How to Celebrate John Frum Day

John Frum is a mythological figure--part WWI-era American GI, part Uncle Sam, part Santa Claus--who is associated with the cargo cult that bears his name on the island of Tana in Vanuatu in the South Pacific. His worship, which is very active today and in fact marked its 50th anniversary in 2007, is composed of two parts: the first part celebrates a return to native (known as "kastom") ways, and the second part consists of attempting to enact rituals and create artifacts reminiscent of the US troops and Red Cross workers who occupied a nearby island during WWII. It is thought that these rituals and artifacts will somehow trigger the return of John Frum himself, who will arrive bearing gifts of cargo. John Frum is celebrated on February 15 every year with parades, feasting, dancing and south sea island fun.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A south sea island, reasonable facsimile and/or very good imagination
• Bamboo and cardboard from which to construct your cargo artifacts
• An old T-shirt and markers to create your own "Tanna Army" uniform

1. Hop on a plane and fly to Tana (chances are you'll have to change planes more than a few times) if you can swing it to experience the real John Frum deal. If not, don't fear, you can celebrate in your own way (perhaps asking the cargo gods to bring you a plane ticket for next year).

2. Go native. Get out of those western-style clothing--John Frum does not approve of pantyhose or neckties. A muumuu, sarong or even grass skirt might be more appropriate, or you can even celebrate in the altogether as long as you stay indoors where it's warm.

3. Get an old white T-shirt and letter it "T-A USA"--this will be your Tanna Army uniform. Now paint your face up in your closest approximation or war paint and stage your own parade as the real Tanna Army (an entirely non-violent organization) does every February 15.

4. Make your own cargo cult artifacts to simulate the material objects of your desire (perhaps those plane tickets?). John Frum true believers often use bamboo, cardboard and other available materials to create mockups of military warplanes, helmets and rifles in order to bring about the return of the notoriously generous GI's, but you can get creative in your own way. Perhaps making some little plates and food items out of clay so someone will take you out for a nice dinner? Or you could just cut up little green pieces of paper and write large numbers on them in hopes that it will attract great wealth. Results may not be instantaneous--on Tana they've been waiting over 60 years for their cargo, but it's all about the ritual.

5. Feast, sing, dance and drink. Whatever and wherever John Frum may be, he certainly enjoys a good party, and it is certain that he'd want you to enjoy one, too.

Tips & Warnings

• Coincidentally, John Frum day just happens to fall on another major holiday (at least for me--Leftover Valentine's Candy Goes On Sale for 50 percent Off Day (feel free to incorporate Whitman's samplers into your cargo rituals for a holiday "twofer").
• Vanuatu was ranked as number one on the Happy Planet Index's list of happiest places on earth (see Resources below).

Resources

• Happy Planet Index

[joycetmann]

on 6/13/2009 Fascinating article on something I never heard of. How novel. thanks! 5*