SAPE: Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes Avec l’arrivée des Français au Congo au début du XX siècle, naquit le mythe de l’élégance parisienne parmi les jeunes qui travaillaient pour les colons. Ils étaient nombreux à considérer l’homme blanc comme supérieur pour sa sophistication et son élégance. En 1922, G.A. Matsoua fut le premier Congolais à revenir de Paris habillé comme un vrai Monsieur Français, provoquant une grande admiration auprès de ses compatriotes. Il devint ainsi le premier grand sapeur. Respectés et admirés par leur communauté, les sapeurs d’aujourd’hui se considèrent comme des artistes. Avec leurs manières raffinées et leur style vestimentaire impeccable, ils apportent une touche de glamour dans leur humble entourage. Chacun d’eux possède son propre répertoire de gestes qui le distingue des autres. Ils poursuivent un grand rêve : voyager à Paris et revenir à Brazzaville en tant qu’ambassadeurs de l’élégance. At the beginning of the XXth century when the French arrived in Congo, the myth of the Parisian elegance was born among the youth of the Bakongo ethnic group, who were working for the colonizers. At that time, the white man was considered superior, someone showing better manners and elegance. In 1922, Grenard André Matsoua was the first Congolese ever to come back from Paris dressed as a genuine French. His arrival caused indescribable commotion and admiration among his fellow countrymen; he became known as the first Grand Sapeur. Having the respect and admiration of his community, today’s Sapeurs consider themselves artists. They add a touch of glamour to their humble environment through their refined manners and impeccable dressing styles. Each of them is unique showing a particular repertoire of gestures. They all share the same dream: To go to Paris and return to Brazzaville as an aristocrat of supreme elegance.
Willy Covary, one of the most admired sapeurs of the Bacongo neighborhood, poses in front of his house, after taking a bath. He is about to get dressed to go out. On the right side, he is ready to show off in the city.
MEH0063438 © Héctor Mediavilla
The sapeur Bienvenu Mouzieto takes off his hat and checks himself in the mirror while his wife watches TV. Many Bacongo families do not have electricity at home to watch TV, Brazzaville, Congo.
MEH0063298x © Héctor Mediavilla
Severin Mouyengo,who has been a sapeur since the seventies, poses in the entrace of his family house in the Bacongo neighborhood. Sandals on the ground are from his family members. In Congo, as in other parts of Africa, people commonly, take the shoes off before entering home. On the right side, Severin sits with his family in the dinning room table under an old portrait of his father speaking on the phone.
MEH0063430x © Héctor Mediavilla
Bienvenu Mouzieto walks with his 6 year-old nephew in the Bacongo neighbourhood.
MEH0061494x © Héctor Mediavilla
One of the most famous sapeurs of the Bacongo neighborhood, Doyen Germain, poses in front of his house. On the left side, he is dressed in casual wear. The central image shows him having just got dressed up to show off in the neighbourhood. On the right, he poses with his family.
MEH0063439x © Héctor Mediavilla
Romario and his friend, show their Weston shoes and their silk socks at the funeral of a well known sapeur called Jean Patrice "Damas" Massamba at the Saint Pierre Claver Catholic church of the Bacongo neighborhood.
MEH0063300x © Héctor Mediavilla
Despite working as a policeman and having been critized by his superiors, Ferolle Nguaby loves being a sapeur. On the left side, he is dressed with his police uniform. On the center he is dressed with a Scotish Kilt as an homage to the Price Charles of Walles. On the right side he poses with his only sister in front of his family house, where he lives with his parents, his sister and some brothers. He is part of the Picadilly group, which is the most innovative of the country.
MEH0063432x © Héctor Mediavilla
Burial of a well known sapeur called Jean Patrice "Damas" Massamba at the "Ma Campagne" christian graveyard on the outskirts of Brazzaville. Many important sapeurs like Francos Uomos (who wears a yellow tie), attend the ceremony.
MEH0063301x © Héctor Mediavilla
The sapeur Delagrace, also known as the 'icon of beautiful colours', inside and outside of his rented room.
MEH0063435x © Héctor Mediavilla
Some close relatives to the fiancés clap during the Evangelist preacher's speech that animates the wedding ceremony. Some presents lay on the table.
MEH0063303x © Héctor Mediavilla
Aymard, a young boy related to the fiancés, poses in front of an old wall during a evangelist wedding celebration. On the right side, he poses with his cousins.
MEH0063440x © Héctor Mediavilla
A group of sapeurs wait during the funeral of a well known sapeur called Jean Patrice "Damas" Massamba, at the exit of the Saint Pierre Claver Catholic church of the Bacongo neighborhood.
MEH0063302x © Héctor Mediavilla
Basseka Kandza, a sapeur who was very active during his youth in the seventies, shows some of his old pictures ot that time. On the right side, he poses with his dog in the entrance of his house.
MEH0063433x © Héctor Mediavilla