Bonfire Night: What Do We Need to Burn Away for Peace and Progress?🔥

By Davia Ellis – Educator, Wellness Advocate & Peacebuilder

Bonfire Night isn’t just about fire and festivities—it’s a moment of reflection, release, and renewal. Across cultures, fire has long symbolized transformation. Hosting a Bonfire Night can be a powerful community ritual—a time to burn away what no longer serves us and make space for healing, peace, and purpose.

But beyond its symbolic power, Bonfire Night also offers something many of us desperately need: a digital detox.

In a world that constantly pulls us toward screens, Bonfire Night gives us a sacred opportunity to unplug, reconnect with each other in person, and engage in meaningful, screen-free experiences. Gathered around the flames, we can rediscover what real connection feels like—without notifications, selfies, or distractions.

So what do we, as a people—locally and globally—need to bonfire on?

1. Burn the Culture of Silence

Too many suffer quietly. We've learned to suppress, to pretend, to endure. Bonfire Night becomes a space to speak truth, to let go of shame, and to finally say what we've buried. Let’s burn the silence that keeps generations in pain.

2. Bonfire Gender-Based Violence and the Myths That Fuel It

Let the flames consume toxic beliefs that uphold violence, normalize abuse, or silence survivors. Our communities deserve better. Together, we can light the way toward safety, respect, and healing.

3. Set Fire to Colorism and Classism

These quiet divisions rob us of unity. It's time to torch the lies that skin tone or social status determine worth. Bonfire Night is a call for collective elevation—where all are valued, equally and unapologetically.

4. Burn Out Bullying and the Culture of “Badmind”

We’ve laughed off envy, sarcasm, and spite for too long. Let’s call it out. Let’s burn it out. And in its place, let’s raise a culture of encouragement, collaboration, and community pride.

5. Bonfire Performative Peace

Peace is more than a pretty post or a staged moment. It’s how we live, love, and show up every day. Let’s burn the facades and build authentic peace from within—starting with ourselves.

6. Ignite a Fire Under Inaction

Knowing isn’t enough. If we truly want change—whether in mental health, education, justice, or the environment—we must act. Let Bonfire Night remind us: fire clears the way for new beginnings. Let’s take the first step.

7. Detox from the Digital World

Davia "Diversia" Ellis (left), the Jamaican ambassador for World Digital Detox Day presents an award to Gloria Simms affectionately called "Mama G" for outstanding works as cultural Ambassador, representing Jamaica and the diaspora.

Event: 17 th Annual Charles Town Maroon International Conference and festivals

In an age of endless scrolling, Bonfire Night is a sacred pause. No screens. No comparisons. Just warmth, community, and presence. It's a perfect time to reset our nervous systems, reduce digital dependency, and reclaim real-life joy. We don’t need Wi-Fi to feel connected—we need each other.

A Call to Action: What Will You Burn?

This Bonfire Night, ask yourself:

“What do I need to release to make room for peace and purpose?”

Write it down. Say it aloud. And let it burn.

Whether it’s a limiting belief, a toxic habit, or a digital addiction—there’s power in releasing. There’s peace in letting go.

Suggested Bonfire Activities:

🔥 Write down what you’re letting go of and toss it into the fire.

🔥 Host unplugged storytelling, drumming, or spoken word circles.

🔥 Invite attendees to take a 24-hour social media break starting at sundown.

🔥 Create a “Peace Pledge Wall” where people can write one positive habit they’ll begin.

🔥 Light candles for causes you care about—from climate justice to community healing.

Bonfire Night isn’t just an event—it’s a movement. A reset. A revolution.

Let’s burn what holds us back. Let’s kindle what brings us forward.

Let’s light the way—together. 🔥