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Kalakuta Republic Museum: Learn All About Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s Final Resting Place

I vaguely remember the day Fela Anikulapo-Kuti died as I was only 4 years old at the time. The radio stations had his music on repeat and by evening, they were playing his songs on the Television shows. Something terrible had happened, I knew this but what I didn’t know what the specific thing was. I had an aunt who loved to play his songs and force us to dance to them and she told me that Fela was sick and that he refused to go to a hospital to get treatment.

This gives a little context to why this visit to the Kalakuta Museum, Ikeja was very surreal to me. I mean, the place held snippets to the life and times of the great Fela Anikulapo-Kuti

Who was Fela Anikulapo-Kuti?

Until his death in 1997, Fela Kuti was a Nigerian musician and activist whose life and death was riddled with a lot of controversies. Also known as “Abami Eda” Fela used the lyrical content of his music to criticize Military rulers, particularly Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo.

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To this day, a number of young musicians and activists ascribe their courage to Fela’s ideas and they have gone on to sample a number of his works.

See also: Exploring West Africa’s Chale Wote Street Festival and Accra Town

History of the Kalakuta Republic Museum

Kalakuta Museum can be classified as a speciality-museum in that it focuses on one subject area, which is the life and times of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

The current location of the Kalakuta museum served as Fela’s abode while he was alive. Almost everything Fela touched and used in his last days has been preserved in this space. From his toothbrush and soap to his pants and shoes, everything is on display at this museum to help you understand and relive life through Fela’s eyes.

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Fela’s Pants

In 1974, Fela was thrown into prison for “corruption of minors and possession of cannabis”. He spent 11 months in a cell called ‘Kalakuta’ and that was where the name “Kalakuta Republic” was born. Upon his release, the music icon renamed his residence in Ikeja, Kalakuta Republic.

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Beautiful artwork on display at the Kalakuta Republic Museum

Where is Kalakuta Repblic Museum

The Kalakuta Museum isn’t far from the Fela Shrine, Ikeja. The address is 7 Gbemisola street, Allen Avenue Ikeja, Lagos.

If you’re not driving or taking a cab. You can take a “Keke Maruwa” from either Opebi or Allen junction and tell the driver you’re going to the Kalakuta Museum. They’ll drop you off at the appropriate junction.

If you’re driving or using a car hire service, just plug the address into your Google Maps app. It’s quite straightforward.

How much is Entrance Fees to Kalakuta Republic Museum?

We visited on a Sunday and we paid 1,000 Naira each to visit. While some advised to bargain, I’m not really down for driving “unreasonable” bargains at tourist attractions. This is because I believe these places need to generate income in order to maintain a standard, and if my money would help to do that, I’ll gladly pay my 2 cents.

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Everything Na Art

Artwork on Display

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Fela’s Typewriter (I bet children of these days don’t even know what this is).

The Kalakuta museum helped to put some perspective on parts of his life that I didn’t know. During my visit, I saw the original artwork for all of Fela’s albums and our tour guide shared the inspiration behind some of them.

Fun but weird fact: Fela had so many wives! We were told that he married some of these women because they had basically been cast out by society. He married as many as 27 in a day.

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Fela and his dancers

We got to see photos from Fela’s early years up until his last days. These included his family, mom, siblings, and children.

Verdict of My Visit

This is probably the most well-maintained museum I have ever been to in Nigeria. Maybe because it’s a private museum.

If you’re travelling to Lagos, Nigeria for the first time or the umpteenth time, please add this place to your itinerary. Just ensure you visit on any day other than a Sunday.

The grounds also boast of a hotel and from the reviews I’ve seen online, it’s pretty decent. The area is serene and it looked safe from what I saw. Also, the Kalakuta restaurant on the rooftop has a great view of the area as well as a nice background for photos. Make great use of it like we did 😁! 

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Jadesola, Yemisi and Gbemisola

I explored the Kalakuta Republic Museum and Restaurant with my friend Gbemisola of Allaboutgbxmi and Yemisi, my friend with whom I visited the Nike Art Gallery for the first time.

You can watch our experience on my YouTube channel – Jade’s Unfiltered Life:

 

Check out more photos from the Kalakuta Museum visit:

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9 Comments
  • Wumi ‘Tuase
    Posted at 11:17h, 17 August Reply

    I’m actually ashamed to say I’ve never been there. Definitely going to before the year ends. Fela is a legend and I think these new artistes are just reaching because until they start to fight for what’s right, they’ll never attain his status. This is a detailed review and I loved reading. Well done.
    http://www.wumituase.com

    • Jadesola Odujole
      Posted at 10:48h, 22 August Reply

      Thanks, Wumi. I love how artists like Burna Boy and Wizkid don’t deny Fela’s influence on their music. Do tag me when you visit the Kalakuta republic.

  • Ogunyemi Oluwabukola
    Posted at 11:32h, 17 August Reply

    I’ve lived in Lagos all my life but too bad I haven’t visited any of those places lol.
    I’m sure you had an amazing time.

    • Jadesola Odujole
      Posted at 10:44h, 22 August Reply

      Yes! I loved visiting the Kalakuta Museum. Thanks for reading.

  • Vanessa Ohaha
    Posted at 12:10h, 17 August Reply

    I agree with you about not bargaining unnecessarily on fees for sites like these. I haven’t still been here, I should.

    • Jadesola Odujole
      Posted at 10:43h, 22 August Reply

      You totally should. Since my visit, the way I think of Fela Anikulapo Kuti has totally changed.

  • Sarah
    Posted at 12:16h, 17 August Reply

    I have been procrastinating on my visit, you just gave me a reason to make it happen.
    Thanks for sharing

    • Jadesola Odujole
      Posted at 10:42h, 22 August Reply

      Yaaaay! Thank you for reading. You can tag me on social when you eventually visit.

  • Cindy Amos
    Posted at 19:48h, 13 November Reply

    Such a lovely piece! Well done Jade.

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