Available online
Description
The only existing film of Melanesian cargo cults was produced by David Attenborough in I960. He visited the island of Tanna in the South Pacific and interviewed some of the leaders of the cult. He ...was able to photograph gates and crosses and "radio masts" which are part of the John Frum cult on the island. John Frum is a large white man whom the people of Tanna believe will shortly be coming to the island bringing the "cargo", which means wealth and prosperity for the islanders and a reversal of the existing social order, where white people, missionaries, traders and planters, have effective control. In this programme, extracts from this film are shown and analysed by Professor Peter Worsley, author of The Trumpet Shall Sound, a standard sociological work on cargo cults.
The only existing film of Melanesian cargo cults was produced by David Attenborough in I960. He visited the island of Tanna in the South Pacific and interviewed some of the leaders of the cult. He ...was able to photograph gates and crosses and "radio masts" which are part of the John Frum cult on the island. John Frum is a large white man whom the people of Tanna believe will shortly be coming to the island bringing the "cargo", which means wealth and prosperity for the islanders and a reversal of the existing social order, where white people, missionaries, traders and planters, have effective control. In this programme, extracts from this film are shown and analysed by Professor Peter Worsley, author of The Trumpet Shall Sound, a standard sociological work on cargo cults.
| Module code and title: | D101, Making sense of society |
|---|---|
| Item code: | D101; 24 |
| First transmission date: | 14-08-1975 |
| Published: | 1975 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:23:58 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | C Falkner |
| Contributor: | Peter Worsley |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Film extracts; Island of Tanna; John Frum cult; Melanesian cargo cults; Reversal of social order |
| Footage description: | Worsley introduces the programme and leads into Attenborough's film. This shows Attenborough in the studio explaining 'cargo Cults', how and where they originate etc. He concentrates on the island of Tanna, and John Frum. Worsley analyses Attenborough's explanation, explaining where he feels it is inaccurate or insufficient. The next film sequence shows the outside trappings of the Frum cult, crosses, shrines etc. Attenborough talks to an Australian copra trader about the cult, especially the Tanna army. Worsley comments on the attitudes revealed. Attenborough interviews a cult member about John Frum. The final film sequence shows Attenborough talking to the leader of the cult, and drawing his conclusions. Worsley discusses the cargo cult phenomenon showing how it arose, how it fits in with Melanesian society and thinking. Credits. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/71736 |
| Production number: | 00525_2176 |
| Videofinder number: | 1682 |
| Available to public: | no |
