John Frum Revtalization Movement

John Frum Revitalization Movement
The Revitalization Movement and Salvation Rituals of the South Pacific Melanesians had a particularly interesting effect on colonization. Elements of Christianity make this movement syncretic and highlight the universality of the ideas of salvation and new beginnings. The Melanesian Cargo Cults first became known to the modern world shortly after World War II. The Australian government at the time was already heavily involved in the colonization of New Guinea and its surrounding islands, one of which was Melanesia. With the arrival of Australian colonizers came missionaries and fortune hunters alike. As with many regions of colonization, the Melanesian people soon found themselves under economic and social

There is a certain reverence of American soldiers practiced by the Melanesian elders and villagers in the modern era. The elders will ritually raise American flags, wear soldiers uniforms, and march in military formations. The purpose of these ritualized practices is the subject of debate even amongst the Melanesians themselves. Some believe these rituals are in effect as a reminder or commemoration of the region’s past involvement with American soldiers. The soldiers were the first example of civil cooperation ever witnessed by the nation’s indigenous population. The soldiers also showed the natives kindness previously unseen coming from the white populations. The helped free indigenous people from colonial jails and in some instances gave freely their own possessions to the island's people. The rituals are said by some to be remembrance ceremonies meant to commemorate the the events of the past and to honor those that showed them kindnesses through a troubled time in the island’s history. Others argue that these rituals are a type of salvation ritual meant to usher in an era of prosperity. When the rituals were first started shortly after World War II, there was talk of white men turning black and the oppressive (white) ruling forces being thrown off of the island. This talk in particular captured colonial interested and was a major factor in the criminalization of the John Frum cult and practices. Some believed that by acting like the white man and participating in these rituals that they would usher in the era of prosperity relative to the native people. The name “Cargo Cult” is derived the fervent building of runways and airstrips meant to bring literal and sometimes figurative cargo sent from God down the native