Visit To The Kalakuta Republic Museum – Celebration of a Great Icon
Kalakuta Republic Museum – Just in case you are wondering how the home of the Late Fela Kuti was like or what it will be like to have a feel of his life when he was alive. Kalakuta Republic museum has answers to all your question. The Kalakuta Republic Museum is the exact Replica of the Home of the king of Afro Music Fela Anikulapo Kuti. The house is now a museum and a guest house located in Ikeja. A place where lovers of the great music legend, fun lovers, history enthusiasts or tourist can go to learn more about the life of the Late Abami Eda as he is fondly called.
It doesn’t matter whether you are a lover of Afro music or the music legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti. This museum represents the home to struggle, resilience against the military oppressors, activism and a hope for the future. It gives an insight into the life of the late Abami Eda as Fela was fondly called.
The Birth of Kalakuta Museum
The Kalakuta Museum was borne out of what used to be known as the Kalakuta Republic. The Home and studio of the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
The Kalakuta Museum was the official residence of the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, his 27 wives, band and his family. The Kalakuta RepubIic also features his studio and album covers. Most of his recordings happened here.
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The name Kalakuta was adopted from one of the prison cells he stayed during his conviction known as Calcutta cell on gaining freedom he decided to name his abode the Kalakuta Republic which he later declared a sovereign state which even angered the then Military Government.
The museum features Fela’s trademark fashion items like shoes, clothes, underwears, musical instruments, fashion collections, photographs, artworks etc
The journey to making this place a museum was conceived by his family and the contract awarded to Theo Lawson. Theo Lawson is the man responsible for converting Her Royal majesty Prison to Freedom Park. This was in partnership with the Lagos State Government under the leadership Babatunde Raji Fashola.
History Of Kalakuta Republic, Now Kalakuta Museum
The Kalakuta Republic Museum was an initiative of the former Governor of Lagos Babatunde Raji Fashola. It was rebuilt in 2012 to help people understand the life and struggle of the Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti. But before then it was just the abode of the Fela which he declared a republic and a sovereign state and Independent from Nigeria due to the corruption of the then Military Government of Nigeria. The Museum was officially opened on October 15, 2012, in commemoration of his 74th Birthday. It was renovated by the Lagos State Government and is being managed by Total Consult Limited.
About Fela Anikulapo Kuti – Founder of Kalakuta Republic
The late Fela Anikulapo Kuti was a freedom fighter who used his music to fight against corruption, the military and dictatorship rule which under the military rule. He was born on 15th October 1938 in Abeokuta and he died on 2nd August 1997.
Facts About Fela Anikulapo Kuti
- He formed his own political party known as Movement of the People
- Fela Anikulapo Kuti invented the Afrobeat
- He changed his surname from Ransome to Anikulapo Kuti
- Fela married twenty-seven (27) wives in one day. His backup musicians and dancers were majorly his wives.
Facilities at The Kalakuta Republic Museum
Here are some of the facilities at the Kalakuta Museum.
1. Collection of Fela’s fashion apparel
2. Fela’s Collections of Shoes
3. A rare view of Fela’s bedroom
4. Relics of his musical Instruments
5. It has a 5 room Hotel
6. An open roof restaurant/lounge
7. Different Artworks
8. Enjoy great view and food from the open roof restaurant
9. Artworks of his album cover
10. Relics of Fela’s Musical Instruments
11. Fela’s Musical Studio
Things to Do at the Kalakuta Republic
1. Lodge at one of the five rooms guesthouse
2. See Fela’s Tomb
3. See Fela’s clothes collections
4. See The covers to his albums
4. See some artworks
6. Get a souvenir from the gift shops
7. Get a nice view of the city from the rooftop
8. Business or casual meetings
Things that are not Allowed at the Kalakuta Republic Museum
1. No Drugs
2. No Professional cameras, however, you can use your phone’s cameras
3. No slippers within the building.
4. Children are not allowed at the roof-top lounge
Location of the Kalakuta Museum
9, Gbemiola Street, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
Some of the height of the tour was his bedroom, rehearsal room, private photo collections, artworks and the Lounge.
Other Tourist Attractions Close to Kalakuta Republic Museum
The New Afrika Shrine
Ikeja City Mall
Lagos Airport Hotel
JJT Park
Kanu Nduibuisi Park
Governors Office
List of Other places you can visit within Lagos.
For Private Or Group Tours
Looking for a personalised Private tour Within Lagos? Contact us
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