Costume and Make up, as a Tool for Cultural Interpretation: A Study of Egba Festival of the Kokori, Isoko Local Government Area of Delta State

Abstract

Costume and make up are very important aspect of a dramatic presentation, as it gives out the interpretative meaning of the physical appearance of a character; therefore it is highly symbolic and cannot be overemphasized. Many people have different conceptions and interpretation on costume and make up, some see it as fashion, and others as a medium of shelter, while others see it as an enhancement of the human body. Inspite of this misconception and misinterpretation, the communicative ability of costume and make up still persists among Africans and non-Africans. There is a need to make right this misconception and misinterpretation to help achieve the desired cultural interpretation imbedded in the use of costume and make up. The researcher therefore, to interrogate this research problem, adopted the mixed method of data analysis which includes participatory observation and in-depth content analysis of textbooks, relevant journals and seminar papers towards analysing the symbolic essence, the cultural interpretation of costume and make up, using the Egba Festival of the Kokori, Isoko L.G.A of Delta State as a working metaphor, to successfully give undertone meaning to costume and make up, used in the production. Furthermore the use of costume and make up will give the community cultural identification, sense of belonging and make the indigenes see and appreciate their dress sense as a communicative tool.