![]() ![]() Colonial authorities at the time, however, presumed that deceitful tricksters dressed the part to fool their neighbors, perhaps as a strategy to attract girlfriends. Others insist that he always was a spirit, or has since resumed spiritual form. Pilgrims who met him where he first appeared at Green Point (in 1940 and probably earlier) claim to have shaken his hand. ![]() ![]() Some claim that he was human, spoke local languages in a high voice, and wore European-style clothing. Multiple stories circulate about his advent in the late 1930s. Islanders argue that John Frum himself founded his movement. Since the 1930s, the John Frum Movement has become one of Tanna’s most powerful religious and political organizations. Spiritual encounters on the island remain common as ancestors appear to their descendants, or as people bump into nonhuman spirits who inhabit sacred places and other island apparitions. John Frum, at least today, is a spirit who appears to his followers, often in their dreams, to teach them how to live properly and, sometimes, to predict future events. It endures today institutionalized as a church and a political party. Tanna Island’s John Frum Movement in the New Hebrides (Vanuatu today), which arose in the late 1930s, is one of the most notable and successful of these movements. The colonialization of the Pacific Islands, as elsewhere, sparked numerous resistance movements. The organization headquartered at Sulphur Bay split into three factions: Fred Nase’s, Isaac Wan’s (who moved nearby to Lamakara Village), and remnant members who remained in Ipikel village.Ģ000s: Sulphur Bay (and Friday night John Frum dances) continued to attract attention from international tourists, whose numbers have much increased. February 15 became the Movement’s annual holiday during which supporters raise actual American flags.ġ970s: John Frum supporters engaged in political action, mostly in support of the “Moderate” (French-supported) parties as the New Hebrides moved towards independence in 1980.1998: Song Keasipai of the John Frum Party was elected to the National Parliament.Ģ000: (Prophet) Fred Nase established the Unity Movement, attracting both Christian and John Frum followers. military officers arrived on Tanna to arrest Green Hill John Frum leader Neloiag and dozens of his followers who were clearing an airfield.ġ944 (December): James Nicol died in an automobile accident John Frum supporters were unsurprised.1957 (January): Movement leaders Nakomaha and Thomas Nampas were released from confinement and returned home to Sulphur Bay.ġ957 (February 15): Nakomaha and Nampas raised “American flags” (apparently red warning flags scavenged from fuel dumps during the War) to celebrate John Frum’s success. military native labor corps.ġ943 (October): New Hebrides Defense Force members accompanied by U.S. Many Tannese, including John Frum supporters, joined the U.S. 1940 (November): British District Agent James Nicol conducted inquiry into theft of goats to feed people gathered at Green Point (southwest Tanna) who were meeting and dancing for John Frum. This was the first administrative record of John Frum’s name.ġ941 (May 11): Only a few Presbyterian Mission converts attended Sunday services many Catholics and Seventh-day Adventists also boycotted their churches.ġ941 (June 1): Police reinforcements from Port Vila arrest suspect John Frum leaders including Jack Kahu, Karua, and Manehevi, among others.ġ941 (July): John Frum’s spiritual sons (Isaac Wan, Jacob, and Last Wan) appeared to Ipikel village children (on Sulphur Bay).ġ941-1956: Condominium authorities continued to arrest, exile from Tanna, and/or jail John Frum leaders Colonial authorities changed course in 1956 to no longer treat the movement as subversive.ġ942 (March): American forces landed at Port Vila and established military outposts around Efate Island, including a major airport. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |