par de Maret, Pierre
Référence Africa, 50, 3, page (263-279)
Publication Publié, 1980
Article révisé par les pairs
Résumé : Recently, there has been an increased concern for iron technology in Africa, particularly in smelting, but except for West Africa, little is known about the social, economic and symbolic aspects of metallurgy. This article shows the variability in attitudes towards metalworking in central African societies. This is of interest to the archaeological interpretation of protohistoric metalworking in general. The access to the craft, the forms of apprenticeship, the purpose of the craft guilds where they exist, the absence of castes, the political significance of metallurgy, are discussed. In West Central Africa the smith holds a high status position and is often identified with the chief or even the king. Considerable variations in the organization of the production can be found. As elsewhere in Africa, the smiths held a prominent symbolic role. Among the Bantu-speaking people, it is suggested that his role within the culture is the same as that played by woman in nature. This may help to explain some of the rituals and prohibitions surrounding iron working. The relationship of fertility and metallurgy accounts for the importance held by the craft among most of the sacred kingships in the area. -English summary