Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the father of Afrobeats, married 27 women in one day in 1978. For those familiar with the life and music of the legendary Nigerian musician known by the moniker Abami Eda (strange creature), this shouldn’t be surprising.
After the devastating soldier attack on Fela’s commune (Kalakuta Republic) in 1977, many members of Fela’s band were left without a place to live. Fela made the unusual decision in order to maintain their unity. The twenty-seven female band members who were present wrote their names down when he handed them a piece of paper asking for the names of those who would like to marry him.
On February 20, 1978, Fela Kuti wed the 27 women at the Parisona Hotel in Anthony, Lagos, after obtaining their consent, and twelve Ifa priests gave their blessings. Some of the ladies’ parents allegedly objected to the union.