Analysis: Feast Of The Clowns, Burgers Park

An ethnographic study into the symbolism of the clown as a existence who enables anybody who adopts his persona to attain various layers of power and knowledge within sociopolitical context through implementing an anarchist tradition and attaining social justice.
‘Feast of the Clowns, Burgers Park’ the quite ominous pamphlet read as I was approaching a seemingly empty patch of green and I couldn’t help but retrieve sinister images of gluttonous clowns. Before I could enter the barricaded plot of public green, I was met by three casually dressed police officers, one greeting me with a smiley pat-down accompanied by a dry joke about myself carrying a gun to which I replied with a hissing laugh and a stomach full of uncertainty: the idea of clowns

The first festival was held in 2000, an early street parade with only a small number of participants, now however it has evidently grown- there must be around 3000 plus participants and thousands more spectators roaming around happily amongst one another. By means of their bodies, the participants demonstrate and highlight awareness about various campaigns that involve social and economic challenges such as poverty, homelessness, gender issues, HIV/ AIDS, refugees, xenophobia, human trafficking, greener more ecofriendly cities and children's rights in hopes of attaining social justice. All of this is done while ceremonially exhibiting and making use of local art as a tool for activism, celebrating diversity, and building cohesive bonds amongst the communities and residents of central Tshwane. With all of this in mind, I set off to study the participants and spectators of The Feast of the Clowns through interviews. Some interviewees were residents of the inner city of Tshwane, either as spectators or participants; while others were simply spectators from different districts surrounding Tshwane. The interviews were conducted using a standard questionnaire relating to the ‘Feast of the clowns’ and the interviewees understanding