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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

The Congo's Sapeurs turn on the style - in pictures

FTA: La Sape: A Sapeur, a member of La Sape movement, in Kinshasa
Members of the Sapeur movement, born in the 1960s in Congo, aim to dress flamboyantly Photograph: Junior D. Kannah/AFP/Getty Images
FTA: La Sape: Sapeurs, including one wearing a shirt with 4m long sleeves take part in a
A sapeur wearing a shirt with 4-metre-long sleeves take part in a tribute to the founder of the movement in Kinshasa.
Photograph: Junior D Kannah/AFP/Getty Images
FTA: La Sape: Sapeurs pose
Sapeurs pose in their eccentric, dandyish costumes.
Photograph: Junior D. Kannah/AFP/Getty Images
FTA: La Sape: Sapeurs, members of La Sape movement, in Kinshasa
Sapeurs show off in Kinshasa.
Photograph: Junior D. Kannah/AFP/Getty Images
FTA: La Sape: Mzee Kindingu poses for a photographer in Kinshasa
Mzee Kindingu poses for a photographer in Kinshasa. Photograph: Junior D. Kannah/AFP/Getty Images
FTA: La Sape: A Sapeur, a member of La Sape movement, in Kinshasa
The style's roots lie in the salons of Paris.
Photograph: Junior D. Kannah/AFP/Getty Images
FTA: La Sape: Mwetu (L) and Mozar, two Sapeurs, pose as arrive at the Gombe cemetery in K
Mwetu (left) and Mozar pose as they arrive at the Gombe cemetery in Kinshasa to pay homage to their leader.
Photograph: Junior D. Kannah/AFP/Getty Images
FTA: La Sape: Sapeurs, members of La Sape movement,
Designer names and eccentric choices are in evidence at the gathering.
Photograph: Junior D. Kannah/AFP/Getty Images
FTA: La Sape: A Sapeur, a member of La Sape movement, in Kinshasa
A Sapeur poses with a parasol at the Gombe cemetery in Kinshasa.
Photograph: Junior D Kannah/AFP/Getty Images
FTA: La Sape: Sapeurs, members of La Sape movement
A sapeur displays his checked suit while others go for kilts.
Photograph: Junior D. Kannah/AFP/Getty Images
FTA: La Sape: Stervos Niarcos Ngashie died in 1995, and was known as the leader of the La
Sapeurs gather at the grave of Stervos Niarcos Ngashie, who died in 1995: he was the founder of the Kitendi religion, which means clothing in the local Lingala language.
Photograph: Junior D. Kannah/AFP/Getty Images
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