Savari

Savari was the designation given to the regular Libyan cavalry regiments of the Italian colonial army in Tripolitania and Cyrenaica. The word "savari" was derived from a Persian term for "horsemen" ( Savārān ) .

Organisation

First raised in December 1912, these units were recruited from the Arab-Berber population of the two territories following the Italian occupation in 1911-12. The officers of the fourteen squadrons (twelve "regular line" and two "command") comprising these corps were nearly all Italian. Their troopers and some of the non-commissioned officers were Berber and Arab volunteers, who had a long tradition of horsemanship.

Seven squadrons were recruited from Tripolitania and five from Cyrenica in the 1930s .

Uniforms

Each squadron was distinguished by a distinctively coloured sash and farmula (sleeveless jacket) worn with white or khaki uniforms according to occasion. Sash and farmula colours were yellow, black, crimson, blue, green, red and orange, worn in various combinations according to the unit. Dark red "tachia" fez of traditional Libyan pattern were worn by all Muslim personnel.

History

The Savari formed part of the Regio Corpo Truppe Coloniali della Libia (Royal Corps of Libyan Colonial Troops or RCTL), which included desert and camel troops, infantry battalions,...
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