ABSTRACT
This study is geared towards exploring
the place of traditional mode of communication in the era of modern / new
communication technologies in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra
State. Modern technology has developed our society today through its beneficial
impacts in transmission of information which enhances societal developmental
change both cultural and moral values which Awka South is equally among.
Traditional mode of communication through research shall be viewed as a major
instrument that imbibed modern trend in communication. In other to show case
its aid in community development through information dissemination and
management, the traditional mode has greater in information dissemination in
ensuring effective transmission of cultural values of Awka South into modern
communication. The finding of the study are that various traditional modes of
communication in town which are very important since they tend to unify modern
communication with that of traditional mode. The method adopted in this
research is random sample; systematic sampling was used to enable the three
villages under case study to select at least 250 people needed for this
research work.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Title
page
Certification
…………………………………………………………...……i
Dedication
…………………………………………………………………ii
Acknowledgement
………………………………………………………iii
Abstract…………………………………………………………………….iv
Table
of content ……………………………………………………...……v
CHAPTER ONE
1.1
Introduction
……………………………………………………..….1
1.2
Background of
the study …………………………………….……9
1.3
Statement of the
Problem …………………………………...……10
1.4
Research
Objectives ………………………………………………11
1.5
Research
Questions ………………………………………….……12
1.6
Significance of
Study ……………………………………………12
1.7
Scope of the
Study …………………………………………...……13
1.8
Limitations of
Study ………………………………………...……13
CHAPTER TWO
2.1
Literature
Review ……………………………………...…………15
2.2
Norms and
festivals in the Town………………………...………20
2.3
Traditional Mode
of communication ……………….………….22
2.4
Location and
Historical background of Awka South……….…22
2.5
Traditional system of
Government…………………….………..23
2.6
Modern
Technology ………………………………………………24
CHAPTER THREE
3.1
Research
Methodology ……………………………………...……27
3.2
Population of
Study ………………………………………………27
3.3
Sample Size
…………………………………………………..……27
3.4
Sampling
Technique ……………………………………...………28
3.5
Instrument of
Data Collection …………………………..………28
3.6
Validity of
instrument ……………………………………………28
CHAPTER FOUR
4.1
Data
Presentation, Analysis ………………...……………………29
CHAPTER FIVE
Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations……………..….34
5.1
Summary ………….
………………..……………………………..34
5.2
Conclusions
………………………………………..………………35
5.3
Recommendation
…………………………………………………36
5.4
Recommendations
for further studies ………………………….37
5.5
References …………………………………………………………39
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Introduction
In
this examination of communication and society, it is necessary to have an idea
of what the two basic terms means by way of definition and explanation.
Communication has been defined by the Oxford Advanced Learners’ Dictionary of
current English as the process of imparting thought, knowledge or intelligence
verbal or written form from a source to a receiver. Edward Sapir also
recognized “communication as a fundamental social process”.
Another
definition of communication is that communication is the passing on or
transmission of message with the use of language to heterogeneous audience.
From
the above definitions, it is seen that the two concepts have something in
common; that holds them is the relationship that exist between them.
Communication generally is a fundamental
social process which essentially has to do with any discipline or activity that
is concerned with human society and behavior.
Therefore, it has been identified as
“the basis of human existence, for it is at the heat of all society
intercourse.
In
our day-to-day life, we interact with one another by way of communication. This
society cannot exist without communication for it is the only mechanism through
which human interaction exists.
Living generally also depend on
communication for even our body system cannot function without communication
with one another through contact.
Communication also takes place when an
individual talks to a follow individual, when an idea is made known to a group
and when a concept is disclosed.
There is also a need for communication
among human groups, as this is the Chief factor for creation of unity and
continuity for the society and the vehicle for the conveyance of the culture.
But it does not suffice to say that communication itself can be meaningful and
effective without its association with other thing and other processes.
This is because, communication does not
exist on its own in a vacuum, rather it exist in the society and function among
persons.
