Video: How Fela got the name “Kalakuta Republic”
One of Fela Kuti’s former band members has shared a remarkable story about the incident that led to the origin of the legendary “Kalakuta Republic.” The revelation was contained in a video shared by a journalist who interviewed him. The video was obtained by Irohinoodua.
According to the band member, the story dates back to 1974.
It began with the missing daughter of a Police Commissioner going missing for about three to four months. She was eventually found at Fela’s house, where she had taken refuge.
The girl’s brother, upon recognizing her, started beating her for running away from home.
However, Fela’s household had a strict rule against any man laying hands on a woman, and his boys intervened, beating the brother in return. The brother’s injuries prompted him to visit Fela’s house again, this time with his mother, the police commissioner’s wife. She threatened to report the incident to her husband.
The police commissioner followed through on his wife’s threat, surrounding Fela’s house with officers and demanding that he open the door. Fela refused, insisting on seeing a search warrant.
The police attempted to break in, and a confrontation ensued. Fela and his boys were arrested and taken to various police stations before being locked up in what would later become known as the “Kalakuta cell” at Alagbon.
This incident marked the beginning of the term “Kalakuta Republic,” which Fela would later use to describe his compound, a hub for his music, activism, and communal living.
