The Talking Drum: An Inquiry into the Reach of a Traditional Mode of Communication

Abstract

The Talking Drum is an important instrument of communication in Traditional African society which serves as the voice of the whole community and it communicates the aggregate of their desires. The Talking Drum is fashioned to enhance grassroots mobilization for developmental needs of the society. This paper undertakes a hermeneutical study of the Talking Drum in Africa. It argues that besides the understanding of the Talking Drum as the instrument of communication, it can be regarded as a living being. Furthermore, the paper discusses the role of the Talking Drum as a personified entity in African society. The paper states that traditional methods of communication must be revived in order to give room for a free flow of information which is indispensable for any development to shrive.

Keywords: Talking Drum and Traditional Communication