The Mande blacksmiths: knowledge, power, and art in West Africa

Abstract

Preface Note on Orthography Acknowledgments I. Blacksmiths in Mande Society The Mande Social System The Nyamakala Special Professionals Nyamakala and the Smiths' Ambiguous Status II. The Mande Smiths as Craftsmen Techniques Products Articulation III. Smiths and the Shape of Civilized Space The Principles of Medicine and Sorcery A Hierarchy of Practitioners Rainmaking Divination Doctoring Amulets and Secret Devices Social Instrumentality Circumcision The Relative Roles of Blacksmiths and Hunters IV. The Blacksmiths' Sculpture The Character of Sculpture and the Other Roles of Smiths The Smiths' Iron Art Tamaw: Spear Blades Fitinew: Iron Lamps Negemusow and Negesotigiw: Iron Women and Iron Horse Masters Komokunw: The Power Masks of the Mande Smiths V. The Mande Smiths as Men of Means The Problem of Explanations The Unity of Enterprise The Resolution of Movement The Contradiction of Position The Responsibility of Artists Notes Bibliography Index