AfrikaBurn

AfrikaBurn is a unique and vibrant event that takes place annually at the Stonehenge Private Reserve in South Africa's Northern Cape Province. Since its inception in 2007, this official regional event of Burning Man has focused on creating temporary art installations in a semi-desert environment, many of which are set ablaze toward the end of the gathering. Participants adorn themselves in elaborate costumes and traverse the landscape in creatively decorated "mutant vehicles."

The concept of AfrikaBurn was brought to life in 2007 by Paul Jorgensen, with significant contributions from Robert Weinek and Liane Visser. It was established as a not-for-profit organization to bring the ethos of Burning Man to South Africa. The event has consistently been hosted at Stonehenge Farm, adjacent to the Tankwa Karoo National Park. Initially named Afrika Burns, it was later renamed AfrikaBurn to avoid any negative connotations.

One of the event's hallmark features is the San Clan sculpture, which symbolizes unity and community. This central piece is ceremoniously burned during the gathering. Adhering to the ten principles of Burning Man, AfrikaBurn introduced its own unique principle in 2014, 'Each One Teach One,' promoting knowledge sharing among participants.

AfrikaBurn transcends being merely an art festival; it is a cultural experience. Participants establish theme camps to enrich the event for everyone, embodying the Leave No Trace philosophy, which promotes self-expression, self-reliance, communal effort, and a gift economy where no money changes hands. To ensure safety, pets, fireworks, and certain items are prohibited from the event.

Popular theme camps include the "Alienz Coffee Shop" "The Steampunk Saloon" and "The Wild Ass Saloon" each offering unique and interactive experiences. The event also strongly encourages participants to minimize and clean up Matter Out Of Place (MOOP) to uphold environmental sustainability.

The current directors of AfrikaBurn—Samantha Benzulla, Monique Schiess, Abi Case, Lorraine Tanner, and Robert Weinek—continue to guide this extraordinary event, ensuring it remains a magical and transformative experience for all attendees.