Zouaves, << zoo AHVZ, >> were soldiers of certain light infantry regiments in the French Army who wore distinctive Oriental-style uniforms. The name Zouave came from that of the Zouaoua tribe of Kabyles in Algeria, where the French first recruited Zouaves in 1830. At first, these regiments consisted mainly of Algerians. Later, Frenchmen joined the Algerian regiments. Finally, the army separated the Zouaves into French and Algerian regiments. The Algerian regiments were called Turcos. The Zouaves fought with Free French forces in North Africa during World War II (1939-1945).
Zouave regiments were also formed in the Union and Confederate armies during the American Civil War (1861-1865). These regiments, which consisted of American volunteers, also wore Oriental-style uniforms.
