Mao's Mango Cult

After Mao Zedong gifted mangoes to workers during China's Cultural Revolution, a mango cult developed, with workers preserving mangoes in formaldehyde and making wax mango replicas. Workers worshipped mangoes, holding processions that celebrated them and equating them with Mao’s image. One dentist who compared the mangoes to sweet potatoes in appearance was executed.

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