Artist and performer talks about the art of ‘Breathing Fire’

FOR centuries, people around the world have been captivated by the art of fire breathing—a daring and mesmerising performance where skilled artistes seemingly exhale bright, hot bursts of fire. But not everything is as it seems. Pepperpot Magazine sat down with one of Guyana’s well-known actors, Sean Thomas, to explore his lesser-known skill of fire breathing.

The 54-year-old artist, sign-language interpreter, and performer learned the intricate art of fire breathing from his father. Today, Sean continues to hone his “fiery skills” as he prepares for Mashramani. For Sean, this ancient art is more than a crowd-pleasing spectacle—it is an art form deeply rooted in tradition and a form of self-expression, teaching him and others to embody the bold, bright, and unyielding nature of the fire within.

Well-known in Guyana’s creative landscape for over two decades, Sean has made a name for himself as an artist. He shared, “My painting reflects everything I’m passionate about, like resilience with fire breathing. Most of my art reflects who I really am—mostly my African culture, just keeping it alive and so forth,” he stated.

While his visual art garners much recognition, it is Sean’s ability to seemingly “breathe fire” that leaves a lasting impression. Born and raised in the mining town of Linden, fire breathing and acrobatic performances were family traditions. Reflecting on his beginnings, Sean said, “I first started fire breathing with my dad one afternoon. He said, ‘You’ve got to go on stage.’ I said, ‘But I’ve never done it before!’ He replied, ‘I’ll teach you.’ The first thing I had to do was practise with water—get it in my mouth, spit it out properly, and so forth. That was my start.”

Over the years, Sean has mastered the techniques his father taught him while innovating new tricks of his own. “When my father performed, he’d blow fire into the air and do the African dance. I told myself, ‘I’ve got to take this to the next level,’” he said. Sean has done just that by forming one of the few fire-breathing companies in Guyana. His business, Ackufyaa, features a team of fire performers he has personally trained. Together, they’ve graced Guyana’s biggest stages during events like Cricket Carnival and Mashramani.

The discipline behind fire breathing
If you’ve ever seen a fire-breathing performance up close, you know how awe-inspiring it is to watch performers seemingly become one with the flames. However, Sean emphasises that while captivating, fire breathing requires careful preparation and discipline. “For you to acquire this skill of fire breathing, there are certain things you need to know before you attempt it,” he explained.

Fire breathing is not for the faint of heart. It involves holding flammable liquid in your mouth and expelling it forcefully to create the signature “dragon breath” effect. This demands peak physical condition. “You must be healthy. Sometimes the kerosene’s scent or taste could make you faint,” Sean said. He further advised, “Learn how to keep the kerosene in your mouth and how to spit it out properly to ignite the fire.”

Though the illusion of spitting fire is dazzling, safety remains Sean’s top priority. In addition to standard precautions like avoiding flammable materials, keeping a wet rag handy, and having an extinguisher nearby, Sean meticulously assesses his environment before every performance. “The first thing is your safety. You have to protect yourself at all times. Know where the wind is blowing from, whether it’s indoors or outdoors. Be aware of your surroundings, especially flammable stuff like organza or feathers,” he said.

Inspiring a new generation
Though still a niche skill, fire breathing has gained traction in recent years, with more adventurous young men and women expressing interest. To these aspiring performers, Sean offers valuable advice: “You must practise with water first to learn how to keep it in your mouth and spit it out properly before igniting the kerosene. Don’t use tools that you can’t handle. Know every technique you need to get the work done.” He added, “You need to grow with the flames. Don’t look for the first big flame and say you’ve got it. It’s a process.”

One of Sean’s biggest inspirations is his father, whose determination continues to drive him. “I heard people say about my father, ‘He’s a person who never says he can’t do it.’” Sean shared, “I give myself the opportunity to make it happen, no matter what it is.”

Throughout his career, Sean has also worked with people living with disabilities as a sign-language interpreter—a role that has profoundly impacted him. “The persons with disabilities I worked with made me who I am today. They made me strong and helped me understand who I really am,” he said.

Looking ahead, Sean hopes to continue teaching others about fire breathing. For years, he has championed it as an art form alongside his visual art. Recent opportunities have taken him across Guyana and South America, where he amazes audiences with his unique talent. As Mashramani approaches, Sean is eager to bring his fiery passion to the streets once again.