Afrika Burns Creative Projects (AfrikaBurn) was created in 2007 as a Not-For-Profit Company, with the intention that it would serve as a vehicle for the co-ordination of a South African Burning Man regional event.
The event has been running since 2007, with all events to date held on a private farm called Stonehenge, which is adjacent to the Tankwa Karoo National Park. The farm is very isolated, as it is situated half way along the R355, an 250km long untarred road between Calvinia and Ceres.
The event was originally called AfrikaBurns, however due to concerns about the name having possible negative connotations there was a public call for proposals on 15 May 2008. On 16 July 2008 the new name, AfrikaBurn, was officially announced via email. The new name preserves the identity of the event, but deals with possible negative interpretations changing the name from something ('burns') that happens to Africa, to something (a 'burn') that happens in Africa.
In 2010 the event was moved earlier in the year because the autumn weather is better suited to the event, and so that a public holiday (or in some years two) could be included in that dates. It also means that it is not so close to Burning Man, which will hopefully increase the number of foreign attendees.
The dates for AfrikaBurn 2013 are Wednesday 1 May - Monday 6 May 2013. The 1st of May is a public holiday.
| Year | Dates | Location | Theme | Participants | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 22 - 25 November | Stonehenge farm | Tribe | ~1,000 | |
| 2008 | 16 - 19 October | Stonehenge farm | Power | ~1,200 | |
| 2009 | 9 - 13 September | Stonehenge farm | Time | ~1,600 | |
| 2010 | 22 - 27 April | Stonehenge farm | Dream | ~2,200 | |
| 2011 | 27 April - 2 May | Stonehenge farm | Stof: the Primal Mud | ~4,000 | |
| 2012 | 25 - 30 April | Stonehenge farm | Mirage | ~5,700 |
The current directors of the organisation are Monique Schiess, Robert Weinek, Liz Linsell, San Bendzulla and Adriaan Wessels.
SAN CLAN
As a regional Burning Man event, AfrikaBurn adheres to the ten principles of Burning Man. Among these are the Leave No Trace philosophy, radical self-expression, radical self-reliance, and communal effort. [1]
By analogy to the Man at Burning Man, the main sculpture at the event is called the San Clan. It is designed to look like a San rock art glyph of a group of people. The intention is to convey the idea of unity and community at the event.
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Theme camps are one of the key components of vibrant regional Burning Man events. Theme camps are established by participants to enhance the experience for all participants.
Major theme camps from the last few years include "Heartspace", "The Desert Rose", "Partycipation", "Amadeadly Disco" and "Burning Mail"
AFRICA BURN 2012
