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Photo © Audrey Jeane

2nd classified

Yamea

Yamea
by Tariq Zaidi


Yamea, 58, who has been a 'Sapeur' for half a century, brings colour and joie de vivre to his community. He has nine children and works as a bricklayer. His favourite item of clothing is his hat. La Sape, Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes (Society of Ambiance Makers & Elegant People) is a fashion subculture in the cities of Kinshasa (DRC) and Brazzaville (Republic of the Congo). Someone who follows La Sape is known as a Sapeur.