The Ethiopian Iron Smelter and his World

The blacksmith's role in material transformations (ore to iron) is frequently used as metaphor for social transformations i.e. rites de passage.

The transformative aspects of iron working are striking; iron smelting is seen as analogous to giving birth; the blacksmith's role in material transformations (ore to iron) is frequently used as metaphor for social transformations i.e. rites de passage; the forging of artefacts in the smithy on the other hand is often used as model for conceptualization of the divine creation of the universe.