The Onikan House, Lagos Tour
I spent my weekend touring the city of Lagos Island and its rich history thanks to @lovinglagos @myhangoutbuddy. We toured the house of the late Joseph Akani Holloway, which in itself is a historical artifact.
The house which is referred to as Onikan house is located at military street in Lagos Island. It was completed in 1940 by Joseph Akani Holloway and the design was influenced by the Brazilian/Portuguese style. The house has been maintained ever since and still carries its antique fittings of which it was made.
The house has a culture room that depicts the culture of Lagos such as the Eyo festival and the deities: Adamu Orise, Alakete Pupa, Oniko, Olagede (didn’t know that’s where our hairstyle “shuku ologede” originated from. Whenever this group came out, people are advised not to make such hairstyles — was seen as mockery), and Alagere. It also has a picture wall of traditional and religious leaders of Lagos from inception such as king Kosoko and King Akinolu (current king), an up to date record of Eyo plays in Lagos, treaty between Great Britain and Lagos on the abolition of slave trade in Lagos, the Lagos treaty of cession where Docemu (how the British spelt his name lol) handed over the entire Lagos to the British in 1861, the hundred naira money that was used in the colonial period cos the British didn’t accept the cowries. .
Another room houses maps and items that relate to the Portuguese on discovering Lagos. Lagos was discovered by the Portuguese by accident who were on a journey to India to get spices. Their boat broke down on the shores of Lagos so they had to take a break and on seeing how beautiful Lagos was from the shores decided to explore and meet the people.
Oh did I mention the beautiful library in the house! British standard! Lol.
We also took a trip in the elite danfo and keke to another site that that has a pictorial wall display of the slave trade process that took place in Lagos and houses that were built by slaves who returned from slavery e.g the Brazilians.
If you live in Lagos I think it’s good you know about the land just to have a sense of awareness of your environment. Plus it’s history! I enjoyed the tour and I urge you to take out time to visit Onikan house. You’d love the history and you might not find such detailed information on the internet.
