Potential of Folk Media in Extension Work

Traditional Folk media holds a true position in the field of media communications because of its uniqueness and practical existence. Considering the importance, popularity and use of traditional folk media, Dhemaji district of Assam was selected for the purpose of the study based on the cultural diversities of the area. A descriptive research design was followed and data were collected through personal interview technique from the ethnic groups of Ahom, Kachari, Mising and Deori. The findings of the study revealed that the different traditional folk media prevalent among the selected ethnic groups were Folk songs (Bihu, Oi:nitom), Folk dances (Log, Gumrag), Festivals (Bihu, Ali-Aye-Ligang), proverbs, idioms and riddles related to agriculture. The study further revealed that majority of the respondents used folk songs, folk dances, proverbs, festivals, regularly and it was found popular and effective for agricultural communication. Therefore, it is hoped that findings of the study will be a great potential in the field of communication research as well as for planning and dissemination of need based information among rural families for agricultural and rural development.