Blacksmiths of western Africa
Encyclopedia
Blacksmiths of Western Africa emerged around 1500 BC. Blacksmiths are feared in some West African societies for their powerful skills in metalworking, which is considered a form of magic, but universally revered by West African for their technological pioneering. While common people fear the power of the blacksmith, they are highly admired and hold high social status. Because the trade is so specialized and dangerous, blacksmith
s are often requisitioned by towns and villages where there are none (Ross). Other ironworking societies such as the Mande people of Mali and the Bamana exist in West Africa.
The first known Ironworking exists in Turkey and the age of metals such as gold, copper, silver, lead and iron were not made workable until approximately 4000 BC. This development slowed until around 1500 BC with the development of furnaces capable of forging iron tools. The era of iron had begun and the art of the blacksmith soon spread throughout Western Africa (Joyce 2002).
Throughout Nigeria two more very important West African civilizations arose. The Ife and the Oyo people of the Benin and Yoruba Kingdoms are very similar in their spiritual and ritual beliefs. Both base their existence around ironworking. To these African civilizations iron had become the key to their development and survival, and it was worshiped as such. The Ife and Oyo people believe that the blacksmith has the power to express the spirit of Ogun
, the god of iron, because they create iron, which is the foundation for their survival.
of Nigeria (Ross). Ogun is the god of iron and metalworking and was himself a user of iron as a blacksmith and metal worker. In Yoruba the use of “O” means “a spiritual force has mastered a particular form of wisdom” (Fatunmbi). Ogun therefore means the survival through assertive and aggressive action that is directed toward maintaining survival (Fatunmbi). Most of Nigeria's numerous ethnic cultures have a god of iron and metalworking in their traditional religion
.
“Nyama is the foundation that nourishes the institution of smithing, so that it may nourish society, is the simple axiom that knowledge can be power when properly articulated…. One must first possess it (nyama) in substantial amounts and then acquire the knowledge to manipulate and direct it to capitalize on its potential benefits. Acts that the difficult or dangerous—like hunting, or smelting, and forging iron—demand that a greater responsibility of energy and a higher degree of knowledge be possessed by the actor
(Perani, Smith 1998: 71).
They begin training at an early age, as an apprentice in order to master the techniques of blacksmithing by the time they reach adulthood and become a Mande Blacksmith.
The Bamana training of young blacksmiths lasts about eight years. After completion of the apprenticeship the young blacksmith is ready to begin forging tools, weapons, and ritual masks and staffs, used for ceremonial purposes. “When used actively and sacrificed to, iron staffs continue to gain and radiate power, the power to protect, cure, fight, honor, lead, and repel” (Perani, Smith 1998: 71-72).
s, called numu in Mande. Because these castes are endogenous
(they only marry within the group), they have in several instances become distinct ethnic groups, which when separated from their parent group have even developed distinct languages spoken only by blacksmiths. The best-known of these is Ligbi
; others include Tonjon
, Natioro
, Somyev
, and in eastern Africa, Ndo
.
Blacksmith
A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...
s are often requisitioned by towns and villages where there are none (Ross). Other ironworking societies such as the Mande people of Mali and the Bamana exist in West Africa.
Background
It is sometimes hard to imagine today an age where people used their surrounding environment as the only source for survival. At the very rise of African civilization the essential tools to survival were found through the use of wood and stone tools. These tools proved to work well enough for hunting and farming but as times changed and mankind evolved it became necessary to find more efficient means of survival.The first known Ironworking exists in Turkey and the age of metals such as gold, copper, silver, lead and iron were not made workable until approximately 4000 BC. This development slowed until around 1500 BC with the development of furnaces capable of forging iron tools. The era of iron had begun and the art of the blacksmith soon spread throughout Western Africa (Joyce 2002).
Nigeria
The Nok people of Nigeria show the art of blacksmiths, which date back to the sixth century BC. These Nigerian metalworkers developed a technology that gave them the upper hand in life, and would prove to be a technology to revolutionize the world. Ironworking made farming, hunting, and war much more efficient. Iron allowed for greater growth in societies. With the ability to support larger communities came social growth and the development of large kingdoms, which spread across Western Africa.Throughout Nigeria two more very important West African civilizations arose. The Ife and the Oyo people of the Benin and Yoruba Kingdoms are very similar in their spiritual and ritual beliefs. Both base their existence around ironworking. To these African civilizations iron had become the key to their development and survival, and it was worshiped as such. The Ife and Oyo people believe that the blacksmith has the power to express the spirit of Ogun
Ogoun
In the Yoruba and Haitian traditional belief system, Ogun is a orisha and loa who presides over iron, hunting, politics and war. He is the patron of smiths, and is usually displayed with a number of attributes: a machete or sabre, rum and tobacco...
