August Engelhardt

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August Engelhardt (27 November 1875 – 6 May 1919) was a German author and founder of a utopian community in the early 20th century. He is best known for his radical beliefs in coconuts as a sole source of nutrition and his establishment of a nudist colony in the Bismarck Archipelago.

Early Life

Engelhardt was born in Nuremberg, Germany. He studied pharmacy and was influenced by the Lebensreform movement, which advocated for a return to natural living, including vegetarianism, nudism, and natural medicine.

The Coconut Cult

In 1902, Engelhardt traveled to the Bismarck Archipelago, part of modern-day Papua New Guinea, where he purchased a coconut plantation on the island of Kabakon. He believed that coconuts were the perfect food and that consuming them exclusively would lead to a purer, healthier life. Engelhardt's philosophy was based on the idea that humans should live in harmony with nature, and he promoted a lifestyle of nudism and sun-worship.

Kabakon Colony

Engelhardt's colony on Kabakon attracted a small number of followers, mostly from Germany and Switzerland. The community practiced nudism and subsisted primarily on coconuts. Engelhardt's health began to deteriorate due to his restrictive diet, and many of his followers also suffered from malnutrition and disease. Despite these challenges, Engelhardt remained committed to his beliefs until his death in 1919.

Legacy

Engelhardt's life and ideas have been the subject of various literary and historical works. His experiment is often cited as an example of the extreme lengths to which individuals will go in pursuit of utopian ideals. Engelhardt's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of radical dietary and lifestyle changes without scientific backing.

See Also

• Lebensreform
• Nudism
• Vegetarianism
• Utopian community
• Bismarck Archipelago
• Papua New Guinea