Tag: #forge
4
Jul
The disappearance of forge wood (Banzana, Mali), February 2023
We are descendants of Fakoly, our parents left Bougouni to come here. There are two Sissoko clans: the Sissoko koromagan and the Sissoko Fakoly. We are blacksmiths. We’ve been blacksmiths since our ances tors and we make hoes, knives, etc. Other blacksmiths make jewellery, others dugout canoes, others braids. Forge wood has become scarce. You have to travel about 20km
6
Apr
Consequences of the lack of wood on blacksmithing (Bouillagui, Mali), May 2021
In Bouillagui the blacksmiths are facing serious problems with charcoal, due to the lack of wood in the forest caused by global warming. The tree they use for forging is different from the others. It is called “djebee” in Soninke. It is a big tree that gives a slightly reddish wood. They have to go to Kayes to buy coal.