IRONWORK AS A VEHICLE FOR PROMOTING ART IN AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

It has been observed that ironwork faces so many problems that limit its objective of providing
jobs and producing item that could serve the needs of the populace. In contemporary society,
people seem less interested in Ironwork while patronage has also reduced. This study
investigated the origin and history of blacksmithing in Awka, examining the trends, and issues
in the industry. The study also examined the current state of blacksmithing in Awka as well as
its future. Descriptive survey was used for the study while the study area was Awka, Anambra
State. The population of the study was all the registered members of the Blacksmith
Association in Anambra State. They are 34 in number. The grounded theory approach was
used in the analysis of data for the study. The result of this study showed that blacksmithing
originated in Awka when a man from Ezeagu, in the present day Enugu State called Nebechi
Uzo, visited Awka as a professional smith. It was also found that blacksmithing in the area has
under gone many changes. Learning is done through apprenticeship method and it is also
transferred from father to children. The result of this study also showed that blacksmithing is
still being practiced but at a reduced rate. Finally, the result of this study showed that the
future of blacksmithing in Awka is under threat as those who are currently in the trade do not
have confidence in it. They are willing to abandon it if they get other opportunities. This
suggests lack of interest on their part. The researcher recommends, among others, that the
government of Anambra state should provide modern tools for blacksmithing in Awka and
make them pay back in terms of tax.