Story of the Week: Iron smelting continues to thrive
Before the coming of Europeans, Africans, including Rwandans, smelted iron and made different types of tools. That period in the history of mankind is called the Iron Age. It followed the Stone Age.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Before the coming of Europeans, Africans, including Rwandans, smelted iron and made different types of tools. That period in the history of mankind is called the Iron Age. It followed the Stone Age.
Today, some Rwandans have maintained the trade and even started making or modifying industrial products for local use.
Timothy Kisambira captured on lens a local smith, Juvénal Mugabo, making fork hoes as well as the use of the tool in construction.
Using intense heat, metal is softened and joined to required shape. (Timothy Kisambira)
After heating, he straightens the tool to shape by hitting. (Timothy Kisambira)
Putting final touches on the tool. (Timothy Kisambira)
Final product being used by a resident of Kinyinya during Umuganda. (Timothy Kisambira)
Another resident using mattocks to dig a channel for water pipes in Kinyinya. (Timothy Kisambira)