Learning chemistry of metals in the context of forging: An ethnographic case study of blacksmithing in Guji Oromo, Ethiopia.

ABSTRACT: This study explores the art of blacksmithing in Guji Oromo to locate underlying chemistry concepts, knowledge, and ways of knowing. The ethnographic case study design was employed, in which 11 blacksmiths were engaged through observation and semi-structured interviews. The data from the interview and observation were separately analyzed and triangulated against each other thematically. As a result, it was found that the blacksmiths in Guji use three mechanisms to identify the quality and suitability of metals collected for redesigning: textual, mechanical, and sparking tests. Besides, blacksmiths with no or little schooling have a remarkable conception of the fundamentals of metals and metallic bonding, malleability and ductility as a measure of metal qualities, rusting as threats to the e

SUBMITTER: Tigist M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11417260 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature