Editing Lagos (section)

== Culture ==
Lagos is a cultural centre of Nigeria. As a [[Port|port city]] and the starting point of [[British Empire|British colonisation]], the Western influence is stronger here than in probably any other Nigerian city. All Nigerian ethnic groups can be found in the [[melting pot]] of this [[metropolis]], with the [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] predominating. The [[Music of Nigeria|music]] and [[Cinema of Nigeria|film]] industries in the city are dynamic centres of the country with international acclaim.

=== Monumental buildings ===
[[File:National arts theatre (14981772010).jpg|thumb|[[National Arts Theatre]], Iganmu, Lagos]]
[[File:The cathedral (16878409017).jpg|thumb|The [[Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos|Cathedral Church of Christ]] at the central Marina on Lagos Island|left]]
A very striking building in Lagos is the National Arts Theatre with its oval base. The renovation of the National Arts Theatre was completed in March 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moses-Ashike |first=Hope |date=14 November 2022 |title=First phase of National Theatre rehabilitation project completed |url=https://businessday.ng/news/article/first-phase-of-national-theatre-rehabilitation-project-completed/ |access-date=27 June 2023 |website=Businessday NG |language=en-US}}</ref> With the new "blue line" of the [[Lagos Rail Mass Transit|Lagos light rail]], the National Theatre is recently easily accessible – the station "National theatre" is at a stone's throw distance from the theatre building.

Another frequently photographed structure in Lagos is the [[Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge]] – or more simply: Lekki bridge.

The [[Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos|Cathedral Church of Christ]] is at the centre of the oldest part of Lagos. The Anglican church was built between 1867 and 1869, shortly after the establishment of British colonial rule.

The [[Synagogue Church of All Nations]] was built in 2004.

=== Art ===
[[File:Outside Nike Art Gallery (4202980259).jpg|thumb|The Nike Art Gallery]]
The ''[[Nike Art Gallery]]'' is an [[art gallery]] in Lagos owned by [[Nike Davies-Okundaye]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 October 2014 |title=Lagos' Best Kept Secret |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/celebrities/nike-art-gallery-lagos-best-kept-secret/4etmpel |access-date=27 June 2023 |website=Pulse Nigeria |language=en}}</ref> The gallery is probably the largest of its kind in West Africa. It is housed in a five-storey building and has a collection of about 8,000 different works of art by various Nigerian artists such as Chief Josephine Oboh Macleod.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 May 2021 |title=Chief Josephine Oboh-Macleod: Art creator, connoisseur, politician, activist |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/05/chief-josephine-oboh-macleod-art-creator-connoisseur-politician-activist/ |access-date=27 June 2023 |publisher=Vanguard newspapers}}</ref>

[https://www.reddoorgallery.co/ ''Red Door Gallery''] specializes in African contemporary art.

The ''Ovuomaroro Studio and Gallery'' is one of the oldest art galleries in Lagos.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ovuomaroro Studio and Gallery |url=https://www.businesslist.com.ng/company/100229/ovuomaroro-studio-and-gallery |access-date=1 July 2023 |website=BusinessList.com.ng |date=20 May 2011 |language=en}}</ref>

The ''Alexis Galleries'', owned by Patty Chidiac-Mastrogiannis, is located on Victoria Island.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About us – Alexis Galleries |url=https://alexisgalleries.com/about-us/ |access-date=1 July 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> Since its foundation in 2011, Alexis Galleries have been engaged in the presentation and dissemination of Nigerian contemporary styles including; painting, drawing, mixed media, and sculpture. It aims to strengthen and support the Nigerian Art Circle.

In 2002, Lagos was one of the African platform cities for the art exhibition ''[[Documenta11|Documenta 11]]''.

=== Museum ===
[[File:Onikan's Archives & Galleries 3.jpg|thumb|Interactive exhibition of Yoruba art at the Randle centre]]
The [[Nigerian National Museum|''National Museum'']] in Onikan on Lagos Island houses archaeological and ethnographic collections as well as traditional art. There is an opportunity to purchase Nigerian arts and crafts at the adjoining craft centre. Haggling is allowed at the island's Jankara market. Spices, printed cotton and hand-woven fabrics as well as leather articles are offered here.

