Cargo Cult.

The cargo cult of New Guinea was still very much alive and living when I was there in the 1950's. Whether the practice still exists I do not know, but at the time alter like structure built of heaped stones on ridges or some prominent spot. The idea developed after the native population observed the allied soldiers constructing markers for the dropping of supplies by parachute.

Various tribal groups took the idea to heart and after the end of hostilities built their own biblical like structures,and surmounted them with carved wooden sculptures in the form of an aircraft. Sometimes the sculptures were constructed from found objects. Whether the images were kept in the spirit house I have never found out, But the wooden ones were often painted and were highly original.

The idea of an after life were departed spirits could supply the living with substance and other useful objects had great attraction. Unfortunately I have never been able to acquire an example.