History

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 initial directors of the organisation were Lil Black, Paul Jorgensen, Robert Weinek, Monique Schiess and Michael ‘t Sas-Rolfes.

The central icon and effigy of the event, the San Clan, is derived from an image found in San rock art in numerous locations in southern Africa, and symbolises a community as one. The design was created by Lil Black in 2006, ahead of the first event. For more info on the San Clan, see this page.

The event has been running since 2007, with all events to date held at Stonehenge Private Reserve, which is adjacent to the Tankwa Karoo National Park. The farm is very isolated, as it is situated half way along the R355, a 250km long untarred road between Calvinia and Ceres in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa: the longest road in the country without mobile phone signal or petrol stations.

The event was originally called Afrika Burns, 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 to the end of April because the mild autumn weather is better suited to the event, and so that a public holiday (or in some years two) could accommodate the event that period.

For information on the next AfrikaBurn event, visit the event page here.

For a list of acknowledgments of those significantly involved over the years 2006 – 2011, head to our Acknowledgements page.

For a list of past event stats, see our Past Events page.