유럽과 중남미 카니발 복식 연구

Abstract

My research investigates global carnival costumes to see how they appear similar or different across countries, paying particular attention to Europe and Latin America, dominant regions in the world of carnival. I explore costumes from 24 European and Latin American carnivals which are designated by the UNESCO and/or nominated by the USA Today along with corresponding literature review. The results obtained may be summarized as follows. There is a strong correlation between the purpose of a carnival and the styles of costumes worn at it. Carnivals of religious relevance in Europe prefer conservative traditional costumes in their rituals. While carnivals for pleasure in Latin America feature innovative or sensual costumes. Femininity has been strengthened in Latin America, while gender status varies across carnivals and carnival costumes. Latin American carnival costumes, which have become popular and commercialized, feature materials and forms which are substantially diversified. They combine cloth with plastic beads, feathers, sequins, colorful ribbons, glass mirrors, horns and shells to create a dazzling spectacle. Even grass, leaves, raffia, flowers, beads, fur, animal hides, feathers, and cotton are used in carnival costumes, while materials are replaced with synthetic substitutes for reasons of cost and mass production. As the number of local carnivals increases in Korea, research into carnival costumes should be expanded to develop industry, promote social cohesion, and advance education.