What Is A Congolese Sapeur?
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.
Where and when was the Sape created?
La Sape, short for “Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes” (Society of Ambiance-Makers and Elegant People) began as a “transaction” between the Belgium-French colonialists at the beginning of the 20th century where Congolese slaves worked for second-hand suits.
What is a Sapeur Africa?
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.” The term “Ambianceur” is a newer expression coined in francophone Africa, meaning “persons who create …
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”.
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 Les sapeurs?
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.
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 do sapeurs do?
Today sapeurism is not just for men but is starting to expand to include women and children. 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.
Est-ce que les sapeurs ont toujours fait partie du Mouvement congolais?
Aussi loin que nous pouvons remonter dans notre mémoire, les sapeurs ont toujours fait partie de l’environnement des congolais. Particulièrement dans les quartiers sud de Brazzaville, où nous habitions, lieu de prédilection de ce mouvement.
Quelle est la philosophie de la sape?
La philosophie de la sape s’accompagne de « dix commandements » fondamentaux, qui régissent le comportement des sapelogues et résument leurs valeurs : Premier commandement : tu saperas sur terre avec les humains et au ciel avec ton Dieu créateur.
Pourquoi les sapeurs sont reconnaissables?
Les sapeurs sont reconnaissables à leur mode vestimentaire sophistiquée et haute en couleurs, ainsi qu’à leur comportement. Ils portent des vêtements et accessoires de grandes marques de luxe [réf. nécessaire], malgré la potentielle pauvreté du sapeur, afin de paraître élégant, le but étant d’être le plus visible et reconnu possible.
Quels sont les créateurs de sapeurs?
D’ailleurs, des créateurs à l’instar de Jean-Jacques Castellbajac ou Paul Smith ne cachent pas leur source d’inspiration en rendant hommage aux sapeurs dans leurs collections respectives. Le chanteur Stromae a également admis s’être inspiré de la SAPE pour sa collection capsule en 2014.