Uses of Semiotics in Periods of Hostilities, Armed Conflicts and Peace Building among the Yoruba, South-West Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the uses of semiotics during situations of hostilities, armed conflicts and in the peace building processes among the pre-literate Yoruba (of South-West Nigeria). This is an ethnographic study that relies on secondary (historical) documents and participant observation. Semiotics is a communicative device in advertising and promotional efforts. Citing concrete historical instances, this paper shows the use of town criers,  symbols, signals, signs, real objects, colour schemes, coded messages, itinerant musical entertainment, the use of drums, fire/smoke, indigenous proverbs, religious emblems, gift-giving and inter-ethnic marriages as semiotics devices for advertising war and promoting peace among the Yoruba. The paper discusses uses of semiotics in periods of hostilities and declaration of war and as a tool for peace building and concludes with appropriate recommendations on the relevance of semiotics in the reduction of armed conflicts and the promotion of peace in contemporary sub-Saharan African societies.

Key Words: Advertising; armed conflicts; indigenous communication; peacebuilding; promotions; semiotics.