Fela Friday: African Woman Edition

One of the reasons my parents disapproved of Fela was his morals.  At one point, he was married to 27 women. Yeah. He was a rascal.  The New York Times offers a write up on what role the women played in Fela’s legacy.  The article is accompanied by beautiful images of the women who represent Fela’s wives.

I’m intrigued because apparently the women have no lines in the production; what does that say of what we are allowed to know about women during that period?

There was a lot going on in Nigeria in the 60s and 70s, and a lot of women making powerful moves.  Fela’s own mother was a catalyst to his radicalization.  Mix in Yoruba mythology and worldviews surrounding women and you have a very powerful set of ingredients for an intriguing look at the radical African woman.