what is the history of the burning man and why was it started? what does it have to do with american culture?

-- Robert Arthur (rarth03@yahoo.com), December 12, 2003

Answers

Mick, What the hell is your problem? I don't think there is any reason to insult someone for suggesting there is deep significance to this event beyond ties to ancient Celtic ritualism. Have you even been to Burning Man? It's not quite the "giant orgy of drugs, sex and booze" you claim it is. While these three elements are certainly present to some degree, they are not the focus. Quite to the contrary, Burning Man is first and foremost an arts festival, centering on the theme of radical self-expression through music, dance, visual arts and interactivity. Just look at the pictures on the Burning Man web site.

While the Celtic tradition sounds somewhat similar in spirit to Black Rock City, the major component I see lacking in the former is exactly the artistic element that comprises the backbone of the latter. I am by no means an expert on pagan ritualism, but there are very clear differences here. Burning Man is a MODERN day pagan ritual that I argue has no true historical counterpart. But you don't have to take my word for it -- just go and see for yourself.

Before you run around spewing cowardly insults at people, maybe you should try participating in the event yourself... Who knows, you might even enjoy it.

-- Ray Smith (theav8tar@hotmail.com), July 20, 2004.

i have read it all anditsaysnothing about the actual history of the burning man,just the borrowed version in the US. And whats there to grasp? it seems to me that your the one who cant grasp the few historical facts i posted in reply to question in the first place. You asshole, all that raving and class a drugs must have fried your brain to the extent that you cant put the question with the answer.

-- (mick@gain.now), March 21, 2004.

i have read it, whats there to grasp? the fact that its based on an ancient celtic ritual/festival seems to much for you to grasp. Not that the website you mentioned bothered to inform visitors of this fact. But some guy did ask so i replied. After that , fk you.

-- (mickag@in.zzz), March 20, 2004.

its an ancient celtic ritual going back pre christian times where a giant wickerman type structure was built and people (women, criminals etc) were sacrificed to the ancient 'worm god' (worm posibly meaning dragon) called Crom Cruach. Usually a virgin priestess was laid out in the head of the structure as the main sacrifice and this was to be an honour for her to die and become his bride. This is only a basic synopsis of the ritual of course but its pretty much the over view of what it was. The new rage is just some crazy californians borrowing part of the idea for a rock festival and an excuse to have a giant orgy of drugs ,sex and booze, not unlike what went on a the original. The old celts knew how to party big style.

-- (mick@ect.etc), March 20, 2004.

Go here and start reading. It will take you several hours to read grasp the material. http://www.burningman.com/whatisburningman/

-- Gary Taylor (gltaylor2@cox.net), March 09, 2004.