- Title: UAE-SAPEURS Artists perform parody of Congolese dandies at UAE arts festival
- Date: 19th March 2015
- Summary: MUSICIANS PERFORMING SAPEURS
- Embargoed: 3rd April 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA1CQVL2RTM3EKMVPTRKH2ZQHEW
- Story Text: On the streets of Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a group of Congolese artists is performing a theatrical piece called "Fanfare Funerailles," or "Funeral Brass."
Dressed in colourful shirts and suits, they mimic the dandy chic of the "sapeurs," also known as the Society of Tastemakers and Elegant People.
"Sapeurs" -- a play on the French word for "well dressed," are famous for their flamboyant fashion sense. They have perfected the art of matching candy-colored suits, crocodile shoes and rakishly cocked hats in an homage to male vanity.
But for the performers of "Funeral Brass," sapeurs may have taken things a little too far. Their piece satirises the movement and some of the traditions and practices of the sapeur.
They got into the swing of things with a little help from a local Arab band.
"This performance is called the Funeral Brass. It's a performance that mixes dance, music and theatre. Why is it Funeral Brass? We are trying to reproduce a reality that has almost become a ritual back home in the DR Congo. When there is grief at the passing away ceremony when someone has died, people don't come along to empathise with the family, they just come along to show their smart clothes their designer labels," said Shoggy Angoy, a rapper who is part of the performing troop.
The sapeur fashion trend started with Congolese migrants returning from France and displaying their wealth through luxury clothing. Many new generation sapeurs still pay homage to those they regard as their forefathers and leaders.
"When it comes to "Sape" every Congolese is involved in it. It's an ideology that started at the end of the 1970s beginning of the 80s. The head of the "Sape" the father of it all died a long time ago, but he also had a group around him such as Papa Wemba and others. For us "Sape" is a belief system. It's another world - a way of thinking," said Papy Ebotani, a dancer.
Funeral Brass has been performed in various African countries. It's been seen in Senegal, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The artists hope that they can communicate the intricacies of life and death through their work.
"That is to say the first time it was performed was in Senegal it was a success and then when I went back to Kisangani we performed the same show in six villages in the area. And in all six places it was a great hit. Everyone was pleased by the philosophy behind it and the way this project has evolved. So the first time it was in Kisangani and the second time we showed it in Bujumbura. And in Bujumbura it was completely different there was a special communication between us and the audience," added Ebotani.
This group of sapeurs are participating in the 12th Sharjah Biennial, a festival famous for its experimental art performances. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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