We heard about a gathering of free expression that was billed as KiwiBurn,  a regional festival similar to Burning Man in the US. Knowing so many folks who attend BM every year, of course, we couldn't help but attend to see how they do it here in Kiwiland. The tribal gathering was held in a mystical place in a valley of mountains near a bend in a beautiful river just east of Takaka in Golden Bay. Across the river you could see a cave that conjured visions of an ancient Maori couple taking shelter within. Clearly I was creating my own Maori myths. The first night saw a procession of the entire camp (about 50 souls) as we walked to the beat of hand made drums to the river to consecrate the ashes of last year's KiwiManBurn. It was a beautiful ritual that set the stage for greater things to come.

The day of the burn was sunny and then we experienced little fits of sprinkling rain from clouds so distant and fast-moving they could not be seen by those of us on the ground. The sun was hot making the little bit of rain feel refreshing and it certainly didn't compel shelter. Alas, Gaia, Mother Earth, had other intentions for our group. About 3:00 p.m. it started raining with real meaning. The sun had gone to bed and it was COLD AND RAINY. Every head turned to the sky over the course of the next 4 hours sure it would pass. It did not. It rained until 8:30 a.m. the next morning. Their was a bonfire, but KiwiMan did not burn.

Anyone who has ever been to hippy-style gathering knows that this alone cannot dampen spirits. Oh no! The drum circle went on until well past 3:00 a.m. You've got to admire their spirit if not their timing. Sleep was elusive.

The event was billed to end on Feb. 4 so we dutifully mopped up ourselves and our site and left on to new adventures farther down the road. Little did we know that the Rainbow community, the group that graciously allowed the event to take place on their land, agreed to let the festival attendees stay an extra night to follow through on the burn. The sun came out and dried the man and later that evening ... KiwiMan burned, baby burned. See photos.

I'm sorry we missed the culminating event, but I'm glad we went all the same. Maybe next time ...

I have heard rumours that there is a large contingent of Kiwis who are planning to attend the BM event in the states. If you happen to be in the Nevada desert next Labor Day weekend, look for them, they're a groovy group of folk.

Val