France’s Self-Testimony on Algeria: Revealing the Truth Before ‘Divide and Rule’

A French document from 1858, compiled from interviews with Algerian tribal elders, reveals that many Algerian tribes were of Arab origin. This contradicts the later French policy of ‘divide and rule,’ which aimed to exploit and exacerbate ethnic divisions. The document, published in the ‘Revue Africaine,’ provides firsthand accounts of the origins of various tribes, highlighting their Arab lineage. The French officer conducting the interviews collected information on tribal history, customs, and leadership, revealing the complex social fabric of Algeria. This historical evidence challenges the narrative often presented by French colonial authorities, who sought to portray the Algerian population as ethnically diverse and easily divided. The document provides valuable insight into the history and complexities of Algerian society, exposing the strategic manipulations of the French colonial regime.