submitted on Sat, 02/16/2008 - 21:43 in The Shrine Niche by BossyDiva 
The old Shrine in Lagos is no more, but in 2000 a new Afrka Shrine was built in the same neighbourhood as the old one.
The man behind it all Fela's son, Femi Kuti - a successful musician in his own right.
|
|
The new shrine is not only a night club but also a centre for all the performing arts.
By so doing, Femi feels he will be setting an example to other rich Nigerians.
"If I can do that I've set a standard. Every rich man can do that, bring all the money back, invest it in our schools, our schools don't even have windows, the teachers are not even paid.,." he said.
Femi may never become the icon his father was, but he does perform in the same Afro-beat style, taking inspiration from the bustling, hot and noisy streets of Lagos.
For more than two decades Fela performed at the shrine with the same incredible energy with which he enjoyed drugs and women.
Fela was always larger than life.
For millions of Nigerians he was a hero - for his fearless opposition to military rule and his heady lifestyle.
Nigerians will tell you that shrine or no shrine, Fela's spirit lives on- he is remembered with an affection that many politicians and generals can only dream of.
But the opening of the new shrine will provide a venue for new Nigerian talent and, who knows, may become the place for new legends to be born.
extracts from BBC article
