Harfiūn

Harfiūn are the skilled artisan class of the Merchant Republic of Sahraʾ, responsible for transforming raw materials into finished goods for local markets and long‐distance trade. Positioned above Mazarie (farmers, miners, and foragers) but below the ranks of traveling merchants (al‑Taajir) and their sponsors, Harfiūn occupy a critical middle tier in Sahraʾ’s mercantile hierarchy.

To qualify as a Harfiūn, an individual must complete at least five years of apprenticeship under an established master and secure the sponsorship of a Kabīra al‑Taajir or inherit patronage through family connections. Their workshops produce textiles, metalwork, pottery, and other crafted wares that supply caravan caravans and tent‑cities across Sahraʾ. Despite their indispensable economic role, Harfiūn have limited upward mobility: advancement beyond this rank typically requires investing in the apprenticeship of one’s children under a higher merchant sponsor.