Costumes in Igogo Masquerade Theatre of the Ekiti People

Abstract

This article analyses costume materials and designs as well as signs, symbols and their meanings in the masquerade theatre of the Igogo community in Ekiti State, Nigeria. This became necessary because of the need to make this indigenous art of the people relevant to their contemporary existence and realities by bridging the knowledge gap and invalidate the error of perception which causes a neglecting of this noble heritage and sellable entertainment commodity by the younger generations of Igogo people, especially the formally educated elite. Deploying the key informant interview (KII), semiotic analysis and direct observation methods, the study highlights and discusses the socio-aesthetic attributes of Igogo masquerade theatre, with particular reference to the costumes and their socio-historical as well as entertainment and tourism potentiality.

Keywords: Costumes, Igogo masquerade theatre, Ekiti people, Semiotic analysis, Nigeria