Home of the Legendary Fela Kuti
As a Nigerian, knowing the legendary Fela Anikulapo Kuti (late) popurlary known as Fela is a necessity. Fela was not just a popular singer but also a bandleader, composer, political activist, and Pan-Africanist. In our quest to know more about him, we visited the Kalakuta Museum. It was formerly known as Kalakuta Republic (2nd Kalakuta Republic) and was the official residence of Fela, his family, and Egypt 80 (his band members) from the 1970s until his passing in 1997.
Kalakuta Republic was initially located in Surulere, where Fela, his family, and Afrika 70 lived until 1977. The army invaded the building and burnt it to the ground. In the cause of this tragic incident, Fela’s 77 year old mother, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, a hero in Nigeria’s independence struggle, was thrown from an upstairs window on the second floor of the building, fracturing a leg, and died nine months after the incident.They did all these things to make Fela give in to the government. Fela was an activist who expressed himself through his music; they were not satisfied with how he slandered the government in his Music. Despite facing imprisonment multiple times and the burning of his house during a raid, he remained outspoken.
This building was renovated and established as a museum in 2012. On the left-hand side of the museum, you’ll find Fela’s tomb (He was buried in the residence). The walls of the museum are nicely decorated with portraits of Fela by different painters and artists.
Kalakuta Museum is now a historic centre where valuable items of Fela are being stored. Fela’s room was left untouched, as it was before his demise; his stage clothes, shoes, favourite fur, refrigerator, etc. were very much available for sightseeing. (Picture taking was prohibited.)
Kalakuta Hotel
There are also five hotel rooms where visitors could lodge and a rooftop restaurant and bar to relax.
Note that lodging in the hotel doesn’t give you access to the museum.
Our visit to the Kalakuta Museum was an insightful one. We got to learn a lot about the history of the legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti, and this is a must-visit spot in Lagos. Watch how our experience went here
Budget: N5,000
📍7 Gbemisola Street, Allen Avenue, Ikeja
