John From America: John Frum Cargo Cult
- Kalea Gates
- Mar 30
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 5
There has been a viral video circulating on Instagram by the user: janetnewenham. The video depicts what seems to be a cultural gathering performing songs. These songs are automatically captivating with their voices harmonizing, making the watcher yearn for more. I took a look through the comments and noticed a lot of contradicting information surrounding the video. So, I took the time to conduct my own research and came across a very interesting tale about who these people are and why their songs sound so passionate.
What we are seeing in the video are the people of Melanesia. Melanesia is a subregion of Oceania, found north of the continent of Australia. Melanesia is made up of the two Greek words: ‘melos’ and ‘nesos’. Melos, meaning ‘black,’ and Nesos, meaning ‘islands.’ Which describes the melanin-rich people that inhabit those islands.
Melanesia, specifically the island of Vanuatu, experienced European colonization. Not only that, but Americans occupied the island during World War II. When the Americans occupied the island, we saw the emergence of the John Frum Cargo Cult.
What is a Cargo Cult? Cargo Cults have been characterized as spiritual and political movements. Usually surrounding a prophet who foretells a disaster and/or a coming utopia. A belief that the arrival of their ancestors will come in ships or ‘cargoes’ of food and other goods. The name or classification of Cargo Cults is largely unpopular today, but it stands as a metaphor for ‘engaging in ritual action to obtain material goods’.
With the occupation of American troops, there was mass participation of Vanuatu men in the Labor Corps. And because of this, they were sent cargoes filled with food and other goods to help and support them. This had a massive impact on the movement we know today.
Who is John Frum? The name “John Frum” is sometimes referred to as “John Brum” or “John Prum”. The story goes that an American World War II servicemember tells the people that he will bring wealth and prosperity to the people if they follow him. Other iterations recall the man being named “John Broom”, and they believed he would return from a ‘distant land’ and sweep away the White colonizers and return their riches and land. One story, though, depicts a native man named Manehivi who appears to the people in western-styled clothing, assuring them he will bring goods. There have been back-and-forth conversations on who exactly this ‘John Frum’ is. Some weighed in on the idea that this whole story was induced by a psychoactive plant that inhabits the island called Kava. And that this whole story is a manifestation of a new dawn that the people of Vanuatu long for. One without the White colonizers and their land and goods being returned to them. Highlighting that the John Frum story is the embodiment of the sadness and anger that comes from colonization.
The name ‘John Frum’ is said to mean ‘John from anywhere not of Vanuatu origin’.
As of today, you can only find members of the cult in the village of Lamakara. There are less than 500 members left. Of those members, they still await the return of John, and in the meantime, show their devotion through their hymns and giving up material possessions. They celebrate John Frum Day each year in February.
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