fayawo
2024
fayawo on the run,can they outrun the law?
the story
Originating from the Yoruba language, Fayawo carries a rich cultural significance that extends beyond its literal meaning of “crawling on the chest.” This term encapsulates the essence of stealth, evasion, and secretive movement, making it a fitting expression for various acts of slipping through unnoticed.
People who grew up around border towns often talk about the endless chase between fayawó (smugglers) and customs officers. motorcycles overloaded with bags of rice speeding through bush paths, small buses packed with hidden fuel containers, and border patrols in hot pursuit. Despite the risks, the trade never stops because, for many, it is not just a business but a necessity.
Smuggling, known locally as fayawó, thrives along the Nigeria-Benin Republic border, driven by high import tariffs, border restrictions, and economic hardship. Many families rely on it to survive, moving goods like rice, fuel, frozen poultry, and second-hand clothes without paying official duties. Some take bigger risks, smuggling cars and banned items, using back roads, small boats, and hidden compartments to evade authorities. It’s a risky trade, one trip can sustain a family for weeks, but getting caught brings heavy losses.
the character
Jide is 32 years old, but life on the road has made him look older. He’s been smuggling goods across the border to make a living. With one hand on the steering wheel and one eye on the rearview mirror, he knows every backroad, every shortcut, and every trick to evade customs officers. he treats his car like its his lifeline although you can question that care whenever there is a chase.
Jide knows the risks—seized goods, jail time, or worse—but he also knows the reward. One successful trip could mean school fees for his children and food on the table. So every time he grips the wheel, he says a quick prayer, takes a deep breath, and disappears into the night, ready for another high-speed chase.
the car
Fayawo drivers rely heavily on cars with powerful engines, strong suspensions and can handle the stress of constant rough driving. The cars are often modified to blend into their surroundings, usually appearing worn out, with some parts replaced.
To enhance their functionality, these vehicles are stripped of excess weight, no back seats, no interior panels, just enough space to pack as much contraband as possible. the cars are often raised at the back to handle the extra weight of the goods they carry and also for speed so as to easily evade the authorities, some even modify their fuel tanks to carry extra petrol, allowing them to drive long distances without stopping. This specialized adjustment reduces the chances of mechanical failure in high-risk situations.
the road
The success of fayawó smuggling isn’t just about the cars or the drivers it’s also about the roads they take. These are not the smooth highways most people are used to. Instead, smugglers rely on hidden paths deep in the bush, narrow village roads, and sometimes even dried-up riverbeds to transport their goods without attracting attention.
These routes are rough, filled with potholes, and nearly impassable during the rainy season. Drivers must know every twist, turn, and escape route, as one mistake can mean losing everything.
Speed is key, but so is control- getting stuck or crashing can lead to arrest. Despite government crackdowns, these roads remain lifelines for the fayawó trade, constantly shifting as new routes emerge to keep the business alive.
team
director
concept art
akinte ponmile
modeling + lookdev
boluwatife abatan ● emmanuel olatoye
rigging
folu taiwo
animation
onyeme micheal ● olatoye emmanuel
simulation + fx
boluwatife abatan ● onyeme micheal
lighting
martins imokhai
tooling
aderemi adesada ● fausan hassan
sound design
saye bawa
