Nigerian Dress Culture: an Anthropo-Linguistic Communication Tool

Abstract

<p>This paper tries to put forward an anthropo-linguistic approach to the promotion of Nigerian dress culture in corporate institutions. Linguistic anthropology is a twin discipline which is concerned with the study of human society. It examines culture in its totality – traditions, customs, languages, dress, artifacts and technology, together with human social behaviour and relationships. Dress culture belongs to the sub-division of anthropology called ethnology, which looks at cultures in their traditional forms, and in their adaptation to the changing conditions in the modern world. Dress culture is therefore seen in this paper as a system of communication that functions just like any language functions. For instance, the related subject of Semiotics – the science of signs and significations, i.e. the study of symbols and their communicative meanings – has made dress culture an interesting and intriguing mode of communication. Dress is symbolic, iconic and symptomatic, and it is open to diverse interpretations and meanings. Dress code in corporate institutions just like any symbolic language, speaks volume. The authors therefore explore dress culture in its ramification – ethnic / national ceremonial dress, occasional/ festival dress, corporate/professional dress, religious / ritual dress, political dress, etc., the interpretations of colours, and the role of dress culture in the promotion of national identity. It is suggested that Nigerian dress culture must be sensitive to people’s taste, convenience, style, sex, religious belief, and must consider climatic or weather conditions and modernity if it is to serve as a veritable communication tool.</p>