One definition of "cargo cult" that I found: "Typically, all cargo cults begin when someone claims that, through a dream or vision, supernatural powers have told him or her that a messiah and the ancestors or spirits of the dead will soon return bringing huge supplies of manufactured goods.
Their arrival will usher in a wonderful new era when the believers will have their identity, dignity, and honor restored. Inequality, suffering, and death will cease. The riches of those they think have so far monopolized wealth and defrauded them of their share will then belong to the cultists.
Sounds distressingly familiar.
There are many iterations of Cargo Cults.. Like the evolution of religious memes of human evolution.. If carried thru back to orgination some people observe a muddy pool of proteins.. others observe variations of that orgination.. and yet others demur from carrying back the "Cargo" that far.. and leave the origination to some other random happenstance..
The meme of "GOD" then is implied.. What is God?.. remains.. Humans as opposed to "other" primates invented God as a concept.. then promply got scared and disinvented him/it.. Disassembling GOD I see as monkeys(say chimps) trying to understand a Rolex watch.. It is shiny.. makes noise, appears very unnatural, and makes MOVEMENTS.. There are also other chimps in the trees watching the inspecting chimps wondering what they are doing.. what the big deal is..
***...a messiah and the ancestors or spirits of the dead will soon return bringing huge supplies of manufactured goods. ***
If I remember my history, it began as a result of south sea islanders being invaded by US military bringing tanks, planes and all sort of goods to to support the men and fight the Japanese.
When the job was done the military left. The islanders, desiring the return of the goods began the Cargo Cult in hopes of having the “gods” return with these goodies.