About the Fayasite Kollektif

The "Fayasite Kollectif," derived from the term "Fireside", embodies an artistic collective, a community hub, and a library all converging to earnestly envision decolonized futures. Rooted in the conviction that we are not merely inheritors of the Earth from our ancestors but temporary stewards entrusted by our children, we see ourselves as igniters capable of kindling fresh flames from age-old sparks. Central to our ethos is the concept of the fireside—a communal arena where growth, learning, knowledge transmission, narratives, shared nourishment, and collective aspirations for a world emancipated from colonisation, enslavement, capitalism, patriarchy, and other oppressive forces converge. The Fayasite Kollectif serves as an audacious and experimental domain for world-building, where actions and expressions manifest as gestures towards decolonial worlding.

We are animated not solely by our discerning evaluation/experience of the violence, estrangement, and subjugation ingrained within the colonial, capitalist, and patriarchal global framework, along with their intricate intersections. Ours is a realm that actively partakes in an uncompromising critique of these frameworks. Yet, our radical stance transcends mere critique; it encompasses a profound sense of concern. The fayasite, emblematic of our unified vigour, practices, and aspirations, is more than a tool for dismantling Western-imposed concepts and oppressive structures in the pursuit of decolonization. It also encapsulates our radical devotion to care. We look at or to the fayasite as the culmination of our collective energies and desires, a haven of warmth and illumination—a space where we collectively seek solace and enlightenment.

Our unwavering dedication to decolonial worlding, world-making, and decolonial futurities is at the very core of our identity, evident from our name itself—Fayasite, derived from the pidgin term for "fireside." The fireside, both in its physical and conceptual form, has been a locus of knowledge-sharing within our communities, a space where familial histories, political trajectories, and cultural nourishment intersect over shared meals, political discussions, aesthetic expressions, and corporeal connections. Our mission revolves around the reclamation and revitalization of indigenous cultures, languages, traditions, and knowledge systems. However, we view these not only as alternative epistemologies to Western thought, but as spaces where new narratives, possibilities, and worlds can be articulated and nurtured. This is underscored by our preference for pidgin English, a creole language that mirrors our vision of cultural intersection and synthesis.

Although our physical presence will manifest in Yaoundé, Cameroon, our spirit embraces Transnational Solidarity—a unity that extends beyond geographical borders. Leveraging our online platform and exhibitions, we strive to foster networks of collaboration and solidarity across borders, rallying against colonial legacies collectively, even as national boundaries persist. At the heart of our pursuits stands the envisioned library—a haven destined to house radical anti-colonial and anti-capitalist literature, both in written and experiential forms. This library is envisaged as a spark of fire, a source of ignition that fuels our innate capacity to conceive uncharted realms and futures. Through engagement with these texts and embodied expressions, we foster the nourishment required to envision alternatives and dismantle the constraints of the present.

The architectural design for the Fayasite space is an embodiment of our collective vision, reflecting our commitment to fostering a multifunctional haven for creativity, reflection, education, and community engagement. This versatile space has been thoughtfully conceptualised to facilitate a range of activities that align with our principles of decolonial world-making and radical criticism. Once built, it will host a library that can also serve as a performance area, auditorium, community gathering space, exhibition space. The space will also host an art studio and music recording studio, these dedicated studios embody the power of creativity in driving change.

Your support is essential in bringing this visionary space to life. Your contribution not only fuels the physical construction but also nourishes the ideas and ideals that will flourish within its walls. As a collective driven by care, critique, and radical transformation, we invite you to be part of our journey. Together, we can cultivate a space that transcends the limitations of the past and cultivates futures grounded in justice, equity, and self-determination.