After Chairman Mao 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.
After Mao Zedong received mangoes from the Pakistani foreign minister, mangoes became a sign of loyalty to Mao. Rallies were organized honoring mangoes. Half a million people greeted mango replicas when they arrived in Chengdu. One man compared a mango to a sweet potato and was executed.