Let's Fire Up Those Neurons!

Almost done. Phew! Two more to go. Price of being lazy.

 

Not so fun for me. I've forgotten what half the images meant. I'm working out the clues from the answers!

 

Answer to #6640

Hans Christian Andersen, Danish author, prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, best remembered for his fairy tales.

Left to right, top to bottom --

Image 1: Lego, a Danish company
Image 2: Thumb, reference to Thumbelina, a popular fairy tale
Image 3: Danish pastries!
Image 4: The little mermaid, another of Andersen's fairy tales
Image 5: Once Upon A Time, a TV show based on classic fairy tales
Image 6: A fairy
Image 7: Stacked mattresses, a reference to the fairy tale, The Princess and The Pea
Image 8: Winter's Tale. Keyword 'tale'

 

Answer to #7588

The 'John Frum' Cargo Cult

During WW II, previously uncontacted tribes on certain Pacific islands got their first exposure to "civilization" via US military bases. The military brought food and supplies (cargo) and handed them out to the tribes. When the war ended and the soldiers left, cults formed that built runways, mimicked army drills, and even built straw planes to try and bring back the "Gods" that gave them food, medicine, and supplies. John Frum is a figure associated with cargo cults on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu. He is often depicted as an American World War II serviceman who will bring wealth and prosperity to the people if they follow him.

Image 1: An archipelago. Vanuatu is an island nation in the South Pacific ocean.
Image 2: US soldiers raising the American flag at Iwo Jima. Iconic WWII image. Reference to the WWII US military connection.
Image 3: Scientology. Reference to the keyword 'cult' or 'religion'.
Image 4: Volcano. Mount Yasur is a volcano on Tanna Island, Vanuatu. It is a sacred place for the followers of the 'John Frum' cult.
Image 5: 'Cargo' pants.
Image 6: Runway. The followers of the cult build symbolic runways to attract the 'gods' back to the island.

I came across this fascinating piece of history in the documentary, 'Into the Inferno' by Werner Herzog. Enjoyed it. Recommended.

 

Oku cargo cult

They modeled it on the real cargo cults!