INTRO: 006_Web

KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - FEBRUARY 10: Papa Griffe (in blue suit), a senior and a leader of the Sapeurs walks with some of his men after paying his respect to Stervos Nyarcos, the founder of the .kitendi religion., which means clothing in local language Lingala. Nyarcos was known as the leader of the Sape movement, at Gombe cemetery on February 10, 2012 in Kinshasa, DRC. The word Sapeur comes from SAPE, a French acronym for SociÈtÈ des Ambianceurs et Persons …lÈgants. or .Society of Revellers and Elegant People. and it also means, .to dress with elegance and style{quote}. Griffe has been a sapeur most of his life, and owns a few business and a car. He was made a career of being a sapeur. Most of the young Sapeurs are unemployed, poor and live in harsh conditions in Kinshasa, a city of about 10 million people. For many of them being a Sapeur means they can escape their daily struggles and dress like fashionable Europeans. Many hustle to build up their expensive collections. Most Sapeurs could never afford to visit Paris, and usually relatives send or bring clothes back to Kinshasa. (Photo by Per-Anders Pettersson)

KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - FEBRUARY 10: Papa Griffe (in blue suit), a senior and a leader of the Sapeurs walks with some of his men after paying his respect to Stervos Nyarcos, the founder of the .kitendi religion., which means clothing in local language Lingala. Nyarcos was known as the leader of the Sape movement, at Gombe cemetery on February 10, 2012 in Kinshasa, DRC. The word Sapeur comes from SAPE, a French acronym for SociÈtÈ des Ambianceurs et Persons …lÈgants. or .Society of Revellers and Elegant People. and it also means, .to dress with elegance and style". Griffe has been a sapeur most of his life, and owns a few business and a car. He was made a career of being a sapeur. Most of the young Sapeurs are unemployed, poor and live in harsh conditions in Kinshasa, a city of about 10 million people. For many of them being a Sapeur means they can escape their daily struggles and dress like fashionable Europeans. Many hustle to build up their expensive collections. Most Sapeurs could never afford to visit Paris, and usually relatives send or bring clothes back to Kinshasa. (Photo by Per-Anders Pettersson)