Preservation and Enculturation of the Metal Smithing Industry in Ghana: The Case of Traditional Brass Casting in ‘Krofrom' Village

Abstract

Globalization and competition with modern industrial products is the basic and fundamental setback for the viability, sustainability and preservation of local cultural heritage of traditional arts in most part of the world. However, in the Krofrom village of the Ashanti region, this is the opposite because the traditional brass casting industry is still maintained and developed from generation to generation. This study examined the adaptation strategies in the preservation and sustainability of the Krofrom village traditional brass casting technology.    

The theoretical and qualitative research methods were used for the study. The results showed that the industry is family based and male dominating. The artisans are aged between 16-68 years with the majority (64%) in the 25-45 age range. The basic tools of the artisans include weighing scale, mortar and pestle, sieve, spatula, plastic containers and a heat source. They use local materials such as bee wax, clay, charcoal, palm fibres and cow dung, which are all obtained from the locality. The artefacts produced are visually aesthetic, unique and simple portraying values of their life orientation, and the cultural belief of the people. The products are mainly purchased by middle men and tourists from the diaspora who visit the village. The enculturation process in the family of artisans is naturally created through informal education or apprenticeship system. The artisans derive maximum satisfaction from the trade and revenue that accrue are functionally able to meet their economic, social, and cultural needs. This has contributed to the cultural mechanism that has sustained and preserved the industry through the generations.