THE IMPACT OF MODERN CLOTHING ON INDIGENOUS ATTIRES IN NIGER STATE

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Undertaking a study of indigenous attires and dress style of a people (in this case, the people of Niger State of Nigeria) calls for an appreciation of the whole set and sub set, implying that the larger content of who the people are, how they relate with the larger group as Africans, Nigerians and as people of Niger State must be looked at. With close to over twenty-five ethnic groups across the length and breadth of Niger State, there is need to mention other ethnic groups like the Kamuku, Kambari, Kakanda, Koros and the Bussa. All these groups have their distinct cultures and even mode of dressing but it is sufficient to stress, that for the purpose of this research, the Nupe, Gbagyi, Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups constitute the focal point of the study.

Isa (2012) mentioned that Niger State stands as one of the satellite states to the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. It is located on 4.27⁰N (latitude) and 5.58⁰E (longitude). It shares boundaries with Abuja (FCT) in the north while the rest of the states of Nassarawa, Kogi, Kebbi, Zamfara and Kaduna form the rest of the boundary. Niger State like many other Nigerian states is pluralistic containing different groups of people with diverse cultural background. Kuta (2003) stated that each of this major groups however; live near one another that sometimes boundary wise it is often difficult to map out where one begins and where the other ends. For the purpose of political delineating the state is divided into three senatorial districts –East, West and North. Within this distinction lived the major ethnic groups – Nupe (West), Gbagyi (East), Hausa and Fulani (North). The people of Niger State are increasingly becoming integrated into the national and international community. This is making them stimulated and influenced by modernization, which is increasing their reliance on Western and other external aesthetic preferences especially in clothing and dress styles. Current technological advancement in fabric and clothing production, other Western influences, as well as the present rapid social and political changes in Nigeria, especially in Niger State because of its nearness to Abuja, made the state vulnerable to effects of modernization. This study therefore focuses on the impact of modern clothing on indigenous attires in Niger State.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The influence of the closeness of Niger State to Abuja and the adventurous spirit of the people of Niger State, which took them to many Nigerian towns and cities such as Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, Ilorin, Port-Harcourt, Onitsha and so forth has contributed a lot in bringing Western and other types of dressing modes into the state.

Dutsenwai (2009) observes that availability of modern textile equipment, materials, techniques, as well as cheap new and second hand garments, as a result of rapid and continuous technological advancement in textile and clothing manufacture are bound to impact, not only on the indigenous dressing styles but also how they were made and used‟‟. Furthermore, the unprecedented advancement in transport, information and communication technology which is today making textile trade faster, easier and more effective, appears to also be contributing to the apparent demise of indigenous dressing styles in Nigeria in general and Niger State in particular.

The problem of this study therefore, is to investigate, describe and analyse the impact of modern clothing on indigenous attires of Niger State and its consequences. This enabled the researcher to ascertain the gradual disappearance of the indigenous attires amongst the Nupe, Gbagyi, and Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups in Niger State.

1.3 Aim

The aim of this study was to describe and analyse the impact of modern clothing on indigenous attires in Niger State.

1.3.3 Objectives of the Study are to:

• identify and describe the various types of modern clothing and textiles available in Niger State,
• identify and describe the various types of indigenous attires used in Niger State,
• establish the current level of acceptance or otherwise of modern clothing used in Niger State and why,
• Find out the level of patronage or otherwise of indigenous attires used in Niger State and why,
• analyse and establish the impact of modern clothing on indigenous attires used in Niger State and its consequences.

1. 4 Research questions
2. What types of modern clothing and textiles can be found in Niger State?
3. What types of indigenous attires that are being used in Niger State?

• What is the current level of acceptance of modern clothing in Niger

1. What is the current level of patronage of indigenous attires among the people of Niger State?
2. v) Why are the modern clothing impacted on indigenous attires of the people of Niger State and its consequences?

1.5 Scope and Delimitation

The scope of this study covers the types of modern and indigenous attires used by the four major ethnic groups in Niger State; they are Nupe, Gbagyi, Hausa and Fulani. Eight local government areas namely- Gurara, Paikoro, Chanchaga, Wushishi, Mariga, Kontagora, Agaie and Bida local Governments were the delimited areas of the study. Chanchaga local government area, with the headquarters in Minna which is also the state capital, contains all the ethnic groups in the State. Bida local government area with Bida as the administrative capital and also the seat of the Emirate council is the centre of the majority Nupe ethnic group. Gurara local Government area with the administrative headquarters in Gawu Babangida, has the largest concentration of the Gbagyi people and they are predominantly farmers. In Mariga local Government area, the Hausa and Fulani people are mostly found. The Hausa people are farmer and traders while the Fulani are cattle rearers. Paikoro local government area with the administrative headquarters in Paiko town has a big and popular market where people from different parts of the state come together for buying and selling of commodities. This study was delimited to these local government areas.

1.6          Justification

Before the movement of the Federal Capital to Abuja, the people of Niger State were among the constituent traditional settlers of this area with a distinct culture, which was clearly shown in their mode of dressings, all of which appears to have given way to modern clothing by reason of importation, influence of foreigners, tourists, travelers to and from the Capital city and so forth. The impact of modern dressing today on youths, men and women is believed to have been caused by the availability of cheap second hand clothing, styles in vogue. Near naked dressing of young men and women imitating what they see in designers‟ magazines, films and so forth seems to have impacted heavily on indigenous clothing. The researcher reviewed literature, written on textiles, clothing and related subjects by authors including Adetoro (1985), Maiwada and Ogunbowale (2011), Kuta (2003) and other researchers but the researcher is not aware of any one that has written directly on the impact of modern clothing on indigenous attires in Niger State, this has inspired the researcher to embark on this study.

1.7         Significance of the study

Generally, the outcome of this research will be of great assistance to textile designers (local or international), teachers, students, youths and merchants, who are involved in the business of clothing and textiles as well as tourism. It will also create an avenue for the blending of modern style of dressing with indigenous attires, thus re- awakening what appeared to have been forgotten, other areas of significance include Educational, Cultural, Social and Economic.

Educational Significance

This study will be significant educationally to various groups of people particularly students, researchers, fashion designers and so forth, who are seeking to add to what they already know about the impact of modern dressing on indigenous attires in Niger State and Nigeria as a whole.

Cultural Significance

The cultural impact of this study to the society may be seen in the renewed interest of today‟s fashion designers in creating a blend of partly indigenous attires with some modern styles which is in line with desires to re-awaken the use of materials that have local contents in Niger State. There is also the added advantage to the youths as they may choose to wear some new creations (of fashion) using old materials as was used in the making of agbayije (a woven dyed cloth). With improved transportation and search for greener pastures many parents have migrated to other lands and have had their children born far from home and out of tunes with names of clothing, this study will significