On the Tiny Pacific Island Where They Worship American Materialism - VICE

This was the birth of the cargo cult movement—a religion that revolves around worshipping material goods. All over Melanesia, these groups performed elaborate rituals with the hope they could attract the spirit god's attention and be delivered material wealth of their own—even building goods they'd seen the US army use. Runways were carved into the earth, makeshift planes cobbled together on the tarmac.

Many of these cults fizzled out after a few decades, but on the remote island of Tanna in Vanuatu, a fairly unique version of a cargo cult still exists. The members are holding out the hope that a man named John Frum is going to coordinate the American army to deliver a bunch of cargo goods which would solve all their problems… but only if they worship the US hard enough.
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But Chief Isak's faith puts him in the minority. After getting to know people on Tanna, Sherry realised that while no one was going to out right say they didn't believe in John Frum anymore, people questioning the movement. "There is this environment of 'we're all in this together'," she says, "but you soon realise they are questioning everything—just like everyone—and are looking for better opportunities."But Chief Isak's faith puts him in the minority. After getting to know people on Tanna, Sherry realised that while no one was going to out right say they didn't believe in John Frum anymore, people questioning the movement. "There is this environment of 'we're all in this together'," she says, "but you soon realise they are questioning everything—just like everyone—and are looking for better opportunities."

On the Tiny Pacific Island Where They Worship American Materialism - VICE