The casting for an African beauty-pageant begins

Yesterday I lucked into the casting for "Miss RDC * in France". That is, I spent the afternoon in a Cameroonian record-store that has been a landmark to Africans since the 1960's ** and watched an early selection of candidates for a beauty-queen contest in June.

Of course the young women were pretty, but they were also modest. "What makes you different from other candidates?" was a question most found hard to answer. They were too well brought up to praise themselves.

Here are photos of this unusual afternoon.

Friends came to encourage.

Notice the jury members' bracelets.

Practicing the pageant was dignified and simple.

The winner will set off a week of festivities on June 18.

To be continued.

* République Démocratique du Congo

** "Akuesson World-Wide", 89 rue de Dunkerque, 9th Arrondissement, Métro Anvers. The neighborhood is specialized in today's music.

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