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[Commlist] Call for Book Chapters: Reimagining African Communication for Development and Social Change
Mon Oct 19 19:13:31 GMT 2026
*Call for Book Chapters
NB: No APC will be charged to contributors*
*Reimagining African Communication for Development and Social Change:
African Epistemologies, Indigenous Communication Systems, and the
African Voice. *
**
*Editors: *
Dr Saizi Kimu, Head of Language and Communication Studies Department,
Malawi University of Science and Technology, Malawi; Research Affiliate,
Indigenous Language Media in Africa Research Focus Area, North-West
University, South Africa.
Dr Tshepang Molale, Head of the Media Studies Department, University of
the Witwatersrand, South Africa; Research Associate, Indigenous Language
Media in Africa Research Focus Area, North-West University, South Africa.
Prof Abiodun Salawu: Director, Indigenous Language Media in Africa
Research Focus Area, North-West University, South Africa.**
**
*1.**Aim of the Book*
The book aims to provide a critical and interdisciplinary examination of
how indigenous communication systems can reshape the theory and practice
of development communication in Africa. It seeks to challenge dominant
assumptions about what constitutes legitimate communication for
development, and to foreground African epistemologies, voices,
experiences, and communicative traditions in the production of
development knowledge.
**
*2.**Background and Rationale*
Development communication in Africa has historically been influenced by
theoretical frameworks, models, and practices originating largely from
the Global North (Chavinda et al., 2026). While these approaches have
contributed significantly to scholarship and practice, they have also
been criticised for privileging Western epistemologies and communication
paradigms while giving insufficient attention to Africa’s diverse
indigenous knowledge systems, cultural institutions, languages, values,
and communicative practices (Boafo, 2006; Chavinda et al., 2026; Salawu,
2004, 2015).
Across the continent, African communities have long developed rich,
sophisticated and diverse indigenous communication systems that predate
modern mass media and development communication interventions (Chavinda
et al., 2026; Manyozo, 2012; Ugboajah, 1972). These includes oral
traditions, storytelling, proverbs, songs, dances, praise poetry,
indigenous theatre, rituals, ceremonies, community meetings, traditional
leadership structures, symbols, folklore, indigenous media, and other
forms of collective knowledge exchange (Abdulai et al., 2023; Adjaye,
2008). These systems have historically facilitated socialisation,
education, conflict resolution, community mobilisation, cultural
preservation, accountability, and collective decision-making.
Ansu-Kyeremeh (2005)demonstrates the breadth of these systems and their
continuing relevance to human development in Africa.
Indigenous communication systems are not simply alternative channels for
transmitting development messages. They constitute systems through which
communities produce, validate, preserve, transmit and negotiate
knowledge. They also facilitate socialisation, community mobilisation,
conflict resolution, cultural continuity, social control, collective
decision-making and intergenerational learning. The importance of
culture in development communication cannot be overemphasised (Malan,
1998; Manyozo, 2012)For instance, Manyozo (2018)argues that indigenous
knowledge communication systems remain important to social and economic
relations in the Global South and calls for communication scholarship to
pay greater attention to orality, context and indigenous systems of
meaning rather than locating them outside modernity. Nonetheless,
indigenous communication systems remain relatively marginal within
mainstream development communication scholarship and practice (Chari,
2016; Meribe, 2014). Contemporary development interventions frequently
rely on externally designed communication strategies that may not
adequately reflect beneficiaries’ worldviews, cultural values, or
community structures.
This book therefore seeks to critically and creatively reimagine
development communication in Africa by placing indigenous communication
systems at the centre of theoretical reflection and practical inquiry.
It invites scholars, practitioners, policymakers, cultural custodians,
and researchers to explore how indigenous communication systems can
contribute to more inclusive, culturally grounded, participatory,
sustainable, and transformative approaches to development communication.
The book recognises indigenous communication not simply as a collection
of traditional communication techniques, but as knowledge systems
embedded within African philosophies, social relations, cultural
practices, institutions, and ways of understanding development.
