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The Burning Man will light up again

The burning of a man in effigy is now almost 30 years strong and this Friday, 28th of August the week long festival in the Nevada desert will once again take place.

The burning of a man in effigy is now almost 30 years strong and this Friday, 28th of August the week long festival in the Nevada desert will once again take place.

In 1986, as a way to personify their “radical self-expression,” Larry Harvey and Jerry James constructed a nine-foot man and smaller dog sculpture they promptly set alight as a nod to the summer solstice. Now, much like the height of burning man, the gathering of tribes in the hot Black Rock Desert of Nevada has grown to a week long festival that celebrates inclusion, art, culture and controversy.

So why are we burning a man?

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Burning Man Festival takes place, every year, in the first week of September. Described by revellers (known as “burners”) as a celebration of freedom, the festival embraces the ethos of unadulterated love, acceptance and appreciation for the human race and body.

Burners are treated to a week of fantastic sculptures, world renowned DJs, mesmerising performance art, bikes and mutant vehicle rides, costumes and temple worshipping…though there is a catch. There are a few rules burners must adhere to in the festival’s makeshift Black Rock City.

 

The gift of bartering

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The first rule is that there are no rules. Rather, there are principles each burner should live by while at Black Rock City as a way of maintaining the purity of Burning Man’s message.

The first principle is gifting. Set aside the admission price, which was for many years non-existent, burners are encouraged to leave their wallet and worldly possessions behind and engage in the festival’s ‘gifting economy’.

Burners trade and barter on a gifting system, which is not based on the value of an item- rather on its worth at that given time (like a bottle of water in the hot sun). They are also encouraged to gift unconditionally, without the hope of receiving. The only cash transactions that are permitted in Black Rock City are for items that benefit charities, fuel for your vehicles, or sanitation.

 

Radically good principle

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Image Source: www.belindabentley.com

The second principle maintains the radical self-expression of founding fathers Harvey and James. The radical principle incorporates the act of including others, even complete strangers. No burner is left behind.

Another aspect of the radical principle is self-reliance. The founding fathers urge burners to employ independence. In short, you must prove you are able to look after yourself, even in the most “radical” of climates.

The last aspect is radical self-expression. It is encouraged by the founders to represent your individuality at all times, even if that means flitting about the campsite wearing nothing but butterfly wings and a smile. Public nudity is encouraged, though completely optional.

 

Living in the commune

The final set of principles revolve around our responsibilities toward our tribe. Aside from inclusion, this principle incorporates collaborating and participating with your fellow burner, looking after a total stranger, assuring public welfare and maintaining the law.

 

You are but a guest

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The final principle is enforced with a zero tolerance policy. The festival and its city are located on a playa that is rich in native flora and fauna. A burner must care for the environment and leave not a trace. Much like the festival that disappears after the week is over, so too must your footprint.

Watch Eddie Codel’s beautiful bird’s eye view footage of Burning man here:


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