From Talking Drums to Television Screens: Understanding the Meaning, Forms and Social Power of Mass Media
Long before Nigerians woke up to radio jingles, television news or social media trends, communication was already woven into the fabric of everyday life. Messages travelled without electricity, Wi-Fi or printing presses. They moved through sound, symbols and shared cultural understanding. In many communities, the talking drum was not just an instrument of music; it was a living newspaper. A skilled drummer could announce a king’s decree, warn of danger, celebrate births or mourn deaths, all through rhythmic codes the community understood. In that era, mass communication existed, even though modern technology did not. This early phase of Nigerian mass media was deeply communal. Town criers moved from street to street, delivering messages authorised by traditional rulers. Market squares served as information hubs where news, rumours and decisions circulated freely. Communication was direct, trusted and rooted in shared identity. Although the audience was smaller and localised, the intent...