Analysis of Non Verbal Cues among the Abasamia Community of Busia County, Kenya

Abstract

The central factor in communication is the intelligibility that exists between the parties concerned. The concept of communication involves not only the verbal message, but the non-verbal message as well. Having intermingled with various ethnic communities, Abasamia picked up non-verbal signs of human communication which they have tried to live with over the centuries. This study sought to establish the non verbal cues used by the Abasamia community of Busia County, Kenya. In addition, the study also sought to assess how verbal cues help demystify the non-verbal cues among the Abasamia community. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: to identify and present the nonverbal signals used by the Abasamia Community in communication; to establish the verbal cues that complement the non-verbal cues and; to interpret the choice of non-verbal cues in communication among the Abasamia Community. The study was premised on the Semiotics theory as the theoretical underpinning. A descriptive research design was adopted in the study. The study employed purposive and simple random sampling technique to sample 48 respondents who participated in the study. Data collection instruments used were photographs, interview schedule and questionnaires,using a drop-and-pick-later procedure for questionnaire and note-taking for interview guides. Analysis was done using descriptive statistics where the findings were coded,cleaned and then presented in tables, .graphs, narratives, discussions and excerpts according to themes. The findings revealed that a variety of nonverbal signs were frequently used within the Abasamia community. The respondents of the study were found to engage in nonverbal cues to communicate, repeat, complement, duplicate, assent, regulate, contradict, indicate relational standing, demonstrate and maintain cultural norms and communicate emotions. The study concludes that indeed nonverbal signals are used in communication among the Abasamia. The nonverbal cues are complemented by verbal cues to enhance reinforcement and clarity and that the choice of non-verbal signals is motivated by certain factors such as culture, norms, occasion, mood and intimacy. The study recommends among other issues documenting the use of nonverbal cues among local communities such as Abasamia as part of enhancing and preserving culture and national heritage.