South Africa

Celebrations from Around the Globe

Below is a glimpse of celebrations honoring the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb in many localities across the country

South Africa

Cape Town celebrates with music and dance

The community in Cape Town, South Africa, honored the bicentenary together through song, dance, and fellowship.

In Johannesburg, South Africa, works created by local artists and collaborators are displayed in a week-long gallery show for the enjoyment of the public in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Báb.

South Africa

Children and youth give presentations in South Africa

Children and youth gave presentations at a community event held in honor of the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb in Mbombela, South Africa.

South Africa

Widespread joyous celebrations under way in South Africa

In neighborhoods throughout South Africa, communities gather to express their love for the Báb in joyful events to celebrate the bicentenary of his birth. Gatherings are held in the intimate settings of homes with dozens of participants and in larger gatherings at local centers and public meeting places with hundreds of participants. Most celebrations are enriched by myriad artistic expressions—collages, tapestry, paintings, pottery, story-telling and cheerful music and dancing—by adults, youth and children.

South Africa

Songs of gratitude uplift celebrations

Music permeated a celebration in Mafikeng, South Africa, as a community came together to commemorate the birth of the Báb. Songs expressing gratitude to God led to those gathered to spontaneously break into dance.

South Africa

Creative artwork represents calendar made by the Báb

The Badí calendar, used by Bahá’ís around the world, is a solar calendar of 19 months of 19 days each. This artwork represents that calendar in a beautiful array of shapes. It is structured as nested hexagons, with the smallest representing one day, the next size one month, and the largest an entire year. The hexagons representing the days are made of lightweight compressed wood and adorned with different images and passages from the Writings of the Báb. The shapes for each of the month have in their center the month’s name in both Arabic and English. The calendar’s structure emphasizes that we all fit within a unified world of humanity.

South Africa

Gathering shares music in Johannesburg

As part of a larger bicentenary celebration, a musical event was held to share songs and prayers set to music in Johannesburg, South Africa.

South Africa

Celebration in a South African community

Generations of community members gather in celebration of the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb in the South African village of Setlopo, enjoying food, fellowship and festivities.

South Africa

Dignitaries attend a commemoration held in South Africa

Dignitaries were honored guests at a commemoration in South Africa of the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Báb. The attendees viewed portions of the film Dawn of the Light and browsed a gallery of artwork that had been created for the historic occasion.

South Africa

Music from a bicentenary celebration in South Africa

A group sings a piece that is inspired by the teachings of the Faith at a neighborhood bicentenary celebration in Durban, South Africa.

South Africa

The Báb’s teachings inspire creativity

In South Africa, an artist has produced paintings inspired by the Báb and His mission, particularly His call to strive to elevate all things to their state of “uttermost perfection” and excellence.

South Africa

Neighborhood refreshment stand provides opportunity for conversations about unity

Children in Tshwane, South Africa, have honored the spirit of the teachings of the Báb by creating a refreshment stand, which acts as a space for neighbors to come together and talk about the oneness of humanity.

South Africa

Embroidery inspired by the Shrine of the Báb

A group in South Africa created a wall hanging composed of embroidered pieces inspired by the Shrine of the Báb. The completed handicraft will be displayed as part of an art exhibition at the National Bahá’í Centre in Johannesburg during the bicentenary celebrations.