Blacksmiths

Community hiking

Blacksmiths

This reveals the African technology of using different tools and how skills were passed on from generation to generation. Mzee David Birikano is a popular blacksmith in the community; he produces knives, axes, wood carving tools, spears, dog bells, hoes, machetes and many others provides he gets either a description or a design. He uses metal scraps as raw materials. Some local people do barter metal scraps for tools. The old man acquired the skills from his parents; both his father and grandfather were blacksmiths. He has already trained his boys, who make demonstrations during tourists visit. David informed us that one of his challenges is that products meet stiff competition with Chinese products because they are produced cheaply and in big quantities. He however warns locals that he produces more durable materials and spends money locally. There are some products such as a special hoe for weeding, spears and a few others that large factories haven’t replicated yet. He notes that as a result of the competition, the number of blacksmiths in the area has reduced and the art is getting endangered. David has already benefited from tourism; he gets tourists once in a while and sells small items such as knives. The site has a rich history on the trail. The old man produces small items such as knives, spears, etc. that are light enough to be bought and carried away. Tourists are given an opportunity to participate in the activity mainly the part of igniting fire. The part of shaping the hot metal is majorly done by blacksmith as it may be risky and can cause accidents to tourists.