Blacksmithing in Eruwa Preserving Yoruba Craftsmanship in a Modern World: Historical Trajectory, Spiritual Relevance, and Industrial Threats

In the rolling hills of Ibarapa East, Oyo State, Nigeria, the rhythmic clang of hammer on anvil once echoed through Eruwa’s markets, forests, and shrines. For centuries, blacksmiths—revered as masters of iron and emissaries of Ogun, the Yoruba god of metallurgy—forged the tools that tilled the land, defended the people, and sanctified sacred rites.This groundbreaking study takes you deep into Eruwa’s living forge, where ancient techniques survive amid the roar of modern machines. Through rare oral histories, exclusive interviews with master artisans, and never-before-documented photographs from the field, you’ll discover:The secret origins of Eruwa’s blacksmithing guilds, tracing lineages back to the legendary prince Obaseeku and the sacred hills of Akolu and Ilewu.Step-by-step traditional forging methods: from smelting scrap iron in clay furnaces to tempering blades with ancestral precision, still practiced by the town’s last active smiths.The spiritual power of iron: how ritual tools, ceremonial swords, and protective charms link blacksmiths to Yoruba cosmology, Ogun worship, and the Egungun and Oro festivals.The modern struggle: why mass-produced tools, youth disinterest, and raw material scarcity have left only one active blacksmith workshop standing in Eruwa today.Real solutions, from vocational revival programs to cultural tourism models, that could save this 400-year-old craft from extinction.Rich with Yoruba proverbs, artisan songs, and never-published images of forges, tools, and royal ceremonies, this book is more than a historical record, it’s a blueprint for cultural survival.Whether you’re a scholar of African studies, a heritage advocate, a craftsman, or simply someone who believes tradition can thrive in the 21st century, Blacksmithing in Eruwa will ignite your passion for indigenous knowledge and urgent preservation.Don’t let the last forge go cold. Grab your copy now and help keep the fire of Yoruba craftsmanship alive.