Mallemin

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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, in today's Western Sahara and Mauritania. They held a low place on the social ladder, but their services were used by all tribes.

[edit] 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:

• Mauritania
• Western Sahara
• Hassaniya Arabic
• Arab
• Berber people

[edit] 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)