Meet la Société des Ambienceurs et des Personnes Élégantes (the Society for the Advancement of People of Elegance), abbreviated as La Sape—an apt abbreviation that also happens to mean clothes, or dress, in French. The members of this association are referred to as les sapeurs.
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).
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.
What do sapeurs do?
This collective of Congolese men are the sapeurs, members of the Society of Tastemakers and Elegant People (Societe des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Elegantes) who regard themselves as “persons who create ambience—atmosphere makers (Downey 2011:3).
Where do sapeurs get their clothes?
Most of these luxury brands are original but many sapeurs claim that the majority of their wardrobes are simply a collection of brand lookalikes purchased from local thrift stores known as ‘sola’, a Lingala word that means “second hand”.
Where is La Sape?
La Sape, an abbreviation based on the phrase Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes (French; literally “Society of Ambiance-Makers and Elegant People”) and hinting to the French slang word sape which means “clothes” or sapé, which means “dressed up”, is a subculture centered on the cities of Kinshasa and …
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.
Why do Congolese sapeurs acquire fashionable clothes?
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. Even then, “les Sapeurs” rebelled by wearing aggressively non-conformist clothes.
Where are the claimed capitals of La Sape?
La Sape has developed in the two Congos, namely the countries which now are identified as the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo and, more precisely, in the two capitals: Brazzaville and Kinshasa, two cities divided by the Congo river, which not only names the two States, but it was also used as a …
What do men wear in Congo?
The men traditionally wear a “dashiki-style long shirt” or button down shirt and long pants. During the Mobutu Dictatorship suits and ties were banned, but now even the wealthy upperclassmen have adapted to the western wear. What the people of Congo wear is mainly based on the weather.
What is the traditional food of Congo?
Specialities. Moambe: DRC’s national dish consisting of chicken or fish with cassava leaves, hot pepper sauce, bananas, rice, peanuts, fish, chicken, and palm nuts. Chikwanga: Cassava cooked and stored in banana leaves. Fufu: A sticky, dough-like staple made from cassava flour.
What is a sapeur style?
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.
What does Sapeurs mean in French?
Sapeurs: the Meaning Behind the Name The Sapeurs (or La Sape) take their name from the acronym for their group: SAPE, meaning “Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes.” This translates to “the Society of Tastemakers and Elegant People.”
What is the Sapeur way of life?
Here, we explore what makes the Sapeur way of life both fascinating and essential to the fabric of these cities and their people. The Sapeurs (or La Sape) take their name from the acronym for their group: SAPE, meaning “Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes.”
What is La Sape?
The modern members of La Sape come from a much more artistic and serene place, although they still serve as an expression against a way of life; this time it is against poverty in the depressed and war-torn country of the Congo.
