Bushfire Festival

Pam spotted this festival in the local paper and we decided to give it a go. It was in Swaziland, a little south of the Swazi capital of Mbebane. We'd been looking for an excuse to visit. Left Nelspruit early afternoon because we wanted to get there before dark. Spectacular mountain scenery around Barberton and Badplaas, quite barren, brown and rocky. Hazy and dramatic in the late sun.. A bit like Mackenzie Country. Crossed the border at Oshoek and stood in line with all the other immigrants, whites and blacks alike in their Toyotas, BMWs and Mercedes. First and lasting impression was that the Swazis are very friendly.


We had hired a tent at the event and arrived just after dusk. Funny how when you put your stuff inside it feels cosy! Followed a string of coloured lights from the camping area to the main event. The festival is based around an arts complex called House on Fire which includes an amphitheatre and some office/studio buildings, then they build a sound stage, market, kids area and so on. Very eclectic - think Fredric Hundertwasser (google Kawakawa public toilets)  meets Lord of the Rings.


The festival gives all its profits to Young Heroes, a charity for kids orphaned by HIV Aids. Swaziland has the highest rate in Africa. So there was a strong social conscience theme running through the whole thing. We really enjoyed it.





             Some of the interesting stone work around festival venue and Swazi staff.

The Giant puppets of Mozambique were lots of fun

         The festival at night. The teepees below were part of the children's area.

Interesting lollypop sculptures around.

There were some  interesting speaker this woman spoke very well on the social needs of Swaziland.

 
Pam doesn't usually like succulent gardens but this one that separated the camping area from the main festival was rather lovely.



We didn't take many photos of Swaziland itself. This one shows the dry and the rocky nature of the country and terracing for some sort of agriculture.