Read below as Jessica
Lambert gets the lowdown on London’s capital’s ‘Little Lagos’.....
I must say Jessica, it was a witty write up....are you sure you aren’t
dating a naija guy? lol
Size:
93,000
Nigerian-born Londoners in 2011, says the Office for National Statistics.
Favourite
parts of London:
Mostly south —
Clapham, Peckham, Camberwell — but also Hackney, Swiss Cottage and Kilburn.
Age:
More than 200
years old — the earliest Nigerians to arrive in London came here as a result of
the slave trade. More recently a lot of Nigerians emigrated here in the 1960s.
Okay, but
that was still a while ago. Tell me something that’s happening right now:
The Nigerian
Carnival will be buzzing with fabulous costumes, music and food in Kennington
Park on October 20.
Sounds like
the Notting Hill Carnival:
Yes, but that
took place in the long forgotten summer. This one’s in just two weeks’ time.
What if I
can’t wait that long to dance to some Nigerian beats?
You could head
down to south London’s Club Zanzibar. But you’ve probably been dancing to a lot
of Nigerian music if you’ve been in any R&B clubs recently.
Oh yeah, like
what?
Oliver Twist,
the electro and Afro-Beats dance track from D’banj, was No 2 in the R&B charts this summer.
I love that
song!
You’re just
saying that because you want to sound young and hip, aren’t you?
 |
| Nigeria's R&B star D'banj |
No comment.
Let’s go back to the food. Where’s good?
805 on the Old
Kent Road is where Nigerians go if they want a taste of home (and can’t be
bothered with home cooking). But there are more than 300 Nigerian restaurants
to choose from in this city.
Let’s stick
with that numbered one for now. What should I order when I get there?
I’d try the
spiced cowfoot, the fried plantain and jollof rice. And make sure to save room
for the whole grilled croaker fish.
I’ll
certainly try. Oh, and I’ll be able to read the menu, right?
Yes, don’t worry
your little linguistically challenged head about it. But since you ask, there
are large number of Nigerian languages spoken in London, including Yoruba, Igbo
and Urhobo.
Are there an
equally diverse number of Nigerian churches?
It’s like you’re
psychic. I was just about to mention that if you feel like attending a Nigerian
service this Sunday you can choose from an extensive range of denominations:
Pentecostal, Celestial, Apostolic, Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and Baptist.
There are also a number of Nigerian Muslims practising here.
 |
| Michelle Obama wears Duro Olowu's outfits |
That’s a lot
to choose from. But what if I’m feeling more materially minded?
Go check out
Duro Olowu’s gorgeous spring collection 2013, below right. The London-based
Nigerian designer combines African prints with fabulous tailoring. Michelle
Obama has been a fan since 2008.
I’m sold.
That saves me worrying what to wear to the carnival.
See you there —
save me some croaker fish.
