Forged in Struggle: The Unyielding Passion of Blacksmiths and Potters in a World of Unrewarding Labor
Indigenous People of Nyaurambi Site Struggle to Make Ends Meet
The indigenous people of Nyaurambi site in Cankuzo commune and province are facing significant challenges in their traditional professions of blacksmithing and pottery. The lack of iron waste and the population’s decreasing interest in clay objects have made it difficult for them to earn a living.
Indigenous people of Nyaurambi site struggle to make a living from blacksmithing and pottery.
Blacksmithing: A Tiring Job with Little Income
According to François Nzisabira, a blacksmith from the Nyaurambi site, blacksmithing is a very tiring job that requires a lot of strength. However, the income from this job is not enough to make ends meet. The blacksmith profession is currently facing a problem of iron deficiency, as the waste containing this metal is being exported abroad.
“Since there are a large number of people who are involved in the collection of metal waste and export it to Uganda, Tanzania or the DRC, our business has gone bankrupt,” Nzisabira laments. He notes that it is difficult for them to find axes, braziers, knives, bike stands, and other essential instruments that they can take to the market to earn a living.
Pottery: A Hard Job with Little Profit
When it comes to pottery, Nzisabira notes that with the development and introduction of modern iron pots, people are no longer interested in clay pots. “It is a hard job but not very profitable,” he explains. Léa Ndereyimana, a potter and mother of 8 children, agrees with Nzisabira. “We only earn enough to buy sweet potatoes to satisfy our children’s cravings,” she says.
The Batwa Demand Arable Land
The indigenous people of Nyaurambi site are demanding arable land to replace their disappearing professions. Nzisabira notes that they live in a small plot of land that is not enough to generate income. ”It is a space to contain only a house and toilet,” he says. He recalls the slogan of the Burundian Head of State: “Let every mouth have something to eat and every pocket have money.” He believes that if they owned cultivable land, they would be able to earn a living like other Burundians.
Adelin Masengo, the site manager, states that this question was addressed to the administrative authorities but had not been answered. The chief of staff of the Cankuzo state governor, Pierre Claver Nakumigomo, notes that it is the responsibility of the Ministry of National Unity to give arable land to the Batwa community.