The [https://lucas.leeds.ac.uk/research/projects/the-john-k-randle-yoruba-heritage-centre/ ''John K. Randle Centre''] houses an exhibition on Yoruba culture inaugurated in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Obinna |first=Emelike |date=29 January 2023 |title=John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture & History: A global spotlight on Lagos |url=https://businessday.ng/arts-and-life/article/john-randle-centre-for-yoruba-culture-history-a-global-spotlight-on-lagos/ |access-date=27 June 2023 |website=Businessday NG |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 April 2023 |title=A Bold New Complex Celebrates Yoruba Culture |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/a-bold-new-complex-celebrates-yoruba-culture |access-date=27 June 2023 |website=Architectural Digest |language=en-US}}</ref> The curators actively work with artists, writers, craftspeople, historians and storytellers to share the rich Yoruba culture. The John K. Randle Centre is a new, partly interactive kind of museum. It adapts modern Western museum practices to present new forms of storytelling inspired by Yoruba traditions.<ref>{{Citation |title=Lagos Reconstructs {{as written|it's [sic]}} cultural mystery Center. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOL5FGpfGA4 |access-date=27 June 2023 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630055423/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOL5FGpfGA4 |archive-date=30 June 2023}}</ref> It celebrates tangible and intangible culture by preserving, enhancing and promoting the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people. The centre actively collects a wide range of items that distinguish it from a traditional museum. The John K. Randle Centre plays a leading role in the repatriation of Yoruba artifacts from European institutions.

The ''[[Kalakuta Republic]]'' is a museum honouring late musician [[Fela Kuti]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kalakuta Museum |url=https://felakuti.com/legacy/kalakuta-museum |access-date=1 July 2023 |website=Fela Kuti |language=en}}</ref>

Furthermore, the ''[https://mindscapesmuseums.org/ Mindscape Children Museum]'' deserves mentioning. Since 2015 it has been notable as Nigeria's premiere Children's museum. It aims at social interaction and improves their natural curiosity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mindscapes Children's Museum, Lagos – Photos & Reviews |url=https://hotels.ng/places/museum/816-mindscapes-childrens-museum |access-date=1 July 2023 |website=Hotels.ng Places}}</ref>

=== Performance ===
The [[Muson Centre]] (Musical Society of Nigeria) is a theatre/performance hall. MUSON regularly organizes concerts of both Nigerian and Western genres. Its choir has performed since 1995, and the symphony orchestra, Nigeria's only professional symphony orchestra at the time, since 2005. Both perform regularly at the annual MUSON Festival and during the Society's concert season.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Duro |first=Oni |title=Stage Lighting Design: The Nigerian Perspective |publisher=Society of Nigerian Theatre Artistes, Indiana University |year=2010 |isbn=978-978-8065-01-2 |location=Indiana, USA |language=en}}</ref>

=== Festivals ===
[[File:Lagos Black Heritage Festival Parade.JPG|thumb|The Lagos Black Heritage Festival Parade]]
In Lagos, festivals take place in different months. These are the ''Lagos Carnival'' in January,<ref>{{Cite web |last=AfricaNews |date=2 January 2023 |title=Nigerians kick off the year with the Fanti Carnival celebrations in Lagos |url=https://www.africanews.com/2023/01/02/nigerians-kick-off-the-year-with-the-fanti-carnival-celebrations-in-lagos/ |access-date=21 August 2023 |website=Africanews |language=en}}</ref> the ''Eko International Film Festival''<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 April 2023 |title=EKOIFF – An international film festival site |url=https://www.ekoiff.org/ |access-date=21 August 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> in March, the ''Lagos Black Heritage Carnival'' in April,<ref>{{Citation |title=Eko Brass Band at the Freedom Park Lagos at 2015 Lagos Black Heritage Festival opening parade | date=17 October 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy2QbfMHZS4 |access-date=21 August 2023 |language=en}}</ref> the ''Lagos Photo Festival''<ref>{{Cite web |title=LagosPhoto {{!}} International art festival of photography in Nigeria. |url=https://www.lagosphotofestival.com/ |access-date=21 August 2023 |website=lagosphotofestival.com}}</ref> in November, the ''Book & Art Festival''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lagos Book & Art Festival {{!}} LABAF {{!}} .....Dubbed Africa's Largest Culture Picnic. |url=https://www.lagosbookartfestival.org/ |access-date=21 August 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> in November and the ''Lagos Food Festival''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Festival |url=https://www.eatdrinklagos.com/festival |access-date=21 August 2023 |website=Eat.Drink.Lagos |language=en-US}}</ref> in December. The ''Lagos Jazz Festival'' features music of all genres with a focus on jazz.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lagos International Jazz Festival Returns – THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/03/22/lagos-international-jazz-festival-returns |access-date=21 August 2023 |website=thisdaylive.com}}</ref> ''The Experience'' is a decibel-rich gospel concert hosted by the [[Evangelicalism|evangelical]] House of the Rock Church in packed [[#Parks and gardens|Talewa Balewa Square]] on the first Friday in December.<ref>{{Citation |title=The Experience 2022 | date=13 November 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqeEmsB60pk |access-date=21 August 2023 |language=en}}</ref> [[Hearing protection device|Ear protection]] and a certain tolerance for overly dedicated worshippers are recommended.

