The Afrofuturist Village


Under the Future Africa Visions In Time (FAVT) touring exhibition, The Afrofuturist Village by Masiyaleti Mbewe is an ongoing exhibition that uses various mediums (text, video and photography) to examine the different identities, diverse cultures and languages that might exist in the Afrofuture.


This exhibition focuses on using space as one of the central themes; how Black people occupy space and how Black people can imagine non-monolithic Blackness in the future. The exhibition also questions why "space is the place" and theorises a future that does not require a Black exodus into outer space but rather imagines a world that is accepting of Blackness.


The Afrofuturist Village establishes how the concept of Afrofuturism can be applied to the African experience. By linking the various histories of African languages, post-colonial narratives and the desire to reconnect, re-establish and renew; the Afrofuturist village expands the theory of transcending space and time in an effort to suggest inclusivity in Afrofuturism.


The exhibition utilised the use of braille for the visually impaired and sign language interpretations for the deaf and hard of hearing communities to make the exhibition more inclusive and accessible.


Lastly, The Afrofuturist Village is the groundwork for the more expansive future exhibitions; The Afrofuturist Town, The Afrofuturist City and eventually, The Afrofuturist Metropolis.

First showcased at 'The Afrofuturist Village' exhibition at the Goethe-Institut Namibia
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Asteria by Masiyaleyi Mbewe

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Asteria by Masiyaleyi Mbewe

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First showcased at 'The Afrofuturist Village' exhibition at the Goethe-Institut Namibia
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Self-Portrait

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Self-Portrait

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First showcased at 'The Afrofuturist Village' exhibition at the Goethe-Institut Namibia
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Diana Abankwah by Masiyaleti Mbewe

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Diana Abankwah by Masiyaleti Mbewe

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“Language is the naming of experience and thereby, the possession of experience. Language makes possible a connection that leads to a reality. For all of these things, language is political. Power belongs to the ones who have the power to determine the use, abuse, rejection, definition/redefinition of the words – we try to say to each other.”

-June Jordan

First showcased at 'The Afrofuturist Village' exhibition at the Goethe-Institut Namibia
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Ericke by Masiyaleti Mbewe

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Ericke by Masiyaleti Mbewe

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First showcased at 'The Afrofuturist Village' exhibition at the Goethe-Institut Namibia
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GenderGemini by Masiyaleti Mbewe

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GenderGemini by Masiyaleti Mbewe

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First showcased at 'The Afrofuturist Village' exhibition at the Goethe-Institut Namibia
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Nunu and Georgina

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Nunu and Georgina

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First showcased at 'The Afrofuturist Village' exhibition at the Goethe-Institut Namibia
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Jay Aeron by Masiyaleti Mbewe

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Jay Aeron by Masiyaleti Mbewe

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First showcased at 'The Afrofuturist Village' exhibition at the Goethe-Institut Namibia
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Tove by Masiyaleti Mbewe

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Tove by Masiyaleti Mbewe

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First showcased at 'The Afrofuturist Village' exhibition at the Goethe-Institut Namibia
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Selma by Masiyaleti Mbewe

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Selma by Masiyaleti Mbewe

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Pan-African Futurism


This is the application of afrofuturistic ideals and philosophies in a pan-african context. This definition of afrofuturism intends to expand the mostly westernized use of afrofuturism in Africa


-Masiyaleti Mbewe and Phillip Khabo Khopsell

Using Format