Challenges of Preserving Traditional Blacksmithing Skills for Future Generations

TLDR

• The village of Komakundi in the Mamba Kaskazini ward has a blacksmithing tradition that has existed for over 300 years.
• Local lore states that the blacksmithing skills were introduced by a woman from West Africa who sought refuge in the area.
• Leonard Ngowi, a local councilor over 60 years old, recalls that blacksmithing has been practiced in the community since his childhood.
• The Komakundi Blacksmiths group, led by Ombaristo Makundi, aims to preserve traditional skills and integrate them into the local economy.
• The blacksmithing process involves using iron-rich soil from the Pare region, which is processed with intense heat and charcoal to produce various tools.