Final answer:
Iron refining and forging in West Africa had existed since ancient times and was not introduced by outside traders. The proliferation of ironworking skills predates both Islamic and European influence, likely spreading through indigenous movements such as the Bantu migrations. By the time external traders arrived, West African societies were already proficient in metalworking and had established trade systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Iron Refining and Forging in West Africa
Iron refining and forging had existed in West Africa since ancient times. Even though the Islamic military conquests significantly influenced the spread of Islamic culture and trade throughout North Africa and into West Africa, the technology of ironworking in sub-Saharan Africa was not a direct result of Islamic influence. Instead, the dissemination of ironworking throughout sub-Saharan Africa is likely credited to the migrations and interactions of different African societies, such as the Bantu migrations, who spread the technology as they moved throughout the continent. This diffusion of ironworking technology predates extensive European contact and even the rise of major Islamic empires in the region.
By the time Muslim and European traders reached West Africa, they encountered well-established societies with expertise in various crafts, including ironworking. The Mali Empire, for instance, already had a system that included guilds of craftsmen with monopolies on complex techniques, such as the smelting of metals. The expertise in such crafts was crucial for Mali to create a powerful and prosperous empire that thrived on the trans-Saharan trade, particularly in commodities like gold and salt. Therefore, the knowledge and skills associated with iron forging were ingrained within West African societies long before the arrival of traders from other continents.