African and Afro-descendant cultural events scheduled for October 2026

In October 2026, a wide array of cultural events will highlight African and Afro-descendant scenes across global locations including Paris, Brussels, Marrakech, Kampala, Geneva, London, and Reunion Island. The month features a heavy emphasis on visual arts, cinema, dance, and international fairs.

In Paris, the Fondation Cartier will host ‘Le Temps des récoltes’ starting October 22, featuring Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama. The exhibition explores economic history and industrial heritage through collected materials and archives, involving artists such as James Barnor and Zohra Opoku. Additionally, the Musée d’Art moderne de Paris will present ‘A Fashionable Marriage’ by Zanzibar-born, UK-based artist Lubaina Himid, focusing on Black representation and colonial narratives.

Other notable exhibitions include Martin Abega’s ‘Sacred Languages: The Metamorphoses’ at the Filafriques gallery in Geneva, and Sanaa Gateja’s ‘They Too Are the Earth’ at the Afriart Gallery in Kampala, which utilizes organic materials like banana fiber and bark. The tenth edition of the Mois Kréyol Festival will also take place, celebrating Creole cultures and figures of the Afro-descendant diaspora.