CLASSIC: The Duke of Edinburgh is Literally a God in Vanuatu
Summary
Hosts Noel and Ben explore Pacific cargo cults, where islanders worshipped WWII soldiers and modern goods as divine gifts. They detail the John Frum movement and the Prince Philip cult on Tana Island, where locals viewed the royal as a deity. The episode examines how these beliefs emerged from cultural clashes and concludes by asking listeners how they would react if worshipped as a god.
Topics discussed
Intro: The Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Philip
The Atlas of Remote Islands and Pacific History
Cargo Cults and the John Frum Movement
WWII Encounters and Indigenous Beliefs
Japanese Forces and the Mansren Prophecy
The Prince Philip Cult on Tana Island
Ethical Dilemmas and Meeting the 'God'
Outro and Sponsor Messages
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