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The constructed belief originated in Melanesia after the Pacific War (WWII) where people believed that they were entering a blessed age. The followers of the Cargo Cult believe that the new age would start from the introduction of cargo being delivered from a supernatural entity.
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The label of cargo cult appeared in the colonial news magazine within the issue of Pacific Islands Monthly (anthroencyclopedia 2020), where the term itself started replicating and drew attention to the presence of people with the beliefs of cargoism.
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An overview of the cargo cult in regard to the context revolves around the end of the world announced by a prophet. The world will then be blessed or such, introduced by an entity delivering a type of cargo, hence the background of the cult.
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Within the colonized portions of New Guinea during this time, there were many movements focused on liberation focusing on cargo and supplies to aid people.
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As many countries in the pacific gained their independence, the followers and the beliefs started gaining popularity in tandem with the post-war events occurring at the time. As a result, the ideology started to spread.
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Many different peoples within the Melanesian area adopted the practices of being a post war Cargo Cult. Many focused on social change or independence, developing their own cultural practices as well.
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Since much liberation and social change occurred since after WWII, Cargo Cults started evolving into churches or types of political organizations.
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From the evolution and transition into the modern era, associations with association or connection to Cargo Cults include the Peli Association of the Sepik region, Pomio Kivung and Kaliai movements on Britain (anthroencyclopedia, 2020).