, the god of iron, because they create iron, which is the foundation for their survival.
Ogun, the god of iron
Ogun, the god of iron, is one of the pantheon of "orisa" traditionally worshipped by the YorubaYoruba people
The Yoruba people are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. The majority of the Yoruba speak the Yoruba language...
of Nigeria (Ross). Ogun is the god of iron and metalworking and was himself a user of iron as a blacksmith and metal worker. In Yoruba the use of “O” means “a spiritual force has mastered a particular form of wisdom” (Fatunmbi). Ogun therefore means the survival through assertive and aggressive action that is directed toward maintaining survival (Fatunmbi). Most of Nigeria's numerous ethnic cultures have a god of iron and metalworking in their traditional religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
.
The Mande blacksmiths
The Mande blacksmiths are powerful individuals holding very important positions in society. Blacksmiths are often called upon by the chief for guidance in major decisions regarding the village. The power of the blacksmith is thought to be so great that they are also feared. Mande Blacksmiths control a force called nyama. This means that they control all energy and power in the village as well as the makeup and workings of the Mande society (Ross). The ability to control such a force is not given to just anyone. A single family in the village is designated to produce blacksmiths. The boys from that family are taught the daliluw, “the secret knowledge about the use and nature of nyama”(Ross).“Nyama is the foundation that nourishes the institution of smithing, so that it may nourish society, is the simple axiom that knowledge can be power when properly articulated…. One must first possess it (nyama) in substantial amounts and then acquire the knowledge to manipulate and direct it to capitalize on its potential benefits. Acts that the difficult or dangerous—like hunting, or smelting, and forging iron—demand that a greater responsibility of energy and a higher degree of knowledge be possessed by the actor
(Perani, Smith 1998: 71).
They begin training at an early age, as an apprentice in order to master the techniques of blacksmithing by the time they reach adulthood and become a Mande Blacksmith.
Bamana society
The Bamana society is very similar to the Mande. Bamana society is also endogamous, so blacksmith families are the only Blacksmiths in the village and they hold a very high status, due to the extreme power and responsibility that they possess. Bamana Blacksmiths are also experts in divination, amulet making, as well as the practice of medicines due to their extensive knowledge of the Spirit of Ogun. Bamana Blacksmiths are responsible with the well being of the villagers and the safety of the village. This power like the Mande is driven by their control over nyama.The Bamana training of young blacksmiths lasts about eight years. After completion of the apprenticeship the young blacksmith is ready to begin forging tools, weapons, and ritual masks and staffs, used for ceremonial purposes. “When used actively and sacrificed to, iron staffs continue to gain and radiate power, the power to protect, cure, fight, honor, lead, and repel” (Perani, Smith 1998: 71-72).
The situation today
The West African Blacksmiths mastered a tool that is still in use today. Iron has been a part of everyday life ever since. The intricate designs and mastered craftsmanship of the African Blacksmiths was truly unmatched in its time. Everything they created was done with a purpose in society. From the plows and hoes for cultivation to weaponry for hunting and protection. The African Blacksmiths were the key to survival for the Nok, Ife, Oyo, Mande, and Bamana people. The everyday objects were not intended as art because art was not essential in survival.Numu blacksmith castes and languages
In much of West Africa, blacksmiths form casteCaste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
s, called numu in Mande. Because these castes are endogenous
Endogenous
Endogenous substances are those that originate from within an organism, tissue, or cell. Endogenous retroviruses are caused by ancient infections of germ cells in humans, mammals and other vertebrates...
(they only marry within the group), they have in several instances become distinct ethnic groups, which when separated from their parent group have even developed distinct languages spoken only by blacksmiths. The best-known of these is Ligbi
Ligbi language
Ligbi is a Mande language spoken in Ghana in the north-west corner of the Brong-Ahafo region. Ligbi is spoken by approximately 10 000 speakers . It is fairly closely related to Jula, Vai and Kono. A small population of Ligbi speakers is reported to live in Côte d'Ivoire . Ligbi is also known as...
; others include Tonjon
Tonjon language
Tonjon is an extinct Mande language once spoken by blacksmiths among the Djimini Senoufo of Ivory Coast. It was closely related to Ligbi, another blacksmith language....
, Natioro
Natioro language
Natioro , or Koo’ra, is a Niger–Congo language of Burkina Faso spoken by a caste of blacksmiths....
, Somyev
Somyev language
Somyev , also known as Kila, is a nearly extinct Mambiloid language of Nigeria, spoken by a caste of blacksmiths that live among the Mambila....
, and in eastern Africa, Ndo
Ndo language
Ndo, also Ke’bu or Membitu, is a Central Sudanic language of northeastern Congo and western Uganda spoken by a caste of blacksmiths....
.