It emanates from members of the society
and assumes a social network. Going form one person to another and linking
itself to means of its transmission through a channel, which is the mass media.
This leads to a chain of process. Thus “through communication which exist
between two persons or one person as the source to a group of person, ideas,
needs information is conveyed through the channel. This message is decoded at
the society who is the audience. By way of this life in the communication
process, the channels of communication contributes tremendously to the
propagation of information and the continued existence of the society.
It is pertinent to point out at this
juncture, that every communication or message has its targeted audience to whom
it is directed to. And when such a message gets to the audience an aim has been
achieved. Also, when the audience is able to decode the encoded message as the
effect compliance, another aim which is the ultimate aim is equally achieved in
the face of these, what then is the essence of communication.
The aim of communication is to create
awareness, education or enlightenment and through such awareness created, to
elicit response, compliance, a change of attitude in respect or re-enforce
them.
Traditional
Communication in Igbo
Land
Before
the white man came in Igbo land, the oral communication was the system of
interaction in the area. The town crier performed a very important function by
collecting and spreading very important information among his people, he served
as an intermediary between the heads of the people and report their feelings to
them.
Most of the time, the town criers had to embellish
whatever message they had for the villages with riddles, idioms and proverbs or
may even code the message in order to drive home the news in the light of this,
the town carier were and are very popular among the village-folks, who are
always ready to listen to them so as to be abreast with current news and events
even today. In spite of the numerous electronic, broadcast stations with their
educative and informative program, most villages still enjoy the functions of
the tradition town carriers which are often more effective.
The
main instrument of communication used by the town caries in Igbo land is the
gong and flute. In addition to this there are other instruments used in non-herbal
communication in Igbo land. Among these are the metallic and wooden
instruments, signs and symbols. Wooden gong (Ekwe) metallic gong and xylophone
(ngelegwu) etc are metallic and wooden instrument used for communication while
the palm fruit at its tender stage (omu) is also an instrument of
communication.
The
notes from this communication instrument signs and symbols are interpreted very
well by the people, to whom they are directed. The sounding of the wooden gong
(ekwe) and the valorous gong (ikoro) in the night normally depicts dangers in
Ngwo. This could be that, thieves or armed robbers are around and they are used
to keep everybody at alert.
Much importance is attached by the village folk to
non-verbal means of communication. Achebe attested this in “Things fall Apart”,
when he wrote that …Umohia was still swallowed up in sleep and silence when the
Ekwe began to talk, men stirred on their bamboo beds and listen anxiously.
Equally
writing on the important characteristics the place of traditional mode of
communication, Ugboajah (1979) pointed that “communication in traditional
Nigeria communicates is mainly a matter of human inter.-relationship so to
accept action will effect established relationship that is what said is as
important as who said it.
He
referred to traditional mode of communication as “traditional Media” it is
however to juxtapose the mode in terms of their effectiveness.
There
is no gain saying that fact that the various mass media get to their targeted
audience spontaneously within a twinkle of an eye, reading wider spectrum of
human being of heterogeneous background and in a very sizeable number.
This
ability of mass media to but across ethnic geographic and social background is
really the strength of the mass media over the traditional mode of
communication.
In
other words, the traditional mode of communication is delimited in its scope of
coverage as capable of reaching a wider size of the population at a time unlike
the media which blast everything open to all sundry spontaneously. This delimitation
also affected the traditional mates in the scene that it cannot be used to
heterogeneous audience, consisting of various geographical ethics, social political
and lingual backgrounds.
Despite
the afore-stated differences, the traditional mode of communication could be
ranked the same with the mass media in terms of its places to bring about
desired results expected from the audience. In fact, in some cases where the
mass media fail as a result of some inherent barriers, the traditional mode of
communication is applied and the expected result is obtained. It is therefore
logical to assert the traditional mode despite it shortcomings as mentioned
above, are very effective as a means of communication. This assertion finds
support in the facts of the ultimate in communication is the creation of
awareness, to reinforce erode existing response (which the traditional mode do)
they are therefore very effective on the other hand, if the traditional mode
can be effective, where the mass media fails it follow that the traditional
mode of communication are complementing or supplementing to mass media
effective role.
