Artists, performers and intellectuals from 55 countries descended on Lagos in 1977, for an event some regard as the peak of pan-Africanistexpression.
Known as the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture, or Festac ’77 for short, the mood of that time has been captured in a new book by photographer Marilyn Nance
She has described Festac ’77 as a site of “mutual fascination” that was “not only a significant moment in history, but in art history”.
Stevie Wonder, Miriam Makeba and Fela Kuti were some of the 15,000 people in attendance, as these photos show:
people in attendance, as these photos show:
Marilyn Nance / Artists Rights Society (ARS)Copyright: Marilyn Nance / Artists Rights Society (ARS)
Miriam Makeba performing in Tafawa Balewa SquareImage caption: Miriam Makeba performing in Tafawa Balewa Square
Marilyn Nance / Artists Rights Society (ARS)Copyright: Marilyn Nance / Artists Rights Society (ARS)
Stevie Wonder performing on drumsImage caption: Stevie Wonder performing on drums
Marilyn Nance / Artists Rights Society (ARS)Copyright: Marilyn Nance / Artists Rights Society (ARS)
The National Theatre in LagosImage caption: The National Theatre in Lagos
Marilyn Nance / Artists Rights Society (ARS)Copyright: Marilyn Nance / Artists Rights Society (ARS)
Fela Kuti at the Afrika Shrine in LagosImage caption: Fela Kuti at the Afrika Shrine in Lagos
Marilyn Nance / Artists Rights Society (ARS)Copyright: Marilyn Nance / Artists Rights Society (ARS)
A Nigerian family queues to enter the National Stadium for the Festac ’77 opening ceremonyImage caption: A Nigerian family queues to enter the National Stadium for the Festac ’77 opening ceremony
Marilyn Nance / Artists Rights Society (ARS)Copyright: Marilyn Nance / Artists Rights Society (ARS)
David Stephens, Oghenero Akpomuje, Frank Smith and Valerie Maynard at a reception at the US Ambassador’s residenceImage caption: David Stephens, Oghenero Akpomuje, Frank Smith and Valerie Maynard at a reception at the US Ambassador’s residence
