ABSTRACT
This work examines the non-verbal communication Igbo culture. This study however intends to investigate how non-verbal communication transmits ideas, feelings, emotions and thoughts as well as symbols and gestures. Data for this research were collected through various means which includes interactions with traditional rulers, a one on one interview with natives of the Igbo society. To achieve the aim of this study, the researcher used the tenets of the Semiotic theory as the theoretical approach, and also the use of journals, publications, and scholarly articles. From the study, it is revealed that silence and other non-verbal mediums is predominately used to show a great deal of respect, honour, superiority, anger, disappointment, disagreement, mourning, and neutrality in Igbo land, silence can also be deployed as a tool of gossip between pair groups, items like the kolanut, garden egg, native gun, drums and broom stick are all symbolic items used in traditional events. The researcher however recommends that more research be carried out on the various communication processes and mediums in Igbo land, aspects of symbolism in Igbo traditional occasions. In any society, information dissemination and sharing is one of the basic elements of survival, development and social integration. Societies have attained different levels of sophistication in their various information sharing techniques depending on their levels of advancement. Therefore, this paper appraises the traditional non-verbal modes of communication in Igboland as a vital means of information exchange and a rudimentary requirement of the Igbo society. Through the survey research methodology, the paper x-rays Igbo traditional non-verbal modes of communication, viz. instrumental, animal and iconographic and visual mode, bearing in mind the sociolinguistic landscape of linguistics and communicative competence. The results of the finding of the paper from the data analysis show that even though Igbo traditional non-verbal modes are still in use, they are seriously competing with external influences as epitomized by the cultural forces of transnational corporations. The paper recommends that interest in traditional channels of communication, be properly nurtured and preserved to re-awaken the self consciousness of the Igbo people and promote unity, social integration and development among them.
