Indigenous Communication in Africa: Concept, Applications and Prospects

The subject of indigenous forms of communication may not seem that significant in an age of complex, fast and sophisticated technologically mediated communication systems. To those who have experienced their nature and the purposes they serve, however, the indigenous modes are still useful and invaluable communication assets in the societies within which they exist. This book, which is a compendium of various perspectives on indigenous socio cultural characteristics and how they impact on communication processes, is the result of the combined effort of scholars with research and applied experiences with the African cultural milieu. They document the structures and processes of the indigenous African communication modes against various theoretical backgrounds. AlI the authors have firsthand experience with the situations about which they write as researchers, instructors, students, or field workers. The research is mostly original, using primary sources and material. The differences are in the disciplinary approaches and methodology. This is another strength of the book because it affords the leader the variety that the holistic organizational structures of societies across the continent are characterized by. Primarily, the material was assembled for reference purposes, to aid scholarly investigations into the phenomenon, and to provide basic information and bibliographical references which collectively serve as a launching pad for the individual who seeks detailed knowledge beyond what the book provides. The ultimate objective is that the book will generate enough curiosity to stimulate further study and research into the issues raised in pursuit of seeking bridges between the indigenous modes and contemporary technological developments in the interest of effective communication. Its theoretical focus is eclectic. The leader is thus exposed to more than one viewpoint on the issue. This is an opportunity for those seeking critical interpretations of social action as pertains to communication in a variety of African socio-cultural situations.