Comments on: Lost Traditions of Burning Man

By: Dr. Bungee

Dr. Bungee — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 04:14:00 +0000

Scattered thoughts of what once was…
Playa Ball. A soccer sized “ball” made from bundling up cloth scraps soaked in kerosene, set on fire, and kicked randomly around. As one piece of cloth burned up, the one below would catch, and the game would continue with a ball that got smaller and smaller. Caused a lot of MOOP, and disappeared in the LNT frenzy.
Parades. The DPW used to drive every street in BRC (before there were over 40 miles of them), at the end of the burn, looking for provisions to sustain them during cleanup. Their pirate like attitude of “give me your beer, your drugs, and your women”, may have contributed to it’s demise. Critical Tits started as a dozen topless goddesses howling down the Esplanade. It evolved into the most amazing display of feminine playfulness this planet has ever seen, devolved into a sort of lecherous peep show, and has finally settled into the display of Girrrl Power that it is today. I miss the CT of about 6-8 years ago.
Feeding The Man. Back in the day, you could contribute things to go on The Man as they were loading him up on burn day. One year we contributed some pieces of magnisum that was placed in his arm. I swear we could see one flame that was a little brighter than the rest.
After about 120 days and nights at BRC, Iv’e seen a lot of crazy shit. Yeah, it’s not what it once was, and isn’t what it’s going to yet be, but for this grizzled old vet, Burning Man is still THE MOST AMAZING PLACE ON EARTH. )”(

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By: Cammi

Cammi — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:44:19 +0000

Bal Mart made everyone who wanted to go up to the top get spanked. Mind you they dont smack hard or with any intent other than to be fun. If you didnt want to be spanked I guess you didnt go up. I did not mind it at all…Hike down my skirt and my undies and get spanked. It didnt hurt and everyone in the line I was in had no problem with it. I do miss the howling though. And whats with the all the RV’s? If you want to come to Burning Man in an RV you might as well have someone else experience Burning Man for you and you stay in your comfy RV. Yes I had my pop up but its not an RV and all it did was stow my stuff and provide a bed.

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By: Anna

Anna — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 04:17:29 +0000

I was telling my friends and newbie neighbors about the howling this year and how much I missed it. We kept meaning to do it and try to bring it back but always seemed to forget. Next year we definitely won’t forget. I would love to see the howling come back — it was one my biggest impressions from my first couple burns.

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By: jstarr

jstarr — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 22:39:04 +0000

What an AMAZING article and commentary. I am now nostalgic for times that live in the memories of others.

I believe there is a point where an individual really “gets” Burning Man. It could even take more than one attendance to do. That is not to say one doesn’t enjoy it, have a great laugh, meet some new people…but it is the moment where something clicks inside of them that changes them forever.

For me it was my first year in 2007 at a drum circle. There were dozens of circles that year, and being back every year since, I could count the drum circles on one hand. Can anyone hypothesize why this is??

also, cell phones? internet? really?
CUT THAT SH*T OUT!!

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By: G

Sat, 06 Oct 2012 02:11:23 +0000

The naked water truck showers! ! ! ! YES! ! !
I used to follow them around on my bike just to enjoy the falls, the bouncing flesh, the bodies in motion.
There was one truck driver who posted a sign on the back of his truck asking people to shower where he could watch them in the rear view mirror.
The practice was actively discouraged a few years ago, being as the water is “non potable”

Someone above mentioned burning dried sage. yes, Smudge! love it!. Every year I get a whiff, but 2003 (my 1st) it seemed to be everywhere, and it has been declining ever since.

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By: Miss direction

Miss direction — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 05:36:58 +0000

Two things I missed this year (my 10th burn)…people yowling with happiness at sunset and screaming like crazy when the mans arms when up before the burn. wtf people…

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By: Col Klink

Col Klink — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:50:50 +0000

1. Lost Spanking:
- I suggest people remember to bring flogging instruments themselves and spank each others at the gate :)
- Wouldn’t it be a cool camp or installation that’d offer that spanking we’re all longing for? Think of it: Greeters would tell anyone asking for a spank to go to that place and get their poison there ASAP.

2. Lost Fun Camps.
I thought that Mission To Mars (the first one with the maze and lots of misguidances inside) was one of the best fun camps ever. Next comes the live-sized PacMan to mind – I still have the music in my head, mixed with all the other BM sounds.

3. Lost Traditions.
- After having skipped the prev 2 years, I noticed right away that hardly anyone hollered at sunset any more so I did my part, but only one day. I shall try better next year again.
- And I also thought: No one’s even _talking_ about picking up trash while you go any more! Sure, the old timers still know and do that, but there’s so many newbies now and no one seems to teach them any more. Disheartening. Feels like people feel it’s no use any more to integrate the new ones any more…

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By: Motoro LoveTron

Motoro LoveTron — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 00:12:41 +0000

This year was my first experience at Burning Man, and I feel grateful and indebted to all of the organizers, volunteers and temporary citizens of Black Rock City. My camp (False Profit, SF) was very loving and organized and they made me feel useful and involved even though I was a total newbie from Boston. The playa was very good to me and I am excited to return to the desert and restore some of these amazing traditions, and perhaps starting new ones as well.

We arrived on Saturday night and my mind was already completely blown just by driving through the desert for the very first time. After getting situated I decided that a bike ride was absolutely necessary. So I decided to take the advice of a more seasoned Burner and I rode out to deep playa enjoying nothing else but the total darkness in front of me. At one point I stopped riding and I took off all of my clothes and laid down to enjoy the blanket of stars above me. The night was warm and quiet and to me it was the perfect way to connect with the playa for the first time. I imagine that this will become a ritual for me, and whoever I can convince to join me along the way

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By: PlayaNai`a

PlayaNai`a — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 12:14:30 +0000

There was definitely sunset howling this year, at least in Hushville and environs.

Thanx for this; very informative.

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By: Dr Fill Good

Dr Fill Good — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 04:03:54 +0000

Stripping down and chasing the water truck for a quick shower. There’s so many RV’s now with showers, or people come with great outdoor showers that it has stopped being the only option for running water during the week.

I still have a vivid memory of just getting out from under the water truck’s hose and seeing this guy sprinting buck naked towards me. Once he hit the wet playa street though, his feet slid out from under him and he went sliding in the mud. We looked at each other, grinned, and as I offered a hand to help him up I told him “well, you better catch the truck now!”. And he jumped back up to chase the truck down once more, all caked in mud.

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