Blacksmithing is not confined to Europe, although we often hear about the French forge. Indeed, many African peoples worked metal in their own way, even before the arrival of European settlers. In this anthropological extract from 1872, donated to us by Jacques Benmussa, we read that African tribes forged iron in their own skilful way.
Revue d'Anthropologie, Volume 1. Published by Paul Topenard, circa 1872.
Weapons and utensils used by the Cafres and Boschimans
by Mr Cari Ludolf Griesbach
"The various tribes of East Africa use self-made iron weapons and tools, and show great skill in melting and working metal. Among the Cafres, blacksmiths are numerous, but their metallurgical science is very primitive. Two rounded blocks of green stone support an anvil on which red-hot iron is beaten with a heavy hammer, while another native keeps the fire going in a small hole dug in the ground. Two carefully stitched goatskins meet in a hollow bouvart horn, the other end of which faces the fire. By alternately compressing one and lifting the other, a current of air is established across the coals, producing a sufficient amount of heat. Such primitive forges can be found throughout the Cafrerie, Natal and Zulu countries, as well as in Zambezia, where the Cafres, although in contact with the Portuguese for three centuries, have not yet adopted European metalworking methods.
All the asseyais of the Cafres and the arrowheads of the northern tribes are made by native blacksmiths, usually by smelting iron directly into its ore. The natives also know how to make wire, and for this purpose make use of small iron plates pierced with holes. Some northern tribes, such as the Amaswagi and Amandebeli, know how to mix metals to obtain bronze and brass. In a few places, tin is also known."