Fela’s Kalakuta Republic Becomes a Museum

The house of the late Afrobeat musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has been formally renamed the Kalakuta Republic Museum. 

Living up to its promise to turn Fela’s Shrine into an international museum, the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations, in collaboration with members of the Ransome-Kuti family, inaugurated the monument on October 15, 2012. 

The museum is located at 7 Gbemisola Street in Ikeja and its opening marks the 74th birthday of the legendary musician. The museum is one of the Kuti family’s efforts to preserve and promote Fela’s legacy.

Inside the museum are some of Fela’s personal effects, including the last bed sheet he used before his death in 1997, his saxophone, photographs and over 3,000 items of clothing. Other displays feature the late musician’s album covers, famous for their depiction of his strident political opinions.
Lemmy Gariokwu, designer of many of Fela’s album covers and the curator of the museum, said by the time other necessary things have been put in place, people will truly be able to experience Fela’s spirit for themselves.
The museum, which will be managed by Total Consult, is expected to bring back to life Lagos’s old social life and culture.

The inauguration of the museum coincided with the opening of ‘Felabration,’ a yearly festival held in commemoration of Fela’s life and work.

source: www.zodml.org