On the island of Tanna in Vanuatu, John Frum isn’t a real person: but he’s worshipped as if he were. Islanders imagine him as a white American, often portrayed as a World War II soldier, who promises wealth and prosperity to those who follow him. His story is part of the larger phenomenon of cargo cults, in which indigenous communities adopt outsiders’ rituals in the hopes of attracting the same “cargo” these visitors brought.
The first recorded cargo cult appeared in Fiji in the late 1800s. While many of these movements have faded, some remain active today, like the John Frum cult. Over time, they’ve blended traditional customs with modern ideas, giving islanders a way to celebrate their culture and quietly resist outside influence.
Click on and step inside a world where planes are gods, rituals promise riches, and belief itself can reshape reality.