What is a key concept of cargo cults in Melanesia?

Cargo cults in Melanesia are primarily characterized by the belief that Western goods and wealth are not simply products of capitalist economies, but rather gifts provided by ancestral spirits or deities. Followers of these cults often interpret the arrival of goods from Western societies as evidence of divine favor or supernatural intervention. They believe that by performing rituals or adhering to certain practices, they can attract these goods to their communities.

This perception highlights a broader social and cultural context wherein local groups engage in a syncretic blending of their traditional beliefs with the influences of colonialism and globalization. Cargo cults emerged as a response to the disruptions and changes brought about by Western contact, illustrating an attempt to connect traditional Melanesian belief systems to the new realities they faced.