Abstract :

This paper gives general account of iron work industry (Blacksmithing) in Adamawa emirate, which have been an integral subsector of the manufacturing agricultural, domestic tools and indigenous weapons. Smithing is the act of turning mined ores into useful metal objects. There are two parts of smithing: smelting and forging. Smelting means using a furnace to convert ores into metal bars. Forging means hammering metal bars on anvil to make weapon pieces of armour, dart tips and more. The industry contributes to the growth and development of commercial activities and livelihood of the people of Yola (Adamawa) and their neighbours. It is worthy to note that the history of iron work activity in Yola shows the evolution and exposed the region in the face of wider world with its technological advancement. The paper adopted both primary and secondary sources of data collection because many researches undertook in the region were mostly focused on socio-political than economic history of the region especially on iron work industry which was neglected. Therefore, research on iron works should give light on the activities of blacksmithing in Yola area and its significant to the economic growth and development of the area.

---

Keywords :

Blacksmith, Iron, Manufacturing, Processing, Smilthing.

---

References :

1. Alkasum, A. (2003). History of Yola 1809-1914: The Establishment and Evolution of a Metropolis, Zaria, Ahmadu Bello University Press.
2. Allison, K. (1975). “An Analysis of the Factors Determining the Spatio-Temporal Patterns and Functional Characteristics of Markets in the Yola Study Area, Northeast Nigeria”: MSc Dissertation, Department of Geography, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario.
3. Bappa Abdullahi, Buba Kila and Hammajam Sale, Interviewed 8^th December, 2022 in their workshop at Fadde Damare, Yola Town.
4. Bealer, A. W. (2009). The Art of Blacksmithing. Yorkshire: Castle Books.
5. Bello, M. (2018). A Study of Livestock Economy in the Zamfara-Axis of the Rima Basin Region- 1903-2016”, PhD Thesis, Department of History, Usmanu Danfodio University.
6. Chubado, U. (2019). “A History of Balala District, Adamawa Emirate, 1926-1993” M.A Dissertation, Department of History, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
7. Chubado, U. (2012). “The Socio-economic History of Pariya in Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State from 1960 to 2010”, B.A Project, Department of History, University of Maiduguri, Borno.
8. Chubado, U. and Juliet, J.O. (2022). “Social and Economic Activities of the People of Gusau and their Neighbours in the Nineteenth Century: (A Survey on Trade and Commerce)”: International Journal of Recent Research in Social Sciences and Humanities (IJRRSSH), Vol. 9, Issue 3: (Pp: 34-39). DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6867002
9. Chubado, U. and Musa, I.M. (2020). “An Empirical Analysis of the Historical Assessment of Yola District, Adamawa (1909-1993)”: Lapai Journal of Humanities (LJH), Volume 11 No. 5, (Pp. 41-53).
10. David, H. & Bernhard, H. (1993). Basic Tools and Equipment of the Rural Blacksmith. London: Intermediate Technology Publications.
11. Kingsley O.E. and Razaq O.R.K. (2015). “Emerging Trends in Blacksmithing in Benin City, Nigeria”: CITAR Journal, Volume 7, No. 2, (Pp. 70-76)
12. Kirk-Greene, A.H.M. (1969). Adamawa Past and Present — Historical Approach to the Development of a Northern Cameroons Province, London, Oxford University Press
13. Hodder, B.W. (1969). Markets in West Africa. Ibadan: Ibadan University Press.
14. Isa, B. (Iron Worker), Aged 59, Interviewed December 3^rd, 2022 in his House at Damare Kila.
15. Newman, T.R. (1974). Contemporary African Arts and Crafts. New York: Crown Publishers Inc
16. Oke, P.K. & Aderoba, A.A. (2000). “Mechanization of Heat Treatment Facilities in Local Blacksmithies”. Nigerian Journal of Engineering Management, Vol. 1, 20-26.
17. Osagie, J.I. & Ikponmwosa, F. (2015). “Crafts Guilds and the Sustenance of Pre-colonial Benin Monarch”. International Journal of Arts and Humanities, Vol. 4(1), 1-17. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ijah.v4i1.1
18. Ross, E.G. (2000). “The Age of Iron in West Africa”, Heilbrunn Timelines of Art History, New York: the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
19. Sa’ad, A. (2008). The Lamibe of Fombina: A Political History of Adamawa Emirate 1809-2008, Ibadan, Wright Nigeria (Publishers).
20. Shelter Centre (2013). “Blacksmithing”. Retrieved 13^th Februarys, 2022 from http://humanitarianlibrary.org/resource/blacksmithing