SAPE - Conspicuous Consumption in Congo

[thenanyu]

http://www.africafeed.com/post/73905...-gucci-loafers

The article talks about a dandy sub-culture in poverty stricken Congo. People are dirt poor but shell out a year's wages for Prada suits and such.

Excerpt:

In a country where many survive on 30 cents a day, Papy Mosengo is flashing $1,000 worth of designer clothing on his back, Dolce Gabbana cap and Versace stretch shirt to his spotless white Gucci loafers.

"It makes me feel so good to dress this way," the 30-year-old said when asked about such conspicuous consumption in a city beset by unemployment, crime and homelessness. "It makes me feel special."

But Mosengo can scarcely afford this passion for fashion. He worked eight months at his part-time job at a money-exchange shop to earn enough for the single outfit, one of 30 he owns, so he'll never have to wear the same one twice in a month. He doesn't own a car. He lets an ex-girlfriend support their 5-year-old son and still lives with his parents, sleeping in a dingy, blue-walled bedroom that is more aptly described as a closet with a mattress.

 

[Milhouse]

I can't believe that anyone would be so crude as to live in their parents' house just so they can afford designer clothing! Sickening.

 

[thenanyu]

I just find it weird that the rest of the townsfolk don't pummel the **** out of these people.

 

[Douglas]

Let's face it: Maslow's hierarchy is completely on its freaking head. I have my ideas on why that might be so in a place like the US, but stuff like this just completely confounds me.

 

[scarphe]

this is really old news.

 

[JayJay]

It's not only in the Congo.

 

[Fuuma]

Sapeurs are so 12 yrs ago.

 

[redcaimen]

"He lets an ex-girlfriend support their 5-year-old son..."

Say what you will about his priorities, at least he is a generous man.

 

[butterflystyle]

I see people in here posting pictures of bespoke suits posing in front of furniture they either found on the street or their parents gave them. I dont think that's much different.

 

[ms244]

Whats his screen name?

 

[Journeyman]

I've read a few articles on this phenomenon over the years, and I think that a book of photographs of "les sapeurs" came out a while ago, too.

It's quite a fascinating, albeit rather depressing, cultural phenomenon.
It rather reminds me of a cargo cult.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by Journeyman

I've read a few articles on this phenomenon over the years, and I think that a book of photographs of "les sapeurs" came out a while ago, too.

It's quite a fascinating, albeit rather depressing, cultural phenomenon.
It rather reminds me of a cargo cult.
I saw some of this when I visited the continent last year. I was bewildered by it, although I've seen the same phenomenon elsewhere.

 

[FLMountainMan]

Meh, a few random idiots in a country of millions. Let Darwin sort them out.

 

[Scrumhalf]

Surreal. Although coming to think of it, living beyond one's means seems to also be a common affliction in a bigger and somewhat more affluent society that I am familiar with, thanks to the magic of credit card debt.....

 

[thenanyu]

Originally Posted by Scrumhalf

Surreal.

Although coming to think of it, living beyond one's means seems to also be a common affliction in a bigger and somewhat more affluent society that I am familiar with, thanks to the magic of credit card debt.....

Well that's the thing. The people described in the article are not in debt. They actually save up money over long periods of time to buys their stuff. At least a portion of them end up neglecting more important things in life, but I would say they are still living within their means.