Incorporés

Incorporés refers to a historical administrative and military practice, primarily associated with the French colonial system, where indigenous individuals were incorporated into French administrative structures or military units. This incorporation often aimed to facilitate colonial governance and control by utilizing local populations to assist in managing territories.

In the administrative context, incorporation meant that certain local leaders or individuals were granted specific roles within the colonial administration, such as becoming chiefs of villages or assisting in tax collection. This was a way to co-opt existing power structures and reduce the direct burden of administration on the French.

In the military sphere, incorporated soldiers, often referred to as tirailleurs, spahis, or goumiers, were recruited from indigenous populations to serve in colonial armies. These troops played a significant role in various military campaigns throughout French colonial history, often serving alongside European troops. Their incorporation allowed for greater military presence and effectiveness in vast colonial territories. The terms and conditions of their service, as well as their rights and integration, varied significantly over time and across different colonies. This practice was a key element in the expansion and maintenance of European colonial empires.