If You Build It, They Will Come!

Imagine a space where money has no worth and the currency is your Talent. Where children roam free range, safely. All the adults are care givers and the forest gang of dogs is adored by all as they run wild. There are free hugs, no inhibitions, peaceful living, meaningful connections, mindful consciousness, non-judgmental openness and LEARNING – an off grid creative energy space so tangible one can touch it. The day begins with yoga and meditation and as the sun sets the Clan emerge from the forest dust to The Circle of Dreams for a communal, harmonious thunder of a drum circle connecting dance and rhythm.

- Sue Human

In the evening, around fire pits people I gather to share food, stories, ideas, experiences and LEARNING of the day.

Music is everywhere and for everyone, to play or enjoy. The Sacred River refreshes and entertains while the forest trees bring 100 years of wisdom and shade – life giving yet playful, their branches enabling us to fly.

The festival is The Learning Clan and it all takes place near Riviersonderend for a week over New Year. The Learning Clan Website, www.learningclan.net explains how this amazing community was born – "The idea to gather in this way was sparked at the SA version of Burning Man. We loved the idea of radical self reliance and the co-creation of a town in the desert without the use of money. One night, in the face of a wall of flames, we realised that in these turbulent times, we'd like to be learning stuff more than burning stuff… like how to be more resilient against a global agenda that is increasingly repressing our freedom to thrive, how to grow food, how to reduce our impact, how to have an economy we can trust, how to work with all the natural materials and medicines freely given by Nature."

The Talent currency centers around the CES, Community Exchange System www.ces.org.za "The Community Exchange System (CES) is a community based exchange system that provides the means for communities to trade and exchange their goods and services, both locally and remotely. "

To purchase a ticket to Learning Clan, one must register on the CES. At the Festival, no money changes hands. 1Rand = 1Talent. The idea is that everyone brings something to offer to earn Talents and uses those to share in others offerings. Children are encouraged to register too. And everyone is encouraged to use the system throughout the year. Each person that registers enters their specific talents and one can trade goods and services anytime – and it is global.