What are Congolese Sapeurs?
The Sapeurs of Brazzaville. In the Republic of the Congo, stylish individuals piece together vibrant and sophisticated outfits that function as a form of colonial resistance, social activism and peaceful protest.
Where are the Sapeurs?
The Sapeur culture is firmly rooted in both Brazzaville and Kinshasa. These capital cities are separated only by the Congo River, but the differences between each city’s Sapeur community make them feel worlds apart.
How many Sapeurs are there?
There are currently at least 6000 Sapeurs across the Democratic of Congo but most reside in the country’s capital, Kinshasa, where they act as ambassadors not just for the country but the continent. When they walk down the streets, the city comes to a stand still. They are the nation’s celebrities.
What is Sapeur culture?
They are called sapeurs or members of the Societe des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Elegantes (the Society of Tastemakers and Elegant People). And when they go out, they turn the streets of Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo, into a fashion runway. The sapeur style began as one of emulation.
Where are the Sapeurs from?
Some residents of the twin Congolese capitals of Brazzaville and Kinshasa have long been known for their love of stylish dressing – in particular members of the Society of Ambience-Makers and Elegant People (Sape).
What do you call someone from the Congo?
Congolese people may refer to: People from the following countries and regions: Congo Basin, the sedimentary basin of the Congo River. Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), the former French Congo. Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa), the former Belgian Congo.
What is a sapeur Africa?
Often referred to as “dandies” of the Congo, “sapeurs” and “sapeuses” are men, women and children whose sharp and stylish way of dressing has caught the world’s attention.
What do sapeurs do?
Modern sapeurs are respectable, working class men and women who spend their hard-earned money on purchasing the best eye-catching clothing. They live an ordinary life but one obsessed with fashion.
Where are the sapeurs from?
Why do Sapeurs dress up?
The acronym SAPE roughly translates from French as “The Society for the Advancement of Elegant People.” Sapeurs often dress up and meet in streets or bars for an informal contest. It’s an occasion to show off the designer labels and unique combination of styles. In the 1970s, Western suits were prohibited.
Why did La Sape start?
La Sape can be traced back to the early years of colonialism. The French had set out to civilize African people by providing them with European second hand clothes as a bargaining tool to gain the devotion of the superiors.
Who are the sapeurs of Congo?
Sapeurs represents the prosperity and peace in the region. Sapeurs are famous among the people as a sign of better things. Violence and war are attributes that do not balance the Sapeurs’ moral actions. Sapeurs’ ebullience has impacted deprived Congolese youths, leading them to a new cosmopolitanism from the Third World status.
Who are the Sapeurs?
The Sapeurs is a group of elegant Congolese people who follows and observes La Sape culture. With the phrase coming from the French language, La Sape is a subculture originating in the Africa continent.
What is La Sape culture in Congo?
While La Sape culture in the Congo originated because of the slave trade and the French colonisation, Congo’s musician Papa Wemba revived the culture in Kinshasa during the 1970s.
What is La Sape in Kinshasa?
Since they were also not very welcome, La Sape acted as refuge for them to cope with European life. Papa Wemba, a Congolese musician, is credited with reviving la sape in Kinshasa during the 1970s by emphasizing the importance of smartly dressed Congolese men.