Jun 18 2014

31 Reasons to Check Out Africa’s Burning Man

We finally got BMOrg’s official Afrika Burn coverage yesterday – the event took place in April. Although it’s the second largest Burner event in the world, it’s evidently  not as big of a priority to BMOrg as book club discussions about the Death of God or art in their new office. We’re still waiting to hear their take on what happened at Midburn in Israel last weekend – the promoters paid for 2 BMOrg staffers to attend for “ranger training”. Apparently this doesn’t include posting photos online, maybe they still have to work out who owns the photos (or, more precisely, their future royalty stream).

Personally, I prefer this Afrikaburn summary from Buzzfeed – 31 Reasons You Have To Check Out South Africa’s Burning Man Before You Die. Great photos. I am super-keen to get to Afrika Burn, hopefully next year.

[view original Buzzfeed post by Sarah Duff here]

1. You’ll get to feel like you’re on the set of Game of Thrones.

You'll get to feel like you're on the set of Game of Thrones.

2. And an extra from the set of Star Wars.

And an extra from the set of Star Wars.

3. And feel like you could be starring in a Donnie Darko remake.

And feel like you could be starring in a Donnie Darko remake.

4. You can dance in the arms of a multi-storey-high wooden man.

You can dance in the arms of a multi-storey-high wooden man.

5. And spot wildlife on the long dirt road to the middle of nowhere in the Karoo Desert.

And spot wildlife on the long dirt road to the middle of nowhere in the Karoo Desert.

6. You can cheer along with thousands of other people when he is burned.

You can cheer along with thousands of other people when he is burned.

7. And send a postcard anywhere in the world or to someone else at AfrikaBurn (and it will be hand delivered to their tent.)

And send a postcard anywhere in the world or to someone else at AfrikaBurn (and it will be hand delivered to their tent.)

8. At AfrikaBurn, gin and tonics come with a kiss from this German bar man.

At AfrikaBurn, gin and tonics come with a kiss from this German bar man.

9. You’ll get life-affirming messages from lemurs on the dance floor.

You'll get life-affirming messages from lemurs on the dance floor.

10. You’ll feel like dancing by yourself in gold tights in the desert is more than acceptable.

You'll feel like dancing by yourself in gold tights in the desert is more than acceptable.

11. You can hang out at an apres-ski bar without having to touch snow.

You can hang out at an apres-ski bar without having to touch snow.

12. Karoo sunsets are some of the most beautiful in South Africa.

Karoo sunsets are some of the most beautiful in South Africa.

13. And are best taken advantage of by dancing on a pop-up dance floor with hundreds of other dressed up people.

And are best taken advantage of by dancing on a pop-up dance floor with hundreds of other dressed up people.

14. Or sitting by yourself and gazing over the vast horizon.

Or sitting by yourself and gazing over the vast horizon.

15. Night skies are spectacular, especially when lit up by giant artworks and sculptures.

Night skies are spectacular, especially when lit up by giant artworks and sculptures.

16. Most days you’ll have big blue skies and sunny weather.

Most days you'll have big blue skies and sunny weather.

17. But in the Karoo, even the dust storms are beautiful.

But in the Karoo, even the dust storms are beautiful.

18. You can ride around on the most badass VW beetle you’ve ever seen.

You can ride around on the most badass VW beetle you've ever seen.

19. Or get a lift from the cheapest taxi you’ll ever take.

Or get a lift from the cheapest taxi you'll ever take.

20. Or on the back of a sequin-covered VW van.

Or on the back of a sequin-covered VW van.

21. Or inside an emoji.

Or inside an emoji.

22. You can dance on top of a rhino.

You can dance on top of a rhino.

23. Or under a top hat on a yellow German postal van called Judy.

Or under a top hat on a yellow German postal van called Judy.

24. If you’re bored of traveling by bicycle or mutant vehicle you can go windsurfing (without the surf).

If you're bored of traveling by bicycle or mutant vehicle you can go windsurfing (without the surf).

25. You’ll never run out of things to explore.

You'll never run out of things to explore.

26. You’ll get to see someone actually looking good in a scout’s uniform.

You'll get to see someone actually looking good in a scout's uniform.

27. You can save a lot of money on a conventional wedding and get married at a mass purple wedding in the desert instead.

You can save a lot of money on a conventional wedding and get married at a mass purple wedding in the desert instead.

28. You’ll make a lot of new friends, who’ll probably be in your new Facebook cover photo.

You'll make a lot of new friends, who'll probably be in your new Facebook cover photo.

29. Some of whom you can smooch under the Kissing Tree.

Some of whom you can smooch under the Kissing Tree.

30. There’s always something to be entertained by, like an impromptu slacklining performance.

There's always something to be entertained by, like an impromptu slacklining performance.

31. You’ll get to realize that life really does imitate art.

You'll get to realize that life really does imitate art.

6 comments on “31 Reasons to Check Out Africa’s Burning Man”

  1. Pingback: Master Chef: Burning Man | Burners.Me: Me, Burners and The Man

  3. These are just a few pictures, and I’d love to hear the truth from someone who’s actually been to the Afrikaburn, but it appears to me that this event is (at best) no more racially diverse than Burning Man…. In a country that is only 9% white.

    I guess the echoes of apartheid and the cultural differences make it tough. I don’t know. I don’t live there. I’m not going to judge. Just seems a little strange.

    Reply

  4. It really sounds nice. But I’m not sure it’s sufficiently spiritual enough for me. I’m an enlightened individual, and just because it’s Africa, doesn’t mean it passes all the pre-spiritual code. For example, is the elephant with arms in high supply? Are there enough African Americans there to make me feel like I’m not being racist? What about the children? We need children there to feed our spiritual needs. Some of our women are Wicca and very VERY spiritual. Can Africa meet their spiritual demands? I’m not sure. Maybe next year.

    Reply

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