Inikadowa

Before the missionaries came with their lanterns and crosses, we had our own constellations. We lit fires for rituals, carved symbols into bamboo, and wove meaning into every thread, feather, and flame.

Inikadowa is a word conjured from the wind — part memory, part myth. A towering bird, feathered with Parol lanterns, rises from the desert floor. Its body is made of bamboo, batik, and steel. Its wings shimmer with the light of many stories — the kind passed down in whispers, across oceans, through generations of Filipinos in the diaspora.

This installation reimagines the Parol, a beloved lantern of Filipino Christmas, not as a colonial heirloom — but as a vessel of pre-colonial imagination. A technology of the spirit. A symbol of resilience, invention, and communal creativity.

Here, we bring back the light that existed before the doctrine, honoring indigenous roots while remixing materials, methods, and meaning for a modern, cosmopolitan ritual.

At Burning Man, where everything burns and rebirths, Inikadowa becomes a beacon — not just of nostalgia, but of possibility.

We invite you to help us build this bird, light these feathers, and carry this story.

Work in progress

Meet the Team

Lynn Luzano Bryant

3V [3vilyn.vortex] is a bi-cultural Filipino-American neurodivergent artist exploring identity, resilience, and mental health through mixed media and virtual culture.
James Anthony Walters

Former Assistant Automotive/Truck/Fuel truck mechanic at Black Rock City, Burning Man, Nevada
Jeff Olhoeft

Senior software developer with experience with a wide range of languages. Strong in data analysis and presentation.
Melanie Mcknight

Creative graphic designer with print-to-digital expertise, intuitive visual storytelling, and a fast, collaborative approach to delivering impactful designs.
Robert Mangrobang

Creative Director blending UX, craft, and Filipino heritage to create thoughtful, hands-on experiences rooted in culture, community, and sustainability.
Kawayan Collective

Worker-owned bamboo co-op led by 33 builders, with women at every level. Building better homes for all Filipinos.