, wear carved wood headphones, wave flags, set up bamboo antennas, and scan the skies with simulated binoculars. Cultists hope that by replicating the actions and artifacts of World War Two, they can get the cargo to return.

Cargo cults are not new. Native American and South American tribes were seen to adopt similar customs. Some Anthropologists argue that the cargo cults served to eradiate traditional religious practices on these islands. However, it is not known whether the trappings of the cargo cultists (aircraft replicas, etc.) serve as a modern, surrogate tiki idol.




Updated August 10, 2004