ABSTRACT
Ironworking The iron of Barotseland, although soft, can be ground to a fair degree of sharp-
ness and is more adaptable to rough work than European steel. Although sometimes dug for, most iron is obtained from stream-and river-beds and from swamp soil. Smelting is done by placing the new iron under a large fire in a circular fireplace from which the molten iron runs off in small channels into cup-like depressions, where it is left to cool. Fire is kindled with two sticks; one stick, of a very hard dry wood about 4 | feet in length and very thin, is placed in a hole in a piece of diy wood, tinder of dried palm leaves is placed round the hole, then one man holds the stick in place and another rotates the long thin stick, slowly at first then faster. When the wood begins to glow it is placed on the grass and blown into a flame. Blacksmiths use charcoal made from hard red wood for their fires. They use twin bellows and manipulate the iron with primitive pincers, heavy and light hammers and an anvil of iron. Most smithing is in the hands of the Totela, but the Kwangwa, Nkoya and Mbunda also practise the art, which is often hereditary, being transmitted from father to son. They manufacture spear-, axe-, hoe-and mattock-heads, snuff spoons, crocodile hooks, knife blades, dagger blades, iron ankle-rings, hammers, etc. A good smith generally embellishes his work with punched ornamentations or bosses.
