About Afrikaburn
Afrikaburn: A Celebration of Creativity and Community
Afrikaburn is a South African Burning Man event that celebrates the power of collaboration and community. It is an annual gathering that takes place in the Tankwa Karoo, a semi-desert region located in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. The event brings together people from all walks of life to create a temporary city where they can express themselves freely, connect with others, and experience art, music, performance, and other forms of creative expression.
The first Afrikaburn took place in 2007 with just over 1,000 participants. Since then, it has grown steadily each year to become one of the most popular events on the South African cultural calendar. In 2019, over 13,000 people attended Afrikaburn from all over the world.
What makes Afrikaburn unique is its emphasis on collaboration and community building. Unlike other festivals where attendees are passive spectators or consumers of entertainment, at Afrikaburn everyone is encouraged to participate actively in creating the event itself. This means that attendees are not just there to watch performances or admire art installations but are also expected to contribute their own creativity and energy to make the event come alive.
One way this happens is through theme camps โ groups of participants who come together around a shared interest or idea to create an interactive space within the larger city. These camps can range from small intimate spaces for meditation or yoga practice to large-scale installations featuring music stages or interactive art projects.
Another way participants contribute is through creating their own art installations โ sculptures made out of recycled materials or giant structures built entirely out of wood โ which they bring with them to display at Afrikaburn.
But perhaps what sets Afrikaburn apart most from other festivals is its commitment to leaving no trace behind once it's over. This means that everything brought into Tankwa City must be taken out again, and the site must be left in the same condition as it was found. This ethos of radical self-reliance and environmental responsibility is a core part of the Burning Man philosophy that Afrikaburn shares.
In addition to its focus on creativity, community building, and environmental sustainability, Afrikaburn also offers a range of workshops and talks on topics such as permaculture, social justice, and spirituality. These sessions provide an opportunity for attendees to learn new skills or engage with ideas they may not have encountered before.
Overall, Afrikaburn is a celebration of the human spirit โ a chance for people to come together in a spirit of collaboration and creativity to invent the world anew. Whether you're an artist looking for inspiration or simply someone who wants to experience something truly unique and transformative, Afrikaburn is an event not to be missed.