Call for Contributors: A Digital Archive of Alternative Genders in Africa and Africa(n) Collections
Institution: TheMuseumsLab
Deadline: 19 February 2026
Location: Remote / International
This project explores how ideas about gender in African contexts were shaped by colonial history and highlights African communities’ gender identities and expressions beyond colonial categories of “man” and “woman.” The archive collects objects, stories, and perspectives showing the long presence of queer, non-binary, trans*, inter, feminist/womanist, and other alternative gender expressions in African histories. Examples include the Namibian ekoli instrument played by ovashengi (“gays”) and the gender-ambiguous mankishi created by Luba and Songye artists. The project aims to spark conversations, support new storytelling, and link precolonial queer identities with contemporary LGBTQI+ experiences, imagining decolonial, queer, and trans* futures in African contexts.
Who can participate
Cultural experts, artists, researchers, heritage communities, organizations, museums, activists, and others interested in contributing. Contributions may focus on museum artefacts and their queer histories, or objects, images, or videos connected to contemporary queer life in Africa or the diaspora, including themes of remembrance, community, queer ancestry, visibility, healing, spirituality, healthcare, body politics, or social inequalities.
Participation & Submission
The team supports contributors in turning text, audio, visual, or mixed material into an archive entry. Final contributions may include short essays, object analyses, artistic responses, interviews, or multimodal pieces. Contributors may be based anywhere. Submissions must be in English. A one-time honorarium of €600 is offered. Early-stage ideas and anonymous submissions are welcome.
Timeline
- Application deadline: 19 February 2026
- Response: 28 February 2026
- Submission of final contributions: September 2026
- Archive launch: December 2026
