Évolué

'evolved one' or 'developed one') is a French label used during the colonial era to refer to an African who had "evolved" by becoming Europeanised through education or assimilation and had accepted European values and patterns of behavior.

Évolués spoke French, followed European (rather than customary) laws, usually held white-collar jobs (although rarely higher than clerks), and lived primarily in urban areas of the colony.

"[2] While there were no universal criteria for determining évolué status, it was generally accepted that one would have "a good knowledge of French, adhere to Christianity, and have some form of post-primary education.

"[4] On 12 July 1948, the Governor-General of the Belgian Congo issued an ordinance creating the carte de mérite civique (civic merit card),[5] which could be granted to any Congolese who had no criminal record, did not practice polygamy, abandoned traditional religion, and had some degree of education.

The evaluation was administered by an investigative commission, which would visit a candidate in his home, examine his household items such as linen and silverware, and ascertain if he ate with his wife at the table and communicated with his children in French.

[2] In the final years leading up to independence, évolués played a major role in colonial propaganda as they were felt to exemplify the success of the Belgian civilizing mission begun under King Leopold II.