THE SIGNIFICANCE OF TRADITIONAL COSTUMES AND DESIGNS AS CULTURAL SYMBOLS AT ASORGLI FESTIVAL IN HO, VOLTA REGION

ABSTRACT Costume and design within indigenous societies are transmitted from one generation to another and are established through periods of relatively long usage establishing what is known as clothing customs. Costume and designs at Asorgli State during festivals has become too adulterated and lost its finesse. The costume that patrons of the Asorgli festival wear for the occasion has dramatically deviated from what it is supposed to be and this trend has made Asorgli festival lose its credibility and cultural significance. Based on this the study aimed at the significance of traditional costume and designs as cultural symbols at Asorgli festival in Ho, Volta Region. The objectives of the study were to explore the traditional costumes and designs at festivals in the Asorgli traditional area, identify the factors that affect traditional significance of Asorgli traditional festival and strategies to enhance the significance of the traditional costume and designs. The researcher adopted survey as the research design for the study. Purposive sampling and simple random sampling technique were used to collect data. The study used questionnaire, interview and observation as the instruments for data collection. The study found that African prints, "Kente" and "Adawu" are the main costumes and designs used by the Asorgli people during festival. The study indicated that the arrival of western education, contacts with other cultures, and creativity and innovation affects the traditional significance of Asorgli traditional festival. Based on this, conclusion was made and it was recommended that the traditional leaders should enforce the young people to promote their cultural significance through costumes and designs during the festival. The community leaders especially the Asorgli (Asorgli traditional ruler) should ensure that the festival is celebrated in a peaceful displayed of their costume and designs in a conducive atmosphere.