Subject: resistance fighter
Culture: Algerian Arab
Setting: French occupation, Algeria 1830s-1840s
Context (Event Photos, Primary Sources, Secondary Sources, Field Notes)
* Grbašić/Vukšić 1989 p250
"After the end of its unsuccessful attempt to expand in Europe, marked by the fall of Napoléon, the French bourgeoisie began to turn its sights upon North Africa. In 1830, General Bourmont's corps, assisted by the fleet, landed at Algiers and captured the city. When the French tried to take the rest of the country, they met with the stiff resistance of Algerian tribes led by Abd-el-Kader. In 1835, at the head of 8,500 light desert horsemen, he destroyed General Trezel's column of 2,500 men and six cannon. Abd-el-Kader's successful guerrilla operations in the vast, semi-desert expanses forced France to increase its occupation force to 100,000 men."
* Naylor 2009 p154
"French colonial plans confronted unremitting Algerian resistance. The principal opponent was the Emir Abd al-Qadir (1807-1883), a leader of the Qadiriyya brotherhood. His defeat of French forces in 1835 in western Algeria led to the Treaty of Tafna of 1837, which recognized his authority. Abd al-Qadir thereby organized a veritable state in western and central Algeria. The French also faced the resolute opposition of the Ottoman Ahmad Bey of Constantine. One French attempt to storm the city failed in 1836. It finally fell in 1837, but Ahmed Bey continued his resistance from southern Algeria for several more years.
"The Emir Abdelkader ibn Muhieddine ... was an Islamic scholar from Algeria who resisted French colonialism in the mid-19th century. His faith-based leadership, moral authority, keen intelligence, physical stamina, natural military prowess and knowledge of tribal ways enabled him to organize Algerian tribesmen into a guerrilla force that effectively resisted the French occupation. In order to avoid further suffering the Emir negotiated a truce with the French in 1847 after fifteen years of fighting one of the most advanced armies in the world at that time.
"[....] The occupation spawned a resistance movement from which Emir Abdelkader emerged as France’s most tenacious opposition leader. His strength was rooted in his faith, moral authority, keen intelligence, physical stamina, natural military prowess, and knowledge of tribal ways. His most effective weapons were his diplomatic astuteness, desert-hardened horses, and his Jewish intelligence network that kept him informed of the political divisions in France caused by its colonial adventure. He earned the respect of French generals and the gratitude of his French prisoners for the humane treatment he insisted they receive.
"French scorched earth tactics and desire to dominate all of Algeria led to widespread defections among Abdelkader’s tribal allies. After fifteen years of struggle and wanting to avoid further suffering of his people, the Emir surrendered voluntarily in 1847, believing it God’s will."
Costume
* Racinet 1988 p58 f2&3
"The Algerian shirt is short with baggy sleeves which fasten at the wrist. The everyday costume of the people is a haik, a pair of small leggings and, according to circumstances, a turban or a red woollen cap.
"Often this is worn with a short jacket, with or without sleeves. Baggy culottes are worn with large folds that go down to the bottom of the leg; watches and purses are hung from belts. Slippers are worn on the feet, but the calves are usually bare: only old people wear stockings and even then only in cold weather.
"The Moors of Tunisia wear a fez, or a red hood with a tassel of blue silk, with a small white calico bonnet beneath it. Next comes a waistcoat: with buttons -- a farmela -- or without -- a sadria, then an embroidered jacket, trousers, attached to an undershirt with laces, and stockings. Shoes, called sebbat, are worn outdoors, and slippers indoors.
"Scribes wear a kaftan: a large coat that reaches down as far as the heels. A zouka is a type of kaftan that stops at the knees, and another variation is a gefara, a type of small burnous."
Saber
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Knife
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