Lagos Life in Motion
A classic Lagos moment! First, you've got a LASTMA officer, you know, those traffic guys, pulling over a Keke Marwa – those little tricycles everyone uses. The Keke driver was trying to sneak through a red light, typical! Then, right next to them, another LASTMA officer is on his phone, probably calling for backup to tow the Keke away – sneaky! And over there, a young guy is chatting with a mama-put, one of those street food vendors. It's a whole scene! And honestly, I'm not sure if he's scratching his… well, you know… or reaching for his wallet. You gotta love Lagos!
Role
Company
Year
Illustrator
Personal Project
2018
Alright, let's dive into this vibrant slice of Lagos life! Before we unpack this scene, you gotta get a feel for the local lingo, right? Think of it as your Lagos immersion course, crash style.
Keke-Marwa: Imagine a little, buzzing tricycle, like a motorized rickshaw. That's your Keke-Marwa, the workhorse of Lagos transport. Affordable, nimble, and always weaving through traffic.
Mama-put: Picture a street food stall, usually run by a woman, dishing out steaming plates of local delicacies. "Mama-put" is basically your go-to phrase: "Mama, put some rice on my plate!"
LASTMA: These are the traffic cops, the guardians of the Lagos roads. They're the ones trying to keep some semblance of order in the organized chaos that is Lagos traffic.
Now, let's break down the scene, character by character:
The Keke-Marwa Driver and the LASTMA Officer:
Our drama kicks off here. The Keke driver, probably thinking he could sneak through a red light, gets caught red-handed by a LASTMA officer. It's a classic Lagos standoff: rules versus reality. And let's be honest, in Lagos, sometimes reality wins... or tries to. His partner on the other side of the road is calling for backup. In Lagos, even a minor traffic infraction can escalate quickly.
Mama-Put and Her Customer:
Even the food vendor is distracted! She's supposed to be serving up plates of goodness, but the traffic commotion has grabbed her attention. And the young guy about to buy food is also looking at the drama.
The "Scratch Butts" Guys:
These guys are your everyday Lagosians, waiting in line for their Mama-put fix. But they're also keeping a close eye on the Keke-Marwa drama. And yes, you might be wondering about the "scratching." Let's just say it adds a touch of... authenticity.
The Lady and Boy in the Store:
They're the onlookers, the silent observers, peering out their window, taking in the spectacle. It's a reminder that in Lagos, everyone's a witness to the daily theater of life.
