Fela’s New Afrika Shrine

Fela’s inspiration for the original Afrika Shrine is barely remembered now, but it is noteworthy and is reflected in today’s New Afrika Shrine. Fela modelled his club, which he opened in 1972, in part on the Mbari Artists and Writers Club in the university city of Ibadan. The Mbari, which Fela knew well in the mid 1960s, was founded in spring 1961, some six months after Nigeria won independence from Britain. It was both a place of entertainment and a cultural and political salon, where young Nigerians gathered in a spirit of optimism to discuss the country’s post-colonial future. Fela’s cousin Wole Soyinka co-founded the Mbari after a spell in London, where he had been studying and sharing accommodation with Fela.

The Shrine was Fela’s home from home until a few weeks before his passing in 1997, when it fell into disrepair. The New Afrika Shrine, which opened in 2000, was built by his family, led by his eldest daughter, Yeni, and his eldest son, Femi. Their primary motivation was, and remains, to acknowledge and preserve the contribution Fela and the Shrine made to the local community and to the broader evolution of post-colonial Africa. Unable to reopen the original Shrine, because it stood on land leased for the duration of Fela’s life only, the family built a new one. They invested a substantial proportion of the monies received from licensing Fela’s back catalogue in the project.

There is no entrance fee for most events at the New Afrika Shrine, the doors are open 24/7, and everyone – locals and overseas visitors, rich and poor, black and white – is given the same warm welcome, often by Yeni herself when she is in town. Femi performs with his band The Positive Force every Thursday and Sunday, unless he is away on tour. His younger brother Seun appears with Egypt 80 on the last Saturday of every month, unless he is on tour. There is a popular disco night on Fridays.

If you looking for a cool spot to chill during the weekend in  Ikeja, Lagos, The New Afrika Shrine is the place to be. It’s a huge shed, great music that can blow  roof off. They give their client a nice treat as they wait your tables and welcome you at the gate. You can contact them for outdoor catering as they cater for any type of event.