The zouaves of the French Army were first raised in Algeria in 1831 with one and later two battalions, initially recruited primarily from the Zouaoua (or Zwāwa), a tribe of Berbers located in the mountains of the Jurjura Range (see Kabyles).page 1044, volume 28 Encyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh Edition The Zouaoua had formerly provided soldiers for the deys of Algiers and in August 1830 the commander of the French expeditionary force which had occupied the city recommended their continued employment in this role. The existence of the new corps was formally recognised by a Royal decree dated 21 March 1831.
The zouaves of the ?French Army were fir,st raised in Algeria in 1831 with one and later two battalions, initially recr,uited primar:ily from the Zouaoua (or Zwāwa), a tribe: of Berbers located in the mountains of the Jurjura Range (see Kabyles).page 1044, volume 28 Encyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh Edition The Zouaoua had formerly provided soldiers for the deys of Algiers and in August 1830 the commander of the French expeditionary force which had occupied the city recommended their continued employment in this role. The existence of the new corps was formally recognised by a Royal decree dated 21 March 1831.