shakara

Shakara is a term used in Nigeria and other West African contexts to denote swagger, style, or showiness. Derived from Yoruba language and culture, the word conveys a display of confidence, fashion, or performance and is used in music, dance, and everyday speech to describe flamboyant attitude or presentation.

In music, Shakara is best known as a composition by Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, performed with his band Africa 70. The track, released in the early 1970s on the Shakara album, is a hallmark of Afrobeat, featuring extended instrumental grooves, intricate horn work, and rhythmic percussion. Its lyrics combine social commentary with themes of political critique and cultural pride, contributing to Fela Kuti’s international profile and the broader development of Afrobeat.

Beyond its musical origin, the term has permeated Nigerian popular culture as a descriptor for flamboyant style and confidence. Shakara is used in slang to praise someone’s dress, dance, or overall attitude and has influenced how performance and showmanship are discussed in media and everyday conversation.

See also Afrobeat, Fela Kuti, Yoruba language.