Burn baby burn

PHOTOS Sydelle Willow Smith

Every year for the past seven years, creative pilgrims and anarchists have made the journey into the Karoo desert for the annual Afrikaburn event. Just back form this year’s event, photographer Sydelle Willow Smith shared some of her gorgeous pics.

Based on the infamous Burning Man event in the US, the Afrikaburn website explains that it is “a community of participants who come together to create art, burning structures, costume, performance, theme camps, music, mutant vehicles and much, much more.”

The organisation is run on through a volunteer culture and the event itself is completely money-free. It is not bartering that replaces it, as many mistakenly believe, but a gift economy. Everyone does various things to contribute to the event, for free and without expecting anything in return.

The only thing for sale at the event is the ice, by the organisers, who cycle the money back into essential operation costs. If this all sounds preposterous and like it can only lead to chaos, have a look at their 10 Principles to understand the community spirit.

More information about Afrikaburn www.afrikaburn.com

To see more of Sydelle’s photoshoots for us click here.