) | any of various native religious cults of a millenarian and messianic character located in the southwestern Pacific islands, holding that spirits will bring large cargoes of modern goods for distribution among its adherents. |
| cargo cult | |
noun | |
| 1. | (Melanesia) the followers of one of several millenarian cults that believe salvation will come in the form of wealth ('cargo') brought by westerners; some ascribe divine attributes to westerners on first contact (especially to missionaries) |
| 2. | a religious cult that anticipates a time of joy, serenity, and justice when salvation comes |