COMMUNICATIVE VALUES OF SOME SELECTED OBJECTS AMONG THE AWGBU IN ORUMBA NORTH OF ANAMBRA

Abstract

Communication entails acquiring and sharing with either individual or group. There are some communicative objects, which only have meaning as ascribed to them in the society. The mode, form and manner of communication vary from age to age and from culture to culture. Igbo culture is filled with objects of varying significances. It is generally believed among the Igbo that there is an erosion of cultural values since the inception of modern technology and mass media. The study identifies some of the non-verbal means of communication among the Awgbu (in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra, Nigeria). The data for the study were collected through primary and secondary sources. The study employed interview and focus group discussion in the collection of primary data, while the secondary data were collected from some selected published materials: Anyanwu (2005), and Ogbu (2013). The participants for this study were between the ages of 16 and 81 years. The study is anchored on the symbolic interactionism by Blumer (1969) which states that human life is based on symbols which are culturally derived social objects that have meanings which are created and maintained by individuals in the society through social interaction. The study reveals the traditional modes of communication such as ọmụ nkwụ (palm frond), Ụdala (African cherry), Mkpọnana (canon explosive), ogene (gong), and nzu (white chalk) are still in use and very effective in disseminating information among the people with some modifications in some instances. The study recommends the teaching of non-verbal means of communication to younger people not only informally but also in schools for preservation and continuity.

Keywords: Non-verbal communication, symbols, objects, information, interaction, mass media