ferro-tannics

Ingredients

slag, iron, acacia pods, ndolla (water in which scrap iron or slag is soaked)

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

Traditional Hausa names for these inks include tsumbe or yambari, made from slag, iron, and acacia pods (p. 5). Ndolla, the liquid component, is water in which scrap iron or slag is soaked (p. 5). Replicative experiments demonstrated the ability of tannins and mordants to affect ink color (p. 5).

Evidence

"Other inks corrode the paper substrate, presumably ferro-tannic... some brown inks exhibited characteristics of a dye but some tested positive for iron with potassium ferrocyanide."

Remarks

This ink type is noted for its corrosive effect on the European paper substrate commonly used in the region (p. 3). It represents a distinct technological modification using local mineral and botanical resources (p. 8).