These "half-breeds" of the colonies, all born before independence, are separated from the rest of society. This decision was taken in 1903 by the Governor General of French West Africa. Each large city of the empire must then welcome them and provide them with a living space. In Côte d'Ivoire, they were placed in the Foyer des métis de Bingerville, a building that served as the governor's residence before being abandoned when the capital was transferred to Abidjan.

Long considered a taboo subject, some of them never wanted to tackle this part of their personal history. Through numerous unpublished testimonies, France 24 traces the forgotten history of these "pupils of the Nation".

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