However
viewed from another perspective, the most communication that made use of the
traditional mode are never intended to be so wide or limited in it scope, its
targeted audience.
By
their nature, traditional modes are often used within and about confined
geographical location like a town or district. It therefore follows that
message come through traditional mode of communication are intentionally
traditional mode to be two persuasive and wide in scope, it became improper to
fault it own that score or carry a comparative analysis on it in the same premises
of coverage with mass media.
1.2 Background of the Study
In any given society that is developed,
there must be a mode of communication in which they interact with each other
example internet service, mobile phone, radio, television, email etc.
The
traditional mode of communication in Awka South play a positive role in
communication they are:
The
town carriers and other signs and symbols, town carriers performs a very
important function by collecting and spreading information among his people.
He
serves as an intermediary between the heads of the communities and the
villagers. This is because he conveyed the message of the community’s head to
the people and reported their feeling to them. The main instrument of
communication used by the town carrier in Awka South is the gong and flute.
Other
signs and symbols are wooden gong, metallic gong, xylophone are metallic and
wooden instruments of communication while the palm frond at its tender stage is
also an instrument of communication.
The
sounding of wooden gong and the various gong in the night normally depicts
danger.
1.3 Statement of the Problem
The
issue that inspired or motivated the researcher to carry out this study is to
understand the place of traditional mode of communication in the era of modem /
new communication technology in Awka South.
To
know the benefits of communication also the traditional modes of communication
in Awka South.
The
second issue of the problem is to know whether modern communication has been
able to influence the people of Awka South than traditional mode of
communication. To also know if the people of Awka South prefer traditional mode
of communication to modern communication.
1.4 Research Objectives
Generally, this research work is focused
on traditional mode of communication
and its aimed at examining its place in modern communication era at Awka South.
This work intends to find out the followings.
1. The
relevance of traditional mode of communication.
2. To find out whether Awka South people
still make use of this traditional mode of communication.
3. To find out if the people of Awka South
are abreast with modern communication technology.
4. To find out the extent at which the
traditional modern of communication has effectively help in mobilizing the
people into action.
1.5 Research
Questions
1. Is there any relevance of traditional
mode of communication?
2. Do people of Awka South still make use of
this traditional mode of communication?
3. Are people of Awka South abreast with
modern communication technology?
4. Is the traditional mode of communication
effective in mobilizing the people?
1.6 Significance
of the Study
The study has the following significance
1. The traditional mode of communication
help to transform the people’s way of life that is their custom and culture
this extends to non-Awka South people.
2. To enlighten the people of Awka South to
know the benefits of traditional mode of communication.
3. To promote and elevate the traditional
mode of communication as well as its relevance to people residing in rural
communities like Nibo.
1.7 Scope
of Study
The scope of this study is delimitated
to the place of traditional mode of communication in the era of modern / new
communication technology in Awka South
1.8 Limitations of the Study
Throughout the research of this study
the author encountered many difficulties in other to make this research a
credible one.
Also,
time factor was another challenges but be it as it may, the researcher took
time to go into many places in the community to get the real fact in other to
make this study a credible one as well.
In
line was financial constraints this occurred during the time of gathering
information for this project, also, it extended to the typing printing and
binding but by God’s grace all these challenges were surmounted and the work
was successfully produced to the best.
Operational Definition
of Terms
The under listed assertion signifies the general
ideas on experimentation of this study general ideas on experimentation of the
study.
1. Traditional: The native belief and way
of doing things according to ancestors.
2. Mode:
The process through which information is conveyed
3. communication:
The interactive transmission of a message from the source to the targeted
audience.
4 Culture: The general belief or moral
principle and laws of a native area.
5 Traditional
Mode of Communication:- These various channel through which native or Africa institution or way of life is being transmitted.
6 Modern
/ New Communication Technologies: The new medium through which information
is disseminated in a easier and faster channel.
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