Of even greater importance are the smiths who are also under the care of
a powerful spirit for whom the _Gomek-gomanan_ ceremony is celebrated
each year, just prior to the planting time. Their forges are hidden away
in the hemp fields, and I was repeatedly informed that no woman might
see the smith at work. Whether or no such a rule is rigidly enforced at
all times I cannot say, but at no time did I see a woman about the forge
while the fire was burning, and although I was allowed to see and
photograph the process, my wife was at all times prevented from doing
so. The forge differs in no material respects from that used by the
brass casters, except that hollowed out logs replace the bamboo tubes,
and that a metal anvil and iron hammers are used. After an iron knife or
spear head has been roughly shaped, the smith splits the edge to a
slight depth and inserts a band of steel. The iron is pounded down on
the harder metal and the whole is brought to a white heat in the
charcoal fire. Removing it to the anvil the smith gives the blade one or
two light blows and returns it to the fire. This is repeated many times
before he begins to add the heavy strokes which finally weld the iron
and steel together. The blade having been given its final shape is again
heated and is held above a tube of water until the glowing metal begins
to turn a yellowish green, when it is plunged into the cold water. This
process, repeated many times, gives a fair temper to the whole weapon.
Charcoal for the fire is secured by burning logs and chilling them
suddenly with cold water.

Brass wire, secured in trade, is made into bracelets in the following
manner. In order to soften it and make it more easily worked the roll of
wire is heated until it begins to turn grey, when it is allowed to cool
and is scraped, so as to restore the yellow color. One end is laid on an
anvil made of an iron strip on a wooden block (Plate XXVII), and is cut