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Beaten down, tempered by adversity

Blacksmiths bemoan their dwindling trade

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Blacksmiths lament that they find it difficult to keep their ancient industry alive.

Pix and text by Gamini Mahadura

They complain that people are more into buying imported knives and metal equipment, as well as going to iron welding shops to repair their broken equipment.

They point out that as the country developed the requirements for their services have reduced.

In earlier times, traditional smiths were involved in making knives, machetes, axes, mammoty blades, gardening scissors, and swords, but they now have been forced to compete with imported metal equipment. Apart from that, they were involved in the customised shoeing of cattle as well as fixing them on the hooves of the animal. But as a result of the use of agricultural vehicles the need for cattle have reduced causing the traditional blacksmiths to run out of business.

The blacksmiths also highlighted the lack of material used in forging knives. They now obtain metal from used metal recycle places and durable steel which are used in vehicle suspension.

“We cannot use suspension metal from lager vehicles such as containers. There are equipment in the market which are ideal for forging thick metal bars. The government should help us to get suitable metal” blacksmith K L A Sarath said.

They say they can make use of broken suspension equipment from the railway department, pointing out that they are in need of a loan system or financial support from the government.

Faced with these issues many blacksmiths have resorted to shutting down their shops, while their children too are keeping away from the traditional occupation.