Furthermore, indigenous communication systems are also embedded in
particular African understandings of community, personhood, knowledge,
authority, relationships, spirituality, morality, collective
responsibility, reciprocity, and social transformation. Consequently,
theories such as Ubuntu, Afrocentricity, African communalism, Ujamaa,
Negritude, African feminism, indigenous knowledge systems, and other
African philosophical and theoretical traditions may provide alternative
conceptual lenses through which the role and significance of indigenous
communication can be understood. We are therefore particularly
encouraging scholarship that moves beyond romanticising or merely
documenting indigenous practices towards critically examining their
contemporary relevance, limitations, adaptation, hybridisation, and
potential contribution to development communication scholarship and praxis.
*3.**Objectives*
The book will seek to:
1. Examine the historical and contemporary relationship between
indigenous communication systems and development in Africa.
2. Reassess dominant Western development communication theories and
models from African epistemological perspectives.
3. Document and analyse indigenous communication practices that
continue to shape community development.
4. Explore the role of African languages, oral traditions, cultural
institutions, and indigenous knowledge in development communication.
5. Investigate how indigenous communication systems can enhance
participation, inclusion, social mobilisation, and community
ownership of development initiatives.
6. Examine the possibilities and challenges of integrating indigenous
and digital communication systems in development initiatives.
7. Explore how indigenous communication can contribute to decolonising
development communication scholarship and practice.
8. Generate theoretically informed and practically relevant approaches
for reimagining development communication in contemporary Africa.
*4.**Key Questions*
The book will be guided by questions such as:
* What can contemporary development communication learn from Africa’s
indigenous communication systems?
* How have indigenous communication practices historically contributed
to community development and social transformation?
* In what ways can African epistemologies challenge dominant
assumptions within development communication?
* How can indigenous languages and communication practices strengthen
development interventions?
* What role can traditional institutions and cultural custodians play
in contemporary development communication?
* How can indigenous communication systems be integrated with
contemporary and digital media without undermining their cultural
meanings and functions?
* Can indigenous communication provide alternative models of
participation, dialogue, accountability, and community empowerment?
* What are the ethical, political, cultural, and methodological
implications of appropriating or institutionalising indigenous
communication practices?
* How can development communication be decolonised through the
recognition and revitalisation of indigenous knowledge and
communication systems?
*5.**Suggested Themes and Areas for Chapters*
Contributors are invited to submit original chapters addressing, but not
limited to, the following themes:
*Theme 1: Reimagining Development Communication through African
Epistemologies*
* Decolonising development communication theory and practice
* African philosophies and alternative understandings of development
* Ubuntu and communicative approaches to development
* Indigenous epistemologies and knowledge production
* Rethinking participation and dialogue from African perspectives
* African-centred theories of communication for social change
*Theme 2: Indigenous Communication Systems and Community Development*
* Oral traditions and community development
* Storytelling as a tool for development communication
* Proverbs, folklore and indigenous wisdom in development
* Songs, dance and music as communication for development
* Indigenous theatre and performance
* Praise poetry and public communication
* Community gatherings, councils and traditional forums
* Indigenous systems of information dissemination
*Theme 3: Traditional Institutions and Communication for Development*
* Traditional leaders and community communication
* Elders and intergenerational knowledge transmission
* Indigenous governance and participatory communication
* Traditional institutions and social mobilisation
* Indigenous approaches to conflict resolution and peacebuilding
* Community-based accountability and collective decision-making
*Theme 4: Indigenous Communication, Health and Wellbeing*
* Indigenous communication in public health
* Traditional knowledge and health communication
* Indigenous responses to health crises and pandemics
* Indigenous communication systems for maternal and child health
* Indigenous communication and mental/social wellbeing
* Cultural beliefs, health information and community engagement
*Theme 5: Indigenous Communication and Environmental Sustainability*
* Indigenous ecological knowledge and environmental communication
* Climate change communication from African indigenous communication
perspectives
* Indigenous communication approaches to natural resource management
