Afrikaburn Festival. Tankwa Karoo. South Africa. 2016.

AfrikaBurn is an official Burning Man regional event, held annually in the Tankwa Karoo in South Africa since 2007, attended by more than 9000 participants in 2014 and 2015. It is centered around the construction of temporary artworks in a semi-desert environment, many of which are burnt towards the end of the event. Many attendees wear elaborate costumes and create decorated "mutant vehicles". is a happening of happiness, a gathering of peoples that I wish there were more of on earth, a congregation of the talented and creative alternative that come to this bare patch of Tankwa Karoo. From all walks of life they trek here from the cities to praise the essence of life, to be in thoughts about much, to be together in union with others, to let their spirits fly, to listen to the music of others and at the end to watch their creations and installations burn. I have seldom seen so much communal giving and sharing and taking and wait ---- there’s something missing? Oh, silly of me, it’s the partying and the joyful and rhythmic sharing of sounds to fill each other’s space. In the burning of wood and fabric, they experience rejuvenation in the flames and setting sun, to find a new day, a peaceful and purposeful new day. Those who pilgrimage here yearly call themselves burners. I am not so good at the thumping base sounds of the younger generation’s music or listening to the theories of the artists, musicians and facilitators. I am the boring one here, the photo predator that takes more than he gives. I use the setting sun not to rejuvenate or orbit my thoughts, but just to momentarily touch moments in sight. But, as I walk the Canon, I am enthralled and bedazzled by this strangeness around me, the surround atmosphere of being, just simple being what you want to be.