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Memories
of Blue and Gray -- What
is a Zouave? by Joseph F. Sherwood
Who
are those colorful characters in bright red baggy bloomer-type trousers, tight
sashes, small decorative vests, Fez-type caps that provide a big and prominent
splash of color among the reenactors today?
Yet, they can inexplicable be found in the Union and Confederate armies
during the war for Southern independence. These
incongruent warriors don't blend in with the rest of the braided & tasseled
Blue and Gray uniforms of the Victorian era and the 19th Century soldiers of
America.
I've heard this question being asked by spectators and reenactors alike after I
took up the turbulent hobby of historical replays two years ago.
Zouave (pronounced zwav) is a French word that means Algerian soldier.
The name dates back to 1830 after France took control of Algeria and
organized the fierce fighting Arabo-Berber tribesmen (who were not Arabs), that
inhabited the rugged Kabylia region of the Northeast, into an infantry regiment.
The indigenous Arabs, of the 7th Century, invaded North Africa and brought Islam
to the region. Up to the 16th
Century, the Almoravides and Almohades united the present Algeria with Morocco
and Spain in a great Moorish empire. Even
today, King Hussen II of Morocco and his people still lay claim to the territory
that is part of the great Sahara Desert known as Algeria.
20th Century soldiers of Morocco, Algeria and Libya still wear these same
baggy trousers with the crotch at knee-level, a snug sash, small decorative vest
and Fez that make up the colorful fighter that we identify today, in America, as
a ZOUAVE.
But Wait! That's not the end of
this strange and fascinating, but true, story.
The Islamic religion of North Africa dictates that the low crotch design
always exist and that the lower end of each trouser leg be tight at the ankles.
Why? Because Muslims believe that Allah (God) will come back to
Earth by way of man.
Mr. Joseph F. Sherwood (Owner of "Sherwood Writing & Photographic
Services" - see ad) spent many years in Morocco and Libya studying the
people and their ways. Let us give
him a warm welcome to TR!LM, and a special thanks for his enlightenment about
the Zouave.
As some of you may recall back in 1993, (Issue: V2 # 3) we did a quick look at
the Zouave, looking at the uniform based on French colonial units'.
I look forward to publishing an interview with a Zouave reenactor in an
upcoming issue, which includes his perspective of proper wear of the uniform,
etc. -- Take care!
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