The ''Eyo Carnival'' is an irregular festival that originated in Iperu Remo, Ogun State.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hotels.ng |title=Eyo Festival: 10 Things You Should Know |url=https://hotels.ng/guides/activities/eyo-festival/ |access-date=21 August 2023 |website=Hotels.ng Guides |language=en}}</ref>

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Nigerian cuisine|African cuisine}}

[[File:Arewa Traditional Kitchen.jpg|thumb|Arewa Traditional Kitchen]]
Some of the famous dishes in Lagos include Indigenous delicacies such as eba and egusi; [[Amala (food)|amala]] and [[Ewedu soup|ewedu]]; [[Jollof rice|jollof]] (the go-to party dish); [[ofada rice]]; plantains (locally called dodo); beans; [[suya]] (spicy [[shish kebab]] or spiced roasted beef), which is consumed in local clubs and bars with a bottle of cold beer; and [[eba]], made from [[cassava]] and eaten with soups prepared with vegetables and mixture of spices and herbs. Other dishes range from local ones like ''Iyan'' (pounded yam) made from yam flour, amala; [[Asaro (food)|asaro]], which is usually eaten with various kinds of vegetables; and [[Egusi]] (melon soup) to European, Middle-Eastern, and Asian cuisine.<ref name="post" /><ref>{{cite book |last=Whiteman |first=Kaye |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fcS_BAAAQBAJ&q=Lagos+food+and+cuisine+in+Nigeria&pg=PT119 |title=Lagos: A Cultural and Literary History Volume 5 of Landscapes of the Imagination |publisher=Andrews UK Limited |year=2013 |isbn=978-1-908493-89-7}}</ref>

=== Music ===
Lagos is famous throughout Africa for its music scene. Lagos has a vibrant nightlife<ref name="nightlife" /><ref name="post">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lxfu5WGlJ7kC|page = 16|title=Post Report|publisher =United States Department of State|year=1992|author=The University of Michigan}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper = The Guardian|title = A Peep into The Glamour, Glitz of Lagos Nightlife|first = Omiko|last = Awa|date = 21 June 2015|access-date = 26 March 2016|url = http://guardian.ng/sunday-magazine/newsfeature/a-peep-into-the-glamour-glitz-of-lagos-nightlife/|archive-date = 9 April 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160409215101/http://guardian.ng/sunday-magazine/newsfeature/a-peep-into-the-glamour-glitz-of-lagos-nightlife/|url-status = live}}</ref> and has given birth to a variety of styles such as [[Sakara music]], [[Nigerian hip hop]], [[highlife]], [[jùjú music|juju]], [[fuji music|fuji]] and [[Afrobeats]].<ref name="MUSIC">{{cite web |url=http://www.arterialnetwork.org/uploads/2011/12/Ayodeles_Presentation.pdf |title=The contribution of the Creative Economy to African Cities: ''A Case Study of Lagos Creative Sector & Its Potential'' |first=Ayodele |last=Ganiu |year=2011 |access-date=4 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509091659/http://www.arterialnetwork.org/uploads/2011/12/Ayodeles_Presentation.pdf |archive-date=9 May 2013 }}</ref>

