Untangling the religious features of the Johnson Cult of New Hanover Island in the New Ireland province: anthropology and indigenous societies since Charles Darwin and others

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to trace the religious aspects of the Johnson Cult as they were conceived and have undergone change and diffusion since 1963. In highlighting the religious aspects of the Johnson Cult, it is intended to make reference to several issues. First, this paper compliments the political, economic, and social aspects of the movement which were covered by Billings (Cargo Cult as Theater: Political Performance in the Pacific. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2002) and others. The religious aspects of the Johnson Cult, some of which the adherents held back from disclosing to Billings for a number of reasons, were not captured in the study. This study highlights how in the religious aspects of the Johnson Cult are contained a continued search for sustainable and modern technological development for an indigenous Lavongai society, a Lavongai dream of a transformation of New Hanover into a Garden of Eden paradise as portrayed by Christianity. Second, as can be seen from the study by Billings, it is shown that anthropology can benefit from taking on a new approach in the study of indigenous societies, with more collaboration between outsider scientists and indigenous society insider scientists.