An interesting subject - blacksmiths in African societies often kept themselves separate from the other tribal members, and could be feared on account of their supposed ability to perform magic, particularly if they actually smelted the metal themselves from local iron ore. Various religious rites could be involved in the process.
Most of the classic African ethnographic studies include details on this subject. Any particular area/tribe you are looking at ? A good starting point could be Christopher Spring's book on African weapons (British Museum).
Regards.
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