"The Sapeurs today belong to Le Sape - one of the worlds most exclusive clubs.
Members have their own code of honour, codes of professional conduct, and strict notions of morality.
Its a world within a world within a city.
The arrival of the French and the Belgians to the Congo, at the beginning of the 20th Century, brought along the myth of Parisian elegance among the Congolese youth working for the colonialists.
In 1922, Matsoua was the first ever Congolese to return from Paris fully clad as an authentic French gentleman, which caused great uproar and much admiration amongst his fellow countrymen.
He was the first Grand Sapeur."
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