Jan 16, 2011: Sapeurs

xoxoxoBruce · 01-16-2011, 11:39 AM

UT found this article in the Guardian, about a book called, "Gentlemen of Bacongo".
The article calls them "sapeurs", but they look like pimps to me.

The strangest part of the story is their location, Bacongo is a small suburb of Brazzaville in Congo, Africa.
These "sapeurs" would certainly stand out in any city, but in Bacongo, "like a sore thumb", would certainly apply.

In the middle of that poverty, I can't help but wonder what these guys do for a living?
Other questions come to mind also;
Are they laughed at?
Are they envied?
Are they hated?
Are they targets?
A lot more questions than answers.

footfootfoot · 01-16-2011, 12:24 PM

I think their job is to dig a tunnel under the foundation of the castle then burn away the supporting framework of their tunnel so the castle wall collapses.

I didn't know they had castles in the Congo. Cool. How do they keep their clothes so clean?

Nirvana · 01-16-2011, 12:55 PM

http://www.sabotagetimes.com/fashion...being-elegant/

xoxoxoBruce · 01-16-2011, 01:04 PM

Good link, Nirvana.

Quote:

Eminent Sapeurs show greenhorn, Sapeurs, the ropes: how to behave socially, how to perfect their decorum and maintain their propriety, how to dress, how to talk, how to walk. Exalted by their community, Le Sapeurs are treated like out-and-out celebrities and wallow in the warmth of exaltation like the poseurs they indubitably are. Often paid to attend weddings, funerals and anniversaries their role is to confer events with a certain je n-est sais quoi that, inherited from an infinitely more courteous age, is entirely deficient in this the 21st Century

Cloud · 01-16-2011, 02:15 PM

frog bois?

Sundae · 01-16-2011, 02:35 PM

I know of these people from a BBC documentary about Papa Wemba and his influence on the fashion and music scene in Zaire (The Importance of Being Elegant).
Well worth watching if you have access to it.

limey · 01-17-2011, 03:21 AM

Elegantly dressed people paid to attend an event in order to be decorative ... hmmmmmmmm ... ain't that usually a job for the girls?

TheMercenary · 01-17-2011, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by limey

Elegantly dressed people paid to attend an event in order to be decorative ... hmmmmmmmm ... ain't that usually a job for the girls?

aka wife.

BigV · 01-17-2011, 10:33 AM

must....not ask... how much for wife.......aaarrrrghhh

: snicker :

jimhelm · 01-17-2011, 04:06 PM

like Geisha

I wonder if they play musical instruments or recite poetry or anything

monster · 01-17-2011, 06:27 PM

Like Roman times

hampor · 01-17-2011, 11:09 PM

Like Beau Brummel

Gravdigr · 01-22-2011, 11:01 AM

WARNING: THE NEXT POST CONTAINS GORE. CARRY ON.

Gravdigr · 01-22-2011, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

...I can't help but wonder what these guys do for a living?

Apparently at least one of them is a butcher...we hope.

Or a rodeo star.

Apologies for the gore.

GunMaster357 · 01-22-2011, 01:03 PM

For your information, Congo was a place where people used to speak French and probably still do.

In French slang, the word "sape" designates clothes to be worn, at first formal clothes and then by extension all kind of clothes.

01-16-2011, 11:39 AM	#1
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Jan 16, 2011: Sapeurs UT found this article in the Guardian, about a book called, "Gentlemen of Bacongo". The article calls them "sapeurs", but they look like pimps to me. The strangest part of the story is their location, Bacongo is a small suburb of Brazzaville in Congo, Africa. These "sapeurs" would certainly stand out in any city, but in Bacongo, "like a sore thumb", would certainly apply. In the middle of that poverty, I can't help but wonder what these guys do for a living? Other questions come to mind also; Are they laughed at? Are they envied? Are they hated? Are they targets? A lot more questions than answers. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

01-16-2011, 12:24 PM	#2
footfootfoot To shreds, you say? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet! Posts: 18,449	I think their job is to dig a tunnel under the foundation of the castle then burn away the supporting framework of their tunnel so the castle wall collapses. I didn't know they had castles in the Congo. Cool. How do they keep their clothes so clean? __________________ The internet is a hateful stew of vomit you can never take completely seriously. - Her Fobs

01-16-2011, 12:55 PM	#3
Nirvana Back in 10 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 3,684	http://www.sabotagetimes.com/fashion...being-elegant/ __________________ Speaking simply... do not confuse this with having a simple mind.

01-16-2011, 02:15 PM	#5
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	frog bois? __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

01-16-2011, 02:35 PM	#6
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	I know of these people from a BBC documentary about Papa Wemba and his influence on the fashion and music scene in Zaire (The Importance of Being Elegant). Well worth watching if you have access to it. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

01-17-2011, 03:21 AM	#7
limey Encroaching on your decrees Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: An island within the south-west coast of Scotland Posts: 7,016	Elegantly dressed people paid to attend an event in order to be decorative ... hmmmmmmmm ... ain't that usually a job for the girls? __________________ Living it up on the edge ... of civilisation, within the southwest coast of

01-17-2011, 10:33 AM	#9
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	must....not ask... how much for wife.......aaarrrrghhh : snicker : __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

01-17-2011, 04:06 PM	#10
jimhelm a beautiful fool Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: 39.939705 Posts: 4,504	like Geisha I wonder if they play musical instruments or recite poetry or anything __________________ There's a Shadow just behind me. Shrouding every step I take. Making every promise empty, pointing every finger at me. _tool

01-17-2011, 06:27 PM	#11
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Like Roman times __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

01-17-2011, 11:09 PM	#12
hampor Colloquialist Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: SiliValley Posts: 75	Like Beau Brummel

01-22-2011, 11:01 AM	#13
Gravdigr The Un-Tuckian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Central...KY that is Posts: 39,517	WARNING: THE NEXT POST CONTAINS GORE. CARRY ON. __________________ These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, EPA, FBI, DEA, CDC, or FDIC. These statements are not intended to diagnose, cause, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you feel you have been harmed/offended by, or, disagree with any of the above statements or images, please feel free to fuck right off.

01-22-2011, 01:03 PM	#15
GunMaster357 Professor Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Brest (FRANCE) Posts: 1,837	For your information, Congo was a place where people used to speak French and probably still do. In French slang, the word "sape" designates clothes to be worn, at first formal clothes and then by extension all kind of clothes. __________________ "War is God's way of teaching Americans geography." - Ambrose Bierce

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