WARFARE IN PRE-COLONIAL AFRICA: AN EXAMINATION OF THE ROLE OF AFRICAN BLACKSMITHS

The rise, fall and expansion of most kingdoms in pre-colonial Africa were credited to the activities of warfare. To sustain war efforts, various societies and warlords in pre-colonial Africa evolved unique military complexes, strategies and tactics, which they deployed during war times. The blacksmi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inTrames (Tallinn) Vol. 25; no. 1; pp. 69 - 82
Main Authors Chidume, C.G, Oko-Otu, C.N, Aro, G.C, Eze, O.C, Enwo-Irem, I.N, Nwankwo, F.M
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Tallinn Estonian Academy Publishers 01.03.2021
Teaduste Akadeemia Kirjastus (Estonian Academy Publishers)
Subjects
African history
Armed forces
Blacksmiths
Colonialism
Dependency theory
History
Metal workers
Metallurgy
Military aspects
Military deployment
Military history
Military policy
Military technology
Repair
Social aspects
Social role
War
Weapons
Africa
Hausaland
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Summary:The rise, fall and expansion of most kingdoms in pre-colonial Africa were credited to the activities of warfare. To sustain war efforts, various societies and warlords in pre-colonial Africa evolved unique military complexes, strategies and tactics, which they deployed during war times. The blacksmith was the fulcrum of pre-colonial war armory and strategy. The knowledge of iron metallurgy was the exclusive domain of the blacksmith. The knowledge of metallurgy made the blacksmith indispensable in actual execution of wars, hence he fashioned the weapon, went with the army to the battlefield to ensure adequate supply of weapons and repair of worn-out weapons for the reinforcement of the armies in the battleground. All these functions combined, made the blacksmiths an invaluable party in the preparation and actual execution of wars in pre-colonial Africa.
ISSN:1406-0922
1736-7514
DOI:10.3176/tr.2021.1.05