scholarly journals MYTHS, RITUALS AND RESTRICTIONS OF THE AFRICAN IRON INDUSTRY IN THE 18th CENTURY: THE CASE OF TAAVISA IN NSO’ GRASSFIELDS OF CAMEROON

The peculiarity of the African iron industry is its cultural dimension; where in, symbolism was evident in virtually all the stages of the production chain. With the use of archival, secondary and oral sources, this paper investigated the Taavisa slag heap which revealed that smelting residue was cleared to create space for a royal cemetery and a hut constructed over the grave of Fon (king) Sanggu of Nso’ around 1750. Sanggu was probably the seventeenth Sovereign of the Nso’ Dynasty at Kovifem, who died while in refuge on the peripheries of his kingdom, subjected to Chamba and later Fulani raids. Taavisa was a retreat spot in several situations and developed into a rest palace for reigning Fons of Nso’. Given its strategic location, smelting, pre-forging and sanctity which emanated from iron works, this old iron working site became a place of honour and thus mutated into a shrine. Thus, multidimensional values attached to Taavisa account for Nso’ seizure of the area and subsequent expansion towards its southern boarder Fondoms (Kingdoms). A new element therefore adds to symbolisms attached to the African iron industry that is: a smelting site turned into a royal cemetery.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-152
Author(s):  
Nasha Rodziadi Khaw ◽  
Liang Jun Gooi ◽  
Mohd Mokhtar Saidin ◽  
Naizatul Akma Mohd Mokhtar ◽  
Mohd Hasfarisham Abd Halim

This article proposes new historical perspectives arising from the findings in the Sungai Batu Archaeological Complex, Kedah, by the Centre for Global Archaeological Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2009. Excavations in the complex unearthed the remains of iron smelting sites, wharves and other brick structures, dating back to the 2nd/3rd century AD. The discoveries of furnaces, tuyeres and iron slag attest to Sungai Batu’s role as the centre for primary iron production, employing the bloomery method. The study suggests that Ancient Kedah appeared as one of the hubs for the trans-Asiatic trade network with the rise of the iron industry, while its economic complexity grew steadily in successive centuries. The early emergence of Ancient Kedah was a development synchronous with the later phase of the Indian-Southeast Asian exchange network between the 2nd to the 4th century AD when inter and intra-regional trade intensified. Due to its favourable geological features, strategic location with a suitable ecozone, as well as being a thriving centre for primary iron production, Ancient Kedah emerged as an important harbour. It was this trading and industrial past, the article will argue, that contributed to the rise of other economic hubs within Ancient Kedah, such as Pengkalan Bujang and Kampung Sungai Mas, which eventually developed into entrepôts after the 5th century AD.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanto Zuhdi

This paper discusses the dynamics of sea voyage and trade formed in the network of Southeast Sulawesi waters in the 17th and 18th century. Buton was chosen as a port that played the role in that network. Southeast Sulawesi as the concept of region will be positioned in the eastern and southern part of Sulawesi network, and other parts of the Nation. In addition to the strategic location connecting Makassar to North Maluku and Central Maluku, also spices as the commodities transported through this line, Buton has its own trade commodities, such as slaves, and iron tools (knives, machetes). Although it is not in large in numbers, cloves from Buton were also the target of VOC. As a collecting center port, Buton plays a role in the network of "feeder point" ports such as Raha and Tukangbesi Islands (now Wakatobi), with the entrepot, Makassar. The changes after Makassar fell into VOC’s hands has made Buton contributing more as a supplier. Although Buton was an ally of VOC, marked by a contract signed in 1613, but in some respects there was resistance, both openly as Buton War in 1755 and rebel against the ban on growing cloves (extirpation) and illegal trade (sluijkhandel). Literature review and tracking down of primary sources in the form of archives and oral tradition are important steps for further study.


Author(s):  
Jared Grantham ◽  
Larry Welling

In the course of urine formation in mammalian kidneys over 90% of the glomerular filtrate moves from the tubular lumen into the peritubular capillaries by both active and passive transport mechanisms. In all of the morphologically distinct segments of the renal tubule, e.g. proximal tubule, loop of Henle and distal nephron, the tubular absorbate passes through a basement membrane which rests against the basilar surface of the epithelial cells. The basement membrane is in a strategic location to affect the geometry of the tubules and to influence the movement of tubular absorbate into the renal interstitium. In the present studies we have determined directly some of the mechanical and permeability characteristics of tubular basement membranes.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 13-21
Author(s):  
Sh M Khapizov ◽  
M G Shekhmagomedov

