In Congo “elegance” is very important. Perhaps in no other country is a sense of style so crucially identified with its own cultural history. A significant part of this heritage is the “Sape” and the “Sapeurs” (Society for the Advancement of People of Elegance) from the French (La Societé des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes )".
The “Sape” began when Congo was a French colony. Many Congolese people were fascinated with French elegance and decided to imitate the French look, a style which was further developed during the transition to independence. In the seventies and the eighties, many Congolese immigrants went to France and coming back to Brazzaville brought “the cult of elegance” . The “Sape” is an art and the real gentleman have to know the concept of gentleness and good manners related to the inherent moral code of the individual as a way of being.
Arca, Lalhande, KVV Mouzieto, Lamame and Hassan Salvador are just some of the Sapeurs met in Brazzaville. They taught me to know the difference between a real Sapeur and a simple elegant man. Having the respect of their community, the Sapeurs are admired by the local people, like real celebrities. They are all different from age, profession, personality, and popularity as well as in their look and taste in the dressing style, but they all belong to the same cultural identity as the “Sape” is at the same time universal and unique.
Daniele Tamagni is an Italian photographer. His series has been collected and published in a book "Gentlemen of Bacongo" put out by London label Trolley.
Photo-Eye
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