Semiotics of costume in Baamaya dance suite of the Dagbamba
Date
2015
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Abstract
The paper discusses the symbolisms and the aesthetics of costume in the Baamaaya Dance
Suite among the Dagbamba in Northern Ghana. It looks at semiotics of costume from the
general framework of non-verbal communication within the context of the dance. Costume
within the framework of the dance will be interrogated based on gender sensitivity. Why
the choice of feminist costume for the opposite sex?, The myth surrounding the choice of
feminist costume for the opposite sex, as well as clothing representations, will be
investigated on the cosmic world view of the Dagbamba. Through participant observation,
interviews and content analysis, the paper posits that the feminist reflection of clothes on
the men in the Baamaaya dance performance is rooted in the Dagbamba mythology. Again,
the costumes are not only aesthetically applied, but they are also embedded with
philosophies, symbolisms, signs, texture and elements that are impetus to the general
framework of the dance.
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Keywords
nonverbal, communication, semiotics, culture, symbolism, aesthetics, feminist costume