Questioning the practice of la sape: will the London movement survive?

Morsiani, B. 2021. Questioning the practice of la sape: will the London movement survive? African and Black Diaspora: An International Journal. 14 (1), pp. 9-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/17528631.2021.1920132

TitleQuestioning the practice of la sape: will the London movement survive?
TypeJournal article
AuthorsMorsiani, B.
Abstract

This article explores the transformation of la sape, a well-established fashion and lifestyle subculture in Congolese diasporic culture, among the London Congolese group. The focal point of investigation is the distinctive role that the city of London has played in shaping the practice. Following an overview on the body performance of la sape, the paper traces the quite recent establishment and evolution of the trend in the city. Some ambivalent points of view among older generation of London sapeurs are also introduced. Significantly, the article documents several voices of younger London Congolese who are not members of the group and stand firmly against it. Their experiences highlight controversial ways of looking at the lifestyle choices and values promoted by the movement. The paper, therefore, demonstrates how the city of London has forged deep discrepancies within the group and has influenced a generational polarity regarding the subculture among British Congolese.

KeywordsSociology and Political Science
Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
Anthropology
Cultural Studies
Demography
JournalAfrican and Black Diaspora: An International Journal
Journal citation14 (1), pp. 9-22
ISSN1752-8631
1752-864X
Year2021
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/17528631.2021.1920132
Publication dates
Published online06 May 2021
Published in print02 Jan 2021

Related outputs

Transcultural body spaces: re-inventing and performing headwrap practice among young Congolese women in London
Morsiani, B. 2020. Transcultural body spaces: re-inventing and performing headwrap practice among young Congolese women in London. African and Black Diaspora: An International Journal. 13 (1), pp. 15-26. https://doi.org/10.1080/17528631.2018.1537592

Performing cultural identities and transnational ‘imaginaries’: fashion and beauty practices as diasporic spaces among young London Congolese
Morsiani, B. 2019. Performing cultural identities and transnational ‘imaginaries’: fashion and beauty practices as diasporic spaces among young London Congolese. PhD thesis University of Westminster School of Humanities https://doi.org/10.34737/qxwyv

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