Fela Kuti: Fear No Man 10: Death in His Pouch
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Dec 3, 2025 John Collins, a musician and scholar who played with Fela Kuti, shares gripping insights about the iconic figure's life. Collins recounts how Fela's larger-than-life presence made his followers feel invincible. He discusses Fela’s bold name change to Anikulapo and the tumultuous aftermath of the 1977 raid on his compound. The impact of Fela’s mother’s death spurred a spiritual shift, as well as the disillusionment among band members. As Collins reflects on Fela’s enduring legacy, he emphasizes music as a powerful weapon for resistance.
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Name As Political Destiny
- Fela changed his name to Anikulakpo meaning "I have death in my pouch" as a defiant claim of destiny and resistance.
- That name embodied his messianic self-belief and framed his confrontations with police and state power.
The Burning Of Calcutta Compound
- In 1977 soldiers burned Fela's compound, raped dancers, and threw his mother from a window, leaving him barred from performing and financially ruined.
- Thousands watched the house burn and the event shattered his trust in the public's willingness to defend him.
Marriage As Organizational Strategy
- After the burning, Fela struggled financially and lost talent and followers, prompting him to marry 27 women publicly as a way to retain his performers.
- The wedding functioned partly as an organizational move to keep his band and dancers from leaving.