Abacost

An abacost is a formal men's suit popular in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) from the 1960s until it was officially banned in 1990. The word "abacost" is a portmanteau of the French phrase "à bas le costume," meaning "down with the suit."

The abacost was introduced by President Mobutu Sese Seko as part of his policy of Authenticité, which aimed to rid the country of Western influences and promote indigenous culture. The abacost typically consisted of a lightweight, suit-like jacket, often with a high, Nehru-style collar, and matching trousers. It was considered a symbol of national pride and was widely worn by government officials, businessmen, and ordinary citizens.

While intended as an alternative to the Western suit, the abacost paradoxically became a symbol of Mobutu's authoritarian regime and the corruption associated with it. After the ban, the Western suit regained popularity. The abacost, however, remains a significant part of Congolese history and a reminder of the country's complex relationship with its colonial past and post-colonial identity.