Traditional Information Communication Practices of the Annang People of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Information plays an important and significant role in every society. Prior to modern civilization, there had been in existence clear-cut systems and processes of communication among people of various ethno-cultural background different from the technology-based, sophisticated forms provided by modern media. The experience of Ikot Ekpene people has not been different. This study therefore investigated the traditional information communication practices of the Annang people of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design using questionnaire as instrument for data collection. A cluster sample of 180 respondents from twelve villages were involved in the study. Findings show that there exists a basic, informal, social communication process which is intimately related to the general social processes of the people. It depends on and derives from the oratory tradition of the people, hence its oral-based mode of content generation and dissemination through speech, songs and miming, as well as the use of instruments. It is still being deployed, propagated and preserved through speech, performance, exemplification, and in the traditional institutions of the people. It is presently facing threats of extinction from modernization, predominance of modern media of communication, western education and Christianity. It is here recommended that these indigenous modes of communication of the people be given prominence during local events and functions.