The efficacy of iconographic communication in the cessation of activities in the disputed land case in Yakurr Local Government of Cross River State - Nigeria

Abstract

Both verbal and written communication constitutes the basis upon which human societies establish relationships among themselves and proceed to define things in their environment to the level of their understanding. In the process of interaction and communication, conflicts often ensue. The question hence becomes: how are human conflicts, especially when they involve land disputes and related cases, to be resolved? Given the number of taxonomies of traditional communication modes available in the Africa and other societies, and despite the veracities of conflict resolution modes, how potent are these modes when it comes to disputed land cases? These are questions which the current study sets out to answers and has situated its investigation within the iconographic mode of communication. To achieve this objective, the study uses a survey method to gather data from 493 respondents within the study area. The findings of the paper show that iconographic communication modes, particularly the flora, called "Katele kole" in Lokaa, has significance serving advantage as an injunction of positive results on any disputed land case. The flora is a restraining power, which wherever in use, has drastically reduced tensions in land cases, in police stations and in customary courts within the affected communities. The study therefore recommends such a traditional ‘iconographic communication’ method despite the marauding effects of Western influences on Yakurr Culture in Central Senatorial District of Cross River State in Nigeria.

Keywords: Efficacy, Iconographic Communication modes, Conflicts, Yakurr