The Art of Blacksmithing in Uneme: An Overview of Contextual Elements of Some Traditional Iron Artworks

Felix Onoruarome  Ophori

Authors

Felix Onoruarome Ophori Department Of Fine And Applied Arts, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State

Keywords:

Blacksmithing in Uneme, Traditional Iron Artworks, Uneme Socio-Cultural Context, Iconographic Analysis of Ironworks, Uneme Cultural Heritage

Abstract

The art of blacksmithing in Uneme is an artistic genre that has spanned centuries. There is at least a smithy in every family compound and every adult male is considered a blacksmith. These blacksmiths operates in an environment where their ironworks are fulcrum upon which the community’s socio-political, cultural belief system and economic as well as technological wellbeing are anchored. There have been stylistic shift as they interact with different change agents overtime. These stylistic changes have greatly manifested in their final ironworks which solicit contextual analytical engagement. This study therefore took an appraisal of the contextual elements associated with some of the blacksmithing ironworks with a view to highlighting their inherent meaning for better understanding. The formalistic and iconographic art historical methods were employed to articulate the inherent qualities of these metal works. The study showed that the artworks are embedded with socio-cultural icons that are still relevant in contemporary Uneme in particular and Nigerian artistic landscape in general.

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