Zaptié

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Zaptié was the designation given to locally raised gendarmerie units in the Italian colonies of Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, Eritrea and Somalia between 1889 and 1942. The word "zaptié" was derived from Turkish and the same title was given to mounted police recruited from the Turkish community in Cyprus during the period of British rule.

The Italian colonial governments in the territories listed above modelled the various zaptié constabulary forces on Italy's own carabinieri. The first of these units was raised in Eritrea in 1882, drawing from existing companies of "basci bazuks" (tribal irregulars).

They were armed with mounted rifles and sabres. Officers and some non commissioned officers were Italian but the rank and file were recruited from the colony in question. As an example the Somali Zaptié Corps in 1927 numbered 1,500 Somali and 72 Italian personnel. Uniforms varied from colony to colony but usually comprised fezs, red sashes and khaki or white clothing. A common feature was the white and red collar insignia of the carabinieri. In Italian Somalia the zaptié provided a ceremonial escort for the Italian Viceroy (Governor) as well as the territorial police.

[edit] See also

• Camel cavalry
• Italian Africa Police

Source

"Le Uniformi dell" AOI (Somalia 1889-1941)" Priero Crocaini and Andrea Viotti.