Chapters: The concept of communication African communication systems and reasons for studying African communication systems -- African communication systems and mass communication compared -- Classification of the traditional channels of communication in Africa -- Verbal and non-verbal communication : introduction -- Verbal and Non-verbal communication compared -- Overview of visual channels of communication and pigmentation /colours as a group of visual channels -- Appearance: physical look and costume / facial marks and tattoos / records -- Iconographic channels of communication: objectified devices, florals, plants and crops -- The concept of instrumental communication -- Idiophones -- Membraneophones -- Membraneophones in south-west Nigeria -- Aerophones -- The concept of demonstrative communication -- Music -- Dance and song -- Poetry, charts and incantations -- Signals, signs and symbolography.

This book African communication systems, discussing modes and forms of communication across West, East and Southern Africa and comparing them with traditional and new media.