Indigenous Communication: Introduction

Colonised and oppressed peoples are in every continent, nook and cranny of the world we live in. It is estimated that there are 350 million indigenous people in 70 countries worldwide. The oppression they were subjected to was not only intended to break their spirit but to ensure that they discard their tried and tested ways of life for those of the oppressors and colonizers. In many instances, the new way of life has damaged the environment and decimated indigenous peoples and impaired their way of life irretrievably. The ray of hope is that indigenous studies and research are reviving these cultural practices and showing to Western scholars and others that their existence is no threat as the sky is big enough to accommodate all viewpoints. This work is another attempt to decolonize and breathe new life into indigenous knowledge albeit from a communication angle. But justice would not be done if one does not locate the communication perspective in the larger context of indigenous marginalization and the work in progress to revive and restore indigenous knowledge to its pride of place.