The commune of Afa was created through land abandonment by Sarrola-Carcopino and the Valle-di-Mezzana ("I Vaddi di Mezana"). The first mayor of Afa was called Carlo Calvelli and he was elected in 1852 and remained until his death in 1858 at the age of 48 years. The village was populated by shepherds from Bocognano during the migration of sheep to summer pastures. This explains the bocognanaise origin of old families in Afa. In summer, many Afaiens return to the village of Bocognano.