The article is devoted to the study of inscriptions on the gravestones of Haji Ibrahim al-Uradi, his father, brothers and other relatives. The information revealed during the translation of these inscriptions allows one to date important events from the history of Highland Dagestan. Also we can reconsider the look at some important events from the past of Hidatl. Epitaphs are interesting in and of themselves, as historical and cultural monuments that needed to be studied and attributed. Research of epigraphy data monuments clarifies periodization medieval epitaphs mountain Dagestan using record templates and features of the Arabic script. We see the study of medieval epigraphy as one of the important tasks of contemporary Caucasian studies facing Dagestani researchers. Given the relatively weak illumination of the picture of events of that period in historical sources, comprehensive work in this direction can fill gaps in our knowledge of the medieval history of Dagestan. In addition, these epigraphs are of great importance for researchers of onomastics, linguistics, the history of culture and religion of Dagestan. The authors managed to clarify the date of death of Ibrahim-Haji al-Uradi, as well as his two sons. These data, the attraction of written sources and legends allowed the reconstruction of the events of the second half of the 18th century. For example, because of the epidemic of plague and the death of most of the population of Hidatl, this society noticeably weakened and could no longer maintain its influence on Akhvakh. The attraction of memorable records allowed us to specify the dates of the Ibrahim-Haji pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, as well as the route through which he traveled to these cities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-61
Author(s):  
Vinky Rahman ◽  
Muhammad Khairy Humaizy

The theater usually has an attractive form to attract the attention of visitors and also has good sound control in the auditorium so as not to cause sound distortion. Performances in Medan are still inadequate to accommodate international performances. Particularly in Medan, the enthusiasm of the community towards art tends to be high, but the facilities of the place lack to accommodate performances. Data collection methods are carried out by collecting primary data through a process of field comparative study and secondary data through literature studies & comparative studies. The design approach used in design studies are analyzing the physical, conditions around the site, potential, the limits that exist on the site, Site and environmental approaches are analysis of site conditions and the best solutions, the user approach is building analysis to meet the need for facilities and quality in accommodating the show, literature studies related to titles and themes and theories that support design ideas. The Metaphor is chosen as a truss design theme to convey the shape of building design by combining metaphorical forms of buildings and the prominence of the same metaphorical theme in the building to those who visit and see buildings to prevent sound distortions by using porous materials. Medan is a big city in Indonesia as a design area with consideration of a strategic location. It is expected that with the presence of this performance center, domestic and foreign tourists and especially Medan people themselves can enjoy the comfort and get to know traditional music and dance in Indonesia.


1984 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
S P Carter ◽  
D Haigh ◽  
N R J Neil ◽  
Beverley Smith

Summary Excavations at Howe revealed a complex series of settlements which spanned the whole of the Iron Age period and were preceded by two phases of Neolithic activity. A probable stalled cairn was succeeded by a Maes Howe type chambered tomb which was later followed by enclosed settlements of which only scant remains survived. These settlements were replaced by a roundhouse with earth-house, built into the ruins of the chambered tomb. The roundhouse was surrounded by a contemporary defended settlement. Rebuilding led to the development of a broch structure and village. Partial collapse of tower brought about changes in the settlement, andalthougk some houses were maintained as domestic structures, others were rebuilt as iron-working sheds. The construction of smaller buildings and a later Iron Age or Pictish extended farmstead into rubble collapse accompanied a decline in the size of the settlement. The abandonment of the farmstead marked the end of Howe as a settlement site.


Author(s):  
M. McNEIL

Erasmus Darwin was the focus and embodiment of provincial England in his day. Renowned as a physician, he spent much of his life at Lichfield. He instigated the founding of the Lichfield Botanic Society, which provided the first English translation of the works of Linnaeus, and established a botanic garden; the Lunar Society of Birmingham; the Derby Philosophical Society; and two provincial libraries. A list of Darwin's correspondents and associates reads like a "who's who" of eighteenth century science, industry, medicine and philosophy. His poetry was also well received by his contemporaries and he expounded the evolutionary principles of life. Darwin can be seen as an English equivalent of Lamarck, being a philosopher of nature and human society. His ideas have been linked to a multitude of movements, including the nosological movement in Western medicine, nineteenth century utilitarianism, Romanticism in both Britain and Germany, and associationist psychology. The relationships between various aspects of Darwin's interests and the organizational principles of his writings were examined. His poetical form and medical theory were not peripheral to his study of nature but intrinsically linked in providing his contemporaries with a panorama of nature. A richer, more integrated comprehension of Erasmus Darwin as one of the most significant and representative personalities of his era was presented.


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