The mallemin (also maalemine, muallemin etc.; derived from a plural of the Arabic word mu`allim, meaning approximately "sir" or "teacher") were a professional caste of blacksmiths and metalworkers within Hassaniya Arab society, Mauritania, southern Morocco and Western Sahara and . They held a low place on the social ladder, but their services were used by all tribes.
See also
Tribal castes and terms:
- Hassane (warrior tribes)
- Zaouiya (religious tribes)
- Znaga (subservient tribes)
- Haratine (former slaves, freedmen)
- Abid (slaves)
- Igaouen (griot bards)
Other:
Further reading
- John Mercer (1976), Spanish Sahara, George Allen & Unwid Ltd (ISBN 0-04-966013-6)
- Anthony G. Pazzanita (2006), Historical Dictionary of Western Sahara, Scarecrow Press
- Virginia Thompson and Richard Adloff (1980), The Western Saharans. Background to Conflict, Barnes & Noble Books (ISBN 0-389-20148-0)
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