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. 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: Mauritania Western Sahara Hassaniya Arabic Arab Berber people
Further reading
John Mercer (1976), Spanish Sahara, George Allen & Unwid Ltd () 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 ()