Role Of Metallurgy In Africa

The role/significance of metallurgy in precolonial Africa

Introduction

Mining and metallurgy play a tremendous role in present day Africa’s economy, politics and social anthropology. Historians argue whether metallurgy and mining in before or after European colonization, played any significant role in African societies, though there is archaeological and paleoanthropological evidence to prove that great African civilizations were a result of the adoption of metallurgy. Presumably, metallurgy makes up a great piece of Africa’s ethnography. The practical usefulness, aesthetic and ceremonial values are a centre of not only daily activities, but the luxuries consumed by humans were anchored since the beginning of metallurgy anywhere the world.

‘’The mining techniques did not differ significantly throughout southern Africa.’’ Panning, scavenging, open pit mining and deep underground mining; all these ways were used across Africa to extract mineral ores from the earth. Every society had restrictions on who could mine, and who could be a smith. Since metal working coexisted with agriculture, mining was done in dry seasons, cultivation in wet seasons (so that they do not conflict). The degree of ritualization associated with metallurgy is believed to have led to the restrictions on mining and metal working. Ritualization was more present in underground mining were the miners were predominantly male. Women, young men and children carried the labour of mining, depending on society. In most cases, men were involved in the smelting process. The failure of smelting furnaces was linked to the disobedience restrictions on who could use furnaces, or could come next to them, infidelity, pollution and sorcery. There have been constraints in the mining techniques. For example, a lot of decision making and technological innovation was required in deep underground mining because there were concerns with ventilation, illumination and transportation of metal ores to the surface, similarly with open

This led to the formation of micro-states, spread of languages and, political and social stratification gained momentum. Metal smiths used their metal working expertise to form chiefdoms. Metallurgical specialization and labour division was characteristic to urban societies in Africa (in many West African societies, male iron workers and female porters were segregated from the rest of the society). Trade of metals also played a role in the emergence of hierarchical states (gold was the centre of trade between great states such as Mapungubwe and Great Zimbabwe and the Indian Ocean trade systems). The erection of monumental architecture and other symbols of power were subsequent to metal trade, as in the construction of homesteads and ornaments in ancient Mapungubwe and Great Zimbabwe. It is fair to deduce that this could have occurred in states where kings had bureaucratic control over metals, and metal production increased significantly. Metals also played other political roles, for taxes, tribute to kings and maintaining political alliances. Political stratification using metals created conflicts between societies and different classes of people. This is believed to have led to exchange of metals and slaves with weaponry with Asia traders and consequently led to European