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African Communication
Systems
Mac 113
Lecture 6
Miss. Akinuliola oluwakemi
Lecture Overview
Iconographic Channels of
Communication ; Objectified
Devices, Floral, Plants And Crops
Definition of Iconographic Communication
The word iconographic was derived from the word “icons”
which means symbolic image or graphic.
Akpabio (2003), defines iconographic communications as
icons that are generally regarded as standing for or
representing something that transmit messages
They do not uniformly communicate the same message but
are culture-specific as what they communicate is based on
a the society .
Types of Iconographic Communication
1.
Objectified Devices
2.
Floral Devices
Objectified Devices
Examples of objectified Devices are;
1.
Charcoal
2.
White dove
3.
Kola-nut
4.
Cow-tail
5.
Egg
6.
calash
7.
Flag
Floral Devices
Examples of floral devices are;
1.
Young unopened palm fronds
2.
Trees and fruits
Examples of Iconographic
Communication
• When people use pictures as a replacement during a marriage
ceremony
• Marks on trees or grasses and leaves ties in a certain way are
also used to send message . For example, in Isoko place in Delta
state , cutting plantain stem and planting them upside down
signifies the declaration of war by one community to the other.
• In some part of Nigeria, to show that a visitor is welcomed,
drinking water is presented first to the visitor. Among the
Igbos, it is Kolanut that expresses this sentiments.
Examples of Objectified Communication
and their functions
1.
Feathers- they are used for coronation and to identify a titled chief.
• Eagle feather –signify boldness and pride or speak of remarkable
achievements
• Parrot feather – this tells of the wearer’s sense of beauty, and his aesthetics
• Peacock feather – this represents the institution of kingship.
2. Birds- pigeon and dove signify peace , while the owl and vulture are objects
of bad omen.
3. Flags- a red or a combination of white and red or red and black flags by
some Nigerian communities signifies a shrine and/or the presence of a
traditional priest.
Examples of Objectified Communication
and their functions
4. Rainbow –This signifies that no one should visit the stream.
5. Broom- This communicate a quarrel and a settlement
6. Shooting star- This heralds the death of an important individuals
Examples of Flora, Plants and Crop
Communication and their functions
1.
Shrubs- When branches of fresh shrubs are dropped across a path or road
it tells the people to avoid the route and follow alternatives.
2.
Grasses- it is interesting to know that when standing grasses are gathered
and knotted on top, it shows arrival at a desired designation