[[James Brown]] performed in Lagos in 1970.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xzcDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA57|page=57|date=1 October 1970|volume=38|number=26|issn=0021-5996|magazine=Jet|title=James Brown tours Africa for U.S. State Department Company}}</ref> With his band ''[[Paul McCartney and Wings|Wings]]'', [[Paul McCartney]] recorded his fifth post-[[Beatles]] album, ''[[Band on the Run]]'', in an [[EMI]] studio in Lagos in August and September 1973.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jpgr.co.uk/pas10007.html|title=Band on the Run: ''Paul McCartney and Wings''|first=Mark|last=Lewisohn|year=2001|access-date=8 April 2012|archive-date=28 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080328131901/http://www.jpgr.co.uk/pas10007.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Other foreign musicians who have also performed in the city include [[Sean Paul]], [[Snoop Dogg]],<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=omL5460steUC&pg=PA51|title=Nigeria|first1=Lizzie | last1=Williams|first2=Mark | last2=Shenley|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides|year=2012|isbn=978-1-841-6239-79|page=51}}</ref> [[50 Cent]], [[Akon]], [[Jarule]], [[Ashanti (singer)|Ashanti]], [[Usher (singer)|Usher]], [[Shaggy (musician)|Shaggy]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200201020296.html|title=Nigeria: The Shaggy Thriller in Lagos|website=All Africa|date=2 January 2002|access-date=25 April 2017|archive-date=31 January 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020131044739/http://allafrica.com/stories/200201020296.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[R Kelly]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/11/r-kelly-storms-nigeria/|title=R Kelly storms Nigeria|access-date=25 April 2017|date=11 November 2010|publisher=The Vanguard|archive-date=26 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426061959/http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/11/r-kelly-storms-nigeria/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Cardi B]], [[Migos]] especially during the [[Star Mega Jam]]; [[Shakira]], [[John Legend]], [[Ludacris]], [[Busta Rhymes]], [[Boyz II Men]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200706110591.html|title=Nigeria: Shakira, Legend, UB40 to Star at Thisday Festival|website=All Africa|access-date=25 April 2017|archive-date=27 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827072724/http://allafrica.com/stories/200706110591.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[T-Pain]], [[Brian McKnight]], [[JayZ]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/05/jay-z-coming-to-nigeria/|title=Jay-Z coming to Nigeria|publisher=The Vanguard|first=Opeoluwa|last=Ogunjimi|access-date=25 April 2017|archive-date=26 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426150927/http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/05/jay-z-coming-to-nigeria/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Mary J. Blige]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/mary-j-blige-rocked-lagos/|title=How Mary J. Blige rocked Lagos|publisher=The Vanguard|first=Anozie|last=Egole|date=5 October 2013|access-date=25 April 2017|archive-date=18 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140418191954/http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/mary-j-blige-rocked-lagos/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Beyoncé]], [[Brandy Norwood|Brandy]], [[Ciara]], [[Keri Hilson]] and [[Lauryn Hill]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thenet.ng/how-7-us-celebs-have-visited-nigeria-in-six-months/|title=How 7 US celebs have visited Nigeria in six months|date=15 June 2016|publisher=Nigerian Entertainment Today|access-date=25 April 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426060521/http://thenet.ng/2016/06/how-7-us-celebs-have-visited-nigeria-in-six-months/|archive-date=26 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200211010070.html|title=Nigeria: Usher Raymond is Star of the Mega Jam|website=All Africa|access-date=25 April 2017|archive-date=22 December 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021222195213/http://allafrica.com/stories/200211010070.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Film ===
[[File:Silverbird Galleria Cinemas.jpg|thumb|[[Silverbird Galleria]] cinema in Lagos]]
The Surulere district is the centre of the Nigerian film industry, commonly referred to as Nollywood. Lagos itself is the location and setting for many films. The city is featured in domestic and foreign feature film productions. Many films are shot in the Festac area of Lagos, which also hosted the World Festival of Black Arts.<ref name="NOLLYWOOD">{{cite web |title=Yoruba Travelling Theatre & Video Film |url=http://www.jpanafrican.com/docs/vol4no5/4.5Nollywood.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513083137/http://www.jpanafrican.com/docs/vol4no5/4.5Nollywood.pdf |archive-date=13 May 2012 |access-date=4 April 2012}}</ref> The 2016 film ''[[Captain America: Civil War]]'' contains a scene set in Lagos.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Du |first=Katherine |date=5 May 2016 |title='Captain America' Is Trending In Nigeria, But You Might Be Surprised Why |language=en |publisher=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/05/05/476889176/captain-america-is-trending-in-nigeria-but-you-might-be-surprised-why |url-status=live |access-date=26 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226220437/https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/05/05/476889176/captain-america-is-trending-in-nigeria-but-you-might-be-surprised-why |archive-date=26 December 2022}}</ref> The Spanish police series ''La unidad'' (2020–2023), the British drama ''The last tree'' (2019) and the US-Spanish drama ''The Way, Chapter 2'' with [[Martin Sheen]] (2023 still in development) also use Lagos as a filming location. The film ''[[93 Days]]'' with [[Danny Glover]] is a somewhat melodramatic but fact-based account of the [[Ebola in Nigeria|Ebola outbreak in Lagos in 2014]] and was filmed at original locations.

Since the success of the Nigerian thriller ''The Figurine'', Nigerian film has increasingly focused on high-quality productions that are also commercially successful. This, in turn, has led to ever-new records in box office takings in Nigeria (2009: "The Figurine", 2013: "Half of a Yellow Sun", 2016: "The Wedding Party").<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ademola |first=Bisi |date=20 June 2023 |title=Nollywood: Blockbusters To Streaming Success {{!}} African Folder |url=https://africanfolder.com/nollywood-streaming-success/ |access-date=28 June 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>
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