Vagabonds: Anthology of the Mad Ones Vagabonds Vol. 3 | Page 26

Aitutaki, Cook Islands, was a long way away from Tanna in
Vanuatu, where the cult formed after an American serviceman dressed in
Navy whites named “John” came during World War II, bearing gifts,
mostly canned goods and processed meals.
Including “Spam” (™)!
As the legend goes, when everyone asked “Where Is John From?”
the fledgling cult supplied a suitably outlandish surname: Frum.
They all are still awaiting John Frum’s second coming armed with
profits and plenty.
Thus, one of the world’s most used conversation starters might have
also been the origination of one of the world’s strangest wacko religions:
“The John Frum Cargo Cult.”
One of the main beliefs of all cargo cults is that if the proper
ceremonies were held, uncounted riches would be lavishly sent from some
heavenly place. John Frum represented the spirits of their dead ancestors,
and the “European” colonialists who had usurped their wealth, but were
still willing to return it. The cargo cult members built modest replicas of
airports and planes out of twigs to try to activate shipments of numinous
cargo out of thin air.
John Frum devotees are more patriotic “Americans” than your
average Joe in Guam, an actual American protectorate, even if most of the
islands upon which they live are independent nations tied to the French or
Australians, many of them with tattoos on their chests and backs saying
“USA”!
Even today, in parts widely stretching from New Guinea to Vanuatu,
such products as “John Fromm Soap” can be found, as well as vintage
cans of “Campbell’s Soup” and antique bottles of “Coca-Cola.”
Not to mention, expired “Pringles” and “Milo.”
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