* Community communication and sustainable livelihoods
*Theme 6: Gender, Youth and Indigenous Communication*
* Women’s voices and indigenous communication systems
* Gender and access to indigenous communication spaces
* Indigenous communication and youth empowerment
* Intergenerational communication and knowledge transfer
* Young people, culture and the transformation of indigenous
communication
* Feminist and gendered perspectives on indigenous communication
*Theme 7: Indigenous Communication in the Digital Age*
* Digitalisation and the transformation of indigenous communication
* Social media and the revitalisation of indigenous communication
traditions
* Indigenous communication systems and digital storytelling
* Hybridisation of indigenous communication systems with radio (or)
television
* Podcasts, mobile technologies and African oral traditions
* Digital archives and preservation of indigenous knowledge
* Opportunities and risks of technological mediation of indigenous
knowledge
*Theme 8: Indigenous Media and Communication for Social Change*
* Community media and indigenous knowledge
* Indigenous communication and social mobilisation
* Radio, television and indigenous development narratives
* Participatory indigenous media and community empowerment
* Indigenous communication in campaigns for social change
* Counter-narratives and African-centred media production
*Theme 9: Methodologies for Researching Indigenous Communication*
* Indigenous research methodologies
* Participatory and community-based research
* Oral history and indigenous knowledge research
* Storytelling as a research method
* Ethical considerations in documenting indigenous knowledge
* Intellectual property, ownership and protection of indigenous knowledge
* Decolonising research methods in communication studies
*Theme 10: Critical Perspectives and Contemporary Challenges*
* Romanticisation versus critical engagement with indigenous
communication
* Power, exclusion and hierarchy within indigenous communication systems
* Coloniality and the marginalisation of indigenous communication
* Commercialisation and commodification of indigenous knowledge
* Indigenous communication, misinformation and contested knowledge
* Negotiating tradition, modernity and development
*6.**Contribution to Scholarship and Practice*
The proposed book intends to make both theoretical and practical
contributions to the field of development communication. Theoretically,
it will contribute to the growing body of scholarship seeking to
decolonise communication and development studies by placing African
epistemologies and indigenous knowledge systems at the centre of
knowledge production. Practically, the book will provide insights for
development practitioners, governments, civil society organisations,
community organisations, media professionals, educators and policymakers
seeking communication approaches that are culturally relevant,
participatory, locally owned, and sustainable.
The volume will also create space for interdisciplinary dialogue among
communication studies, development studies, African studies,
anthropology, sociology, education, public health, environmental
studies, media studies, cultural studies, and indigenous knowledge
scholarship.
*7.**Target Contributors*
The call welcomes contributions from:
* Communication and media scholars
* Development studies scholars
* African studies researchers
* Indigenous knowledge scholars
* Social scientists and humanities scholars
* Development communication practitioners
* Community media practitioners
* Policymakers and development professionals
* Researchers working with indigenous communities
* Cultural practitioners and knowledge custodians
Contributions that are interdisciplinary, comparative, theoretically
grounded, empirically based, and attentive to African contexts are
particularly encouraged. The editors also welcome contributions that
foreground specific African countries, regions, communities, or
indigenous communication traditions, as well as comparative studies
across African contexts.
*8.**Expected Chapter Format*
Authors are invited to submit original, unpublished chapters of
approximately *6,000–8,000 words*, including references, tables and figures.
Each chapter should generally include:
* Title of the chapter
* Author(s), institutional affiliation and contact details
* Abstract of approximately 200–300 words
* 5–7 keywords
* Introduction
* Conceptual/theoretical framework, where appropriate
* Main discussion/analysis
* Conclusion
* References
Both conceptual and empirical chapters are welcome. Empirical chapters
should clearly articulate their methodological approach and ethical
considerations, particularly where indigenous communities and knowledge
holders are involved.
*9.**Indicative Submission Process*
Prospective contributors are invited to submit an *extended abstract of
approximately 500–750 words* outlining:
* Proposed chapter title
* Background and rationale
* Central argument or research problem
* Theoretical/conceptual framework
* Methodology, where applicable
* Expected contribution to the volume
* Key references
* Brief author biography
Following review of abstracts, selected contributors will be invited to
submit full chapters for peer review.
*10.**Indicative Timeline*
The editors may adopt the following schedule:
* *Deadline for abstract submissions:*15^th February 2027
* *Notification of acceptance:*31^st March 2027
* *Full chapter submission:*30^st June 2027
* *Outcome of Peer-review process:*15^th August 2027
* *Revised chapter submission:*5^th September 2027
* *Final manuscript submission to publisher:*15^th October 2027
* *Expected publication:*January 2028
*11. Proposed Editorial Position*
The book is premised on the understanding that reimagining development
communication in Africa requires more than adding indigenous examples to
established theories. It requires a deeper interrogation of the
epistemological foundations upon which development communication has
been constructed.
The volume therefore seeks contributions that ask not only how
indigenous communication can be used to communicate development, but
also how indigenous communication systems can transform our
understanding of what development is, whose knowledge counts, who
defines development priorities, and how communities communicate their
own visions of social change.
In this sense, the book positions indigenous communication as a
potential source of theory, methodology, practice, and alternative
development imaginaries rather than merely as a cultural instrument for
delivering externally determined development messages.
*Interested contributors are invited to submit extended abstracts and
brief 100-word author biographies to:*
*(saikimu /at/ must.ac.mw)* <mailto:(saikimu /at/ must.ac.mw)>*and
(tshepang.molale /at/ wits.ac.za) <mailto:(tshepang.molale /at/ wits.ac.za)> *
*Proposed outlet/Publisher: Routledge African Media, Culture and
Communication Studies Book Series***
*References*
Abdulai, M., Hadi, I., & Anas, A. L. (2023). Exploring the role of
indigenous communication systems for rural development in the Tolon
district of Ghana. /Research in Globalisation/, 100128.
https://doi.org/doi.org/10.1016/j.resglo.2023.100128
<https://doi.org/doi.org/10.1016/j.resglo.2023.100128>
Adjaye, J. K. (2008). The technology of the human voice: Oral systems of
information dissemination and retrieval among the Akan of Ghana. /The
International Information & Library Review/,/40/(4), 236-242.
Ansu-Kyeremeh, K. (2005). /Indigenous communication in Africa: Concept,
applications, and prospects/. Ghana Universities Press.
Boafo, K. S. (2006). Participatory development communication: An African
perspective. In G. Bessette (Ed.), /People, land and water:
Participatory development communication for natural resource management/
(pp. 41-48). Earthscan.
Chari, T. (2016). Rethinking climate change communication strategies in
Africa: The case for indigenous media. /Indilinga African Journal of
Indigenous Knowledge Systems/,/15/(2), 217-232.
Chavinda, C., Chikaipa, V., Kainja, J., Mchakulu, J., & Ndasauka, Y.
(2026). /Communication for social change in sub-Saharan Africa:
Amplifying the marginalised voices/. Routledge.
Malan, C. (1998). Development communication as part of culture.
/Communicare: Journal for Communication Sciences in Southern
Africa/,/17/(1), 49-87.
Manyozo, L. (2012). /Media, communication and development: Three
approaches/. SAGE Publications India.
Manyozo, L. (2018). The context is the message: Theory of indigenous
knowledge communication systems. /Javnost-The Public/,/25/(4), 393-409.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13183222.2018.1463351
<https://doi.org/10.1080/13183222.2018.1463351>
Meribe, N. (2014). Rethinking conservation communication in rural
Africa: A case for indigenous African communication systems (IACSs).
/Malaysian Journal of Communication/,/30/(1), 53-73.
Salawu, A. (2004). The intrinsic value of Oramedia for development.
/Humanities Review Journal 4/(1), 18-30.
Salawu, A. (2015). Oramedia as a vehicle for development in Africa: The
imperative for the ethical paradigm of development. /Journal of
Sociology and Social Anthropology/,/6/(2), 209-216.
Ugboajah, F. O. (1972). Traditional-urban media model: Stocktaking for
African development. /Gazette (Leiden, Netherlands)/,/18/(2), 76-95.
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