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John Frum Cargo Cult
Season 2 · Episode 62

John Frum Cargo Cult

The story behind one of biggest 'cargo cults' in history

History Dispatches

January 6, 202619m 26s

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Show Notes

On the South Pacific island of Tanna, the locals are waiting for a man to return and save them this man’s name, John Frum. He is the central figure in the most prominent cargo cult in the south pacific, dating to the start of World War Two. But the origins are just as murky as the man himself. This is the story of the John Frum Cargo Cult.

"John Frum He Come" by Edward Rice

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/in-john-they-trust-109294882/

Image: By Leigh Cooney - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flow_My_Tears_John_Frum_Said_-_Painting_by_Leigh_Cooney.jpg


This thumbnail image is titled "Flow My Tears, John Fruma Said" and features Leigh Cooney's interpretation of John Frum as a Christ Figure to represent the absurdity of turning to Gods as a source of answers for aspects of life we don't understand.


History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

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