Collector Gallery
Tiki Mug Design
King Mushooka
aka Cargo Cult Native Mug in 2 collections
Designed by Mike Wellins. This sculpture is of King Mushooka, the most revered King of the Koopa Ki tribe. The Koopa Ki tribe was one of the fiercest tribes of headhunters to inhabit the countless unnamed islands of the South Pacific. The Koopa Ki were one of a few primitive tribes to exhibit traits of what is referred to as a cargo cult which dates back to the early 1800s. Cargo cults are any primitive people who have had no contact with modern societies. When these tribes encounter modern people they ultimately assume that the encounter is a mystical and godly visitation. Usually, these visitations were brief which added to the mystery of the experience. Often allied forces would stop to get water, meet up with refueling vehicles or perhaps dump unused or exhausted equipment. These tribes, still rooted in the Stone Age, assume that these advanced technologies, like canned food, lighters, radios, and flashlights were mystical and ultimately worshiped them as sacred objects as well as revering their deliverers as Gods. The Koopa Ki had a brief encounter with US troops in WWII. Military personnel in the South Pacific were combing every island looking for enemy bases and installations, strategic locations or strategic materials for the war effort.