Join us for this special day of ritual with Colin Campbell, whose practice aims to take people of all nations into a restored and reconnected relationship with the wider natural world.
Colin guides us through the steam ritual – a contemporary adaptation of an ancient Southern African tradition once widely practiced among nomadic and preindustrial communities. It served as a communal act of cleansing and purification, as well as a sacred means of marking significant social or spiritual occasions.
While the ritual centres on the use of heat and the generation of steam, its deeper potency arises from the combination of collective chanting and the infusion of traditional medicinal plants into the steam itself. Each ritual is shaped by its intention (most commonly used for healing, renewal or celebration) with specific chants and herbal preparations chosen to align with the purpose and desired effect of the gathering.
The day includes introductions to the steam ritual by Colin, preparation practices and ends with a shared meal and stories around the fire.
KFBG 70th Anniversary – Awakening of Memory
The Steam Ritual one-day experience is part of the celebrations marking the special occasion of KFBG’s 70th anniversary. It integrates a wider series of activities curated to deepen our connection with the Earth.
Guided by the theme ‘awakening of memory’, these gatherings call us to remember our place within the greater community of beings. This anniversary is an invitation to return, to remember and to share the stories that bind us to this living landscape of KFBG’s mountain and the Earth itself. It is about how we live in the present and the future we shape together – deepening the dialogue between people and nature, and carrying this shared legacy forward in an ever-changing world.
About the Teachers
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Colin Campbell As a descendant of Scottish aristocracy, born in Zimbabwe (1963) and trained by some of the most renowned African healers of Southern Africa, Colin Campbell has become known for being a knowledge-bridge between rare pre-industrial African culture and contemporary Western culture.
As a child, Colin travelled through Africa with his father, Alec Campbell, a celebrated cultural historian and archaeologist. From the age of seven, he was introduced to some of the most powerful African healers and magicians in Botswana, who instantly recognised the boy’s calling as a healer and accepted him as a student. Colin experienced and integrated ancient aspects of traditional African knowledge through the rigorous rituals and training from his teachers. This resulted in a deep understanding of animism and its inextricable connection to the natural world.
Through his in-depth knowledge of African culture, Jungian psychology and contemporary artistic practice, Colin has cultivated a uniquely authentic personal philosophy that he has developed into wilderness-based practices. His practices aim to take people of all nations into a restored and reconnected relationship with the wider natural world. |
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Event Details
Date: 15 March 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 14:00 - 20:30 with dinner
Note: During the steam ritual, participants will change into comfortable, wet-friendly outfits.
Venue: Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden
Language: English
Target Audience: Aged 18 or above
Fee: HK$1,200 per person, including guided sessions, vegetarian dinner and refreshment
Application: CLICK HERE
- Please submit your online application form on or before 8 March 2026 (Sunday).
- Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Payment is not refundable after acceptance, unless the programme is cancelled due to inclement weather.
Enquiry:
Please send an email to Ms Jamie Ngai (Education Department) at jamie.ngai@kfbg.org
Terms & Conditions:
Upon submission of your application and payment, you are deemed to have accepted all Terms and Regulations of this retreat, and the guidelines below:
In case of any dispute, the organiser has the right to the final decision.
Related Links
- Kadoorie Earth Programme (KEP) is an initiative co-created by KFBG and its network of collaborators and volunteers. By integrating the various strands of KFBG’s nature conservation, sustainable living and holistic education programmes, it provides life-transforming learning experiences that reconnect people with themselves, each other and the rest of nature and enable them to cultivate resilience in the face of global challenges.
- Nature Art Programmes: Immerse yourself in silent contemplation of nature. Deepen your awareness of beauty and connect with nature through art. KFBG organises a variety of art workshops including Zentangle drawing, sketching and wood art, and exhibitions to guide participants, with or without artistic background, to create nature art.
- Nature Education Programmes: Become animal detectives and explore the mysteries of wild animals. Use different senses to discover the beauty of plants. Learn about the significance of forest, trees and even soils through field visits, experiments and woodwork, to reconnect with nature.
- Group Guided Tours: Led by trained environmental interpreters, the content includes experiential and hands-on activities. We encourage a passion for nature, conservation and ecology by nurturing an appreciation of the natural world.
- Corporate Programmes: Our Holistic Education Department staff can design either half-day or full-day nature education and art programmes for corporate staff or their family members based on specific needs. Leveraging the unique natural landscape and cultural ambiance of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, our activities may include guided tours, farm-to-table experiences, nature-based workshops, talks and art activities, aiming to promote understanding and practice of sustainable living for organisations.