Burning Man: Encyclopedia II - Burning Man - Burners

Burning Man - Burners

Burning Man participants often call themselves "burners." Although this usage may vary with region, a burner is an annual denizen of Black Rock City, and anyone who embraces Burning Man as an expression in sync with their own identity is a burner. In general, the term's use is only practical in contexts outside of the event itself. A burner is usually someone who has been to the event and aspires to return, even if only in spirit. The concept also implies the sentiments and values inspired by the event itself, including a high regard for creativity, especially radical self-expression, and willingness to participate in a gift-based economy. Some burners adopt (or are given) a playa name, a personal nickname a burner may use while socializing with other burners.

A Burning Man "virgin" is someone who is attending Burning Man for the first time or is planning to attend Burning Man in the future. "Yahoo" or "tourist" are pejorative terms used to refer to people who come to Burning Man to spectate rather than participate in the event, often arriving not long before the Burning Man ritual. As the stated purpose of Burning Man is to form community and to promote radical self-expression, non-participants are strongly frowned upon by many participants. This does not prevent spectators from attending the event, however; and in recent years, as attendance has swelled with growing awareness of Burning Man among the general public, friction between participants and spectators has been on the rise.

As Burning Man is a clothing-optional event, public nudity is common at BRC, causing some to expect rampant hedonism, including casual and public sex acts and recreational drug use throughout BRC. However, this is not the common experience, and LEOs from more than one jurisdiction are present to enforce federal and state laws. The volunteer "Black Rock Rangers" are also on-hand to maintain peace and protect event-goers from the effects of climate and overindulgence.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Burners", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki