posted on February 16, 2007 08:22:02 AM new
By Nick Squires in Lamakara
Last Updated: 2:04am GMT 16/02/2007
As global public opinion sours towards the United States, Americans weary of the relentless negativity can take heart from an exotic corner of the South Pacific.
The US's standing in the world may have plummeted under President George W Bush, but a bizarre cargo cult in the Vanuatu island nation holds America in god-like esteem.
The Jon Frum movement celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding yesterday with a lavish feast in which village men dressed up as US soldiers and marched in front of a giant Stars and Stripes flag on a bamboo pole.
Miniature American flags festooned trees lining the black sand parade ground which forms the focus of Lamakara village, the headquarters of the cult, on the jungle island of Tanna.
Older men dressed as officers marshalled the crowd of several thousand cult devotees, while 50 young men shouldered their bamboo rifles and came to attention in a perfectly orchestrated drill.
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The letters USA were daubed across their chests and backs in red paint as they paraded beneath a relentless tropical sun, a drill sergeant barking orders in Bislama, Vanuatu pidgin English.
A tin band and small boys with bamboo flutes played The Star Spangled Banner against a background of roars from nearby Mount Yasur, a live volcano in which the spirit of Jon Frum is said to live. "For us, America is very good," said village chief Isaac Wan, 67, the leader of the cargo cult, barefoot but dressed in a smart American naval officer's uniform and sitting under a large US flag.
"There's a friendship between Tanna people and America from the war. When they came here looking for people to help them build airstrips and carry their supplies, we gave them 1,000 men."
The origins of the cult date back to the 1930s, when Britain and France jointly ran what was then the colony of New Hebrides.
Tanna's inhabitants bridled at colonial rule and the missionaries who badgered them to embrace Christianity, stop drinking the mildly narcotic drink kava and abandon other customary ways, known in pidgin English as kastom.
Village elders tell of how a mysterious outsider came to their forbears in a series of apparitions, telling them to go back to their traditional ways. The idea of a messiah-like outsider was given a huge boost during the Second World War, when hundreds of Tannese men were recruited by the Americans to build roads, airstrips and bases. They were impressed by the large amounts of cargo – tanks, weapons, medicine and food – brought by the US military. The shadowy spirit figure they already believed in gradually assumed a name and a nationality – Jon Frum is believed to be a contraction of John From America, a reference perhaps to a soldier who showed particular generosity.
The movement was officially founded on Feb 15, 1957, to celebrate the release of cult leaders who had been imprisoned by the ruling Anglo-French authorities. For the last 50 years cultists have clung to the belief that by dressing up as GIs and venerating US symbols they can somehow tempt back the wartime cargo.
In a thatched hut in the centre of the village a cult shrine says: Jon Promise America – One Day He'll Be Returning.
"When I talk to liberals, I don't expect them to understand my positions on various issues. I spend most of my time trying to help them understand their own." —Mike Adams
posted on February 16, 2007 08:37:33 AM newAre they sending troops to Iraq or Afghanistan ???
I was wondering the same thing.
But then again these people are in a cult so they probably have been brainwashed.
the headquarters of the cult, on the jungle island of Tanna.
I wonder how often they get news reports out there. But we can see they live in the past just like some on the right.
For the last 50 years cultists have clung to the belief that by dressing up as GIs and venerating US symbols they can somehow tempt back the wartime cargo.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
posted on February 16, 2007 08:38:41 AM new
Really must be difficult for the two of you to live in a country you hate.
"When I talk to liberals, I don't expect them to understand my positions on various issues. I spend most of my time trying to help them understand their own." —Mike Adams
posted on February 16, 2007 08:43:56 AM new
From what I've seen in here , bear, it's the libs who love America and their fellow Americans(no matter what their net worth)...and it's the neocons and their rush to Fascism that hate the U.S.
posted on February 16, 2007 09:20:24 AM newReally must be difficult for the two of you to live in a country you hate
I like where I live. But I guess it must be really difficuly for you to live period. You better not get yourself all worked up the, we dont want you to start flat-lining.
BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP. To late.
What's the matter Bear, do you not like it that we have picked apart your story about a little jungle country in the middle of nowhere.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
posted on February 16, 2007 09:34:23 AM new
Years ago we watched a documentary where they went in and filmed a tribe that had no previous contact with the rest of the world. One of the villagers was given a Bic pen and he stuck it through his nose and he was immediately revered by the rest of the tribe. I know this doesn't relate to this topic...... it's just something I remembered while reading this.
posted on February 16, 2007 01:34:31 PM new
"Really must be difficult for the two of you to live in a country you hate."
I cannot begin to tell you how often I have thought exactly the same thing about so many on the radical left, Bear.
Sometimes to the point that I wish we could send them to the countries they appear to always favor over our own. Let them experience what life could be like for them. THEN maybe they could appreciate what America has always represented/stands for - for a change.
But reality is that will never happen. I just hope their anti-American cult doesn't do so much damage to American values that it is no longer the America our founding fathers gave their blood, sweat and tears to fight for, so that we could enjoy the 'fruits' of their enormous sacrifices.
posted on February 16, 2007 02:29:03 PM new
I like where I live.
Well you surely dont act like it.
Craw & LD would you still feel the same way about the war on terrorist had Klinton had the balls to act the same way Pres Bush has?
"When I talk to liberals, I don't expect them to understand my positions on various issues. I spend most of my time trying to help them understand their own." —Mike Adams
posted on February 16, 2007 03:29:17 PM new
"""Sometimes to the point that I wish we could send them to the countries they appear to always favor over our own. Let them experience what life could be like for them. THEN maybe they could appreciate what America has always represented/stands for - for a change. ""
Then feel free to send me money so I can get there...
My choices :
Netherlands
France
Germany
Austria
Sweden
England
Scotland
Greenland
""From what I've seen in here , linduh, it's the libs who love America and their fellow Americans(no matter what their net worth)...and it's the neocons and their rush to Fascism that hate the U.S.
posted on February 16, 2007 05:17:43 PM newWell you surely dont act like it.
Is that because I am not a sock puppet like you and the rest of you on the radical right because I do not bow down and kiss Bush's feet?
I know how difficult it must be for you and your fellow righties to live in a country in which you are in the minority right now.
If you dont like living in a country that has different cultures and people, maybe you should go live with brainwashed cult on the jungle island. I am sure you can teach them your CANADIAM language and be revered.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
