riddle@im4u.UUCP (08/13/85)
In article <389@mhuxr.UUCP> mfs@mhuxr.UUCP (SIMON) writes: >> I don't know all the facts about Fela. I have heard that he is immensely >> popular in his native Nigeria, where he returned after playing on the >> London jazz circuit for years. I have also heard that his uncompromising >> denunciation of the graft and corruption rampant in the Nigerian government >> have brought upon him the wrath of the authorities. As long as we're talking about Fela Kuti's politics, I suppose I should mention the one other thing I've heard about him: he is sexist to the point of fanaticism, believes that the proper role of women is a degree of subservience to men that is extreme even (I am told) by traditional Nigerian standards, and maintains a harem. None of this is intended to justify his imprisonment, but if you're thinking about getting a "Free Fela Kuti" bumpersticker (they're popping out all over in Austin), you should know about the bad as well as the good. (I suppose that followups should go to net.nlang.africa only, unless they return to the subject of Fela's music.) --- Prentiss Riddle ("Aprendiz de todo, maestro de nada.") --- {ihnp4,harvard,seismo,gatech}!ut-sally!riddle riddle@ut-sally.UUCP --- riddle@ut-sally.ARPA, riddle%zotz@ut-sally, riddle%im4u@ut-sally