#elnukawo

[elnukawo]

Quarry Chronicles 12…: The finale - In this I’m well pleased

“The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness.”

When I stumbled on this verse, it just gave a great context. It was certainly an eye opening journey, which gave me a different perspective and re-ignited the love of the process and the feeling of kapachao in my hands.

[elnukawo]

Quarry Chronicles 11…Growth

In my bid to come up with the finale image of the quarry chronicles, I had made some beautiful images of Mr. Minash as I felt my experience at the quarry would not be complete without an image that was iconic. I had taken all these before I got the one I was happy with…

Too many people want to know the end of the journey before they are willing to take the first step. And that’s where we have put the limit. “There is nothing new under the sun,” so they stay  back. They don’t pursue growth. They wait for the discoveries of life to come to them, and they are always disappointed. The real joy of the journey is that each step we take begins to unfold new discoveries. It is only after we’ve learned new things that we can look back and realize what we didn’t know—and how much more there is to learn. And our new knowledge and discoveries become the motivation for us to continue the journey. Before long, we begin to realize that the destination isn’t what we desire; rather, it is the growth we experience along the way. And we discover that there is no finish line. Where will your growth journey take you? I don’t know. I’ve gone farther and done much more than I ever dreamed of while growing up in this small corner of the world….Lagos. Back then I couldn’t have imagined where I am now. So take the road that’s open before you. Take a step. Make personal growth your daily habit. First, let the road take you where it leads. As you grow, begin to make choices at each juncture. Over time you will become more proactive, more directive, more intentional in where it leads you. But always remain open and teachable. Keep allowing yourself to be surprised every day. Grow into the person you have the potential to be. You’ll never regret it.  (Strongly adapted from John Maxwell’s Developing the Leader within you 2.0)

[elnukawo]

Fela and the Kalakuta Queens

Even when I was young, I’ve always liked Fela’s music. It was somewhat unique and I was fascinated by the album art/concept. What was different?....every song had some form of instrumental which was at least 3-5 minutes long and in some cases more. Now, irrespective of that instrumental intro, you could never tell what will be the actual tune for the song. I guess it was just a show-off before the show-off. Such witty satire....

After his death...Femi’s reign...though it was a totally different style from Fela, I tried to enjoy a couple of his tracks but one thing I just couldn’t get myself to do, was go catch a show at the ‘shrine’. I guess I was just too spiritual to share my sunday with someone who called his show house a shrine. (At this point, let me stop you there. Pls don’t waste your time trying to comment or tell me anything about all that...its my belief and I think I’m entitled to it...just enjoy reading and move along to other things you planned for the day. Don’t waste your time! Besides, that was a long time ago, please move on and don’t act like you know too much or try to appear spiritually neutral. If you are...I’m happy for you)

Ok so where was I?...yeah, so I never visited the shrine cause I just didn’t feel right going to church then later in the evening go to join cohorts at the shrine. Why did he have to put it on sunday? why did he call it shrine?...well, just questions I frankly don’t even care what the answers are...so (don’t bother telling me...) Even, after all the coercion from people close to me I just didn’t...not even the ones performed at the Muson. But one thing I always wanted to see was how those cohorts transform when he sings ‘se were’ (translated act crazy). Well, guess I wasn’t that curious...

So fast forward to 2017, when the wonderful producer Bolanle Austeen-Peters decided to create this masterpiece, reflecting on the Kalakuta Queens. It was so awesome, that I felt like I was really watching Fela himself. The performance was super! This was literally my first musical performance...well, at least the one I can remember.

Great show I say...