Warfare in Pre-Colonial Africa

An Examination of the Role of African Blacksmiths

Datos Bibliográficos

ID20206093
AutoresChukwudi G Chidume, C N Oko-Out, Gilbert Chukwu Aro, Okonkwo C Eze (0000-0002-8885-7134), I N Enwo-Irem, Immaculata Nnenna Enwo–Irem, F M Nwankwo
Año2021
Volumen25
Número1
Páginas69-82
Fecha de publicación2021-02-22
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaTrames Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1406-0922 • E-ISSN: 1736-7514
EditorialEstonian Academy Publishers (PUBLISHER • EE)
DOI10.3176/tr.2021.1.05
OpenAlexW3133478085
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas14

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

Archaeology · Colonialism · Political science · Asian Industrial and Economic Development · Employment and Welfare Studies · History · Labor Movements and Unions