Motunrayo Kuti, daughter of the iconic Afrobeats pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, marked the solemn occasion of the 47th anniversary of the tragic Kalakuta burning.
On February 18, 1977, Fela’s vibrant sanctuary, known as Kalakuta Republic, was mercilessly raided by over 1,000 soldiers. Amidst chaos and violence, the commune’s inhabitants, including some of Fela’s wives, endured brutal assaults and unspeakable horrors. Tragically, Fela’s beloved mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, suffered fatal injuries after being thrown from a window during the raid.
In a poignant Instagram post, Motunrayo shared a poignant newspaper headline from The Punch, titled “FELA’S HOUSE BURNT,” echoing the sorrowful events of that fateful day.
Reflecting on the grievous loss, Motunrayo wrote: “Today in history, February 18, the government of Nigeria burnt Fela’s house, the Kalakuta Republic, yet justice remains elusive. Evil deeds persist. Fela’s mother, my grandma, was thrown out of the window on the first floor on that day, and she later succumbed to the injuries she sustained.”
Despite enduring the devastating loss of his mother and the destruction of his republic, Fela’s indomitable spirit never wavered. He continued to champion his cause with unwavering courage, remaining steadfast in his activism until his passing, just four months after his release from prison, due to complications arising from HIV/AIDS.
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, an esteemed figure known for her multifaceted contributions, was not only a teacher and political campaigner but also a traditional aristocrat. As the first woman in Nigeria to drive a car, she blazed trails and advocated fiercely for women’s rights, earning her titles such as the “doyenne of female rights in Nigeria” and “The Mother of Africa.”
Her legacy lives on as a powerful advocate for women’s suffrage and social justice. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), passed away in Lagos on April 13, 1978, leaving behind an enduring impact on Nigeria’s history and the fight for equality.