Congolese people vs Consumerism

I have asked a couple of people their opinion on the myth about congolese people Luv'ing luxury ... how would they define their desire of owning the best fashion item in fashion!

Me: What do you thinking about your constant desire of owning expensive items?!

Karina: I don't know, love expensive stuff...

Mel: I don't always buy expensive stuff, but I love shopping so I can buy cheap stuff as long as they look nice I'm satisfied  haahaha 

Me: You obviously didn't wake up one day and decided that you'd rather a buy a Christian Dior hand bag than an RR bag from the market... lol  I mean what really drives to buy those expensive stuff?

Karina: yeah I actually did have a dream where a wise man told me:'Thou shall never buy cheap stuff'... loool nah I'm joking! I mean it's like you grow up watching older women, your mum and dad, people in community, see how other people look at them with admiration and how they carry themselve, what they own...  so you obviously you wanna be like them when you're older and, so yeah here I am keeping the tradition go on...lol!

Mel: I'd say that more about the environment you grow up in, the people you're surrounded, family, going to congolese gatherings etc. you just pick up small things and before you know it, you find yourself buy Dior bag and not an RR from the market but as for me I don't really mind lol!!!!

My Oxford dictionary defines Consumerism as The preoccupation of society with the acquisition of consumer goods

by talking to my 2 congolese friends I came to the conclusion that we can devide congolese people  into categories: the ones that love luxury and consider that lifestyle as a tradition and the ones that only  are easily satified with what they have but wouldn't mind having more!

 Those like me who love luxury really fascinate me...!!

I mean what motivates us, what keeps the fire of buying brand items burning in us?

Congolese people and luxury

''Black people love  are materialists, they love big car, jewleries, shopping, big brand, flashy cloths... to cut it short: Anything that is expensive!''- Typical definition of any balck African. This could just be a stereotype as well as a fact  but it's up to you decide.

But one thing is sure: there is a special chemistry between Congolese people and luxury. We don't love them...  We Luv' it!

I will start by defining the key word 

sapeur:

A "Sapeur" is a member of

'La SAPE' (Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Elégantes), an exclusive club based around a flamboyant,

but impeccably groomed style

of dress.

Sapeurs elevate European haute couture designer fashions to the status of mock religion, enjoyingstreet posing & style demonstrations.

Sapeurs also have their own code of honour, based on good manners, politeness and morality.Sapeurs reject violence, as its thought that if your clothes can't do your fighting for you, you're nota real sapeur."

Franca Eirich, 2009

social researcher

www.oranges-and-apples.com

As a young black African female I asked myself: why do they luv' luxury so much ? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? How do congolese people maintain this lifestyle? Can they all afford it..?