Ouagadougou: As part of the Day of Customs and Traditions, the Living Human Treasure (LHT), known as KPG, invites visitors to explore ancestral knowledge at the National Museum. This event will feature the construction of traditional iron-smelting furnaces, showcasing techniques dating back to 2800 BC. From May 14 to 15, 2026, KPG will demonstrate the lighting of the furnaces, mastery of fire, and the "birthing of iron," offering a unique glimpse into ancient scientific processes.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Dr. Lassina Simpor©, a lecturer in African archaeology, will deliver a lecture during the event. Dr. Simpor© highlights research revealing that the oldest metallurgical site in Burkina Faso dates back to the 8th century BC, indicating the longstanding presence and expertise in iron extraction by local populations. He notes that this history spans nearly 3,000 years, benefiting the Burkinab¨ people.

Dr. Simpor© remarked that if iron reduction had continued, there would be no barrier today to producing steel for various societal needs. Meanwhile, S¡n¡ba Bounda, known as KPG, stated that the Ministry of Culture intended for Cultural Heritage Month to spark discussions through demonstrations of ancestral knowledge. The creation of furnaces, standing 3 to 4 meters high, will serve as a lasting museum piece symbolizing African sciences, particularly iron reduction.

KPG emphasized the cultural significance of the event, inviting the public to immerse themselves in the roots of their heritage through rituals of protection and blessing by the blacksmiths. The traditional iron reduction process, he explained, involved selecting specific trees to produce charcoal, designing a furnace to hold the ore and withstand the necessary heat, and processing the resultant iron bloom at a forge.

Source: Burkina Information Agency