Beauty in the Everyday: Abuja, Nigeria

Beauty in the Everyday: Abuja, Nigeria



You
have no doubt heard of
Lagos
, the former Nigerian capital and a booming megacity that
audaciously demands attention with its vibrant existence and
infamous traffic jams. But what do you know of the newer capital,
Abuja? Comparatively, it is to Lagos what Orlando is to Miami; a
sleepier state largely dominated by wealthy politicians, retired
government officials and their foreign business associates. And
yet, it is this slower way of life that makes Abuja so alluring,
fulfilling its original design plan. Instead of a city that never
sleeps, you’ll find a place where mid-afternoon naps are
encouraged, watching the sunset on your veranda is an acceptable
weekend activity and the hypnotic booms of the National Mosque’s
final call to prayer act as a comforting reminder to unwind and
slow down.

Above all, it is the stories told at the town’s local watering
holes – shared over a colourful array of fruits at Wuse Market or
during painters’ workshops at the Arts and Crafts Village – that
make Abuja appealing. Strategically placed in the centre of
Nigeria, Abuja acts as a crossroads through which various tribes
and religious groups cyclically travel in and out, creating a
regular stream of new faces in familiar areas. With fewer
activities to distract, people are forced to strike up
conversations with one another, sharing tales of their original
homes and hopes for a future life. It is similar to island
mentality, yet trapped in the middle of a land with no coast in
sight. It is these routine rituals that we wanted to visually
capture while visiting Abuja last year, an international metropolis
unique in its ability to celebrate beauty in the mundane and every
day.

@reminhoo | www.remilaudat.com | @bdbloggr | www.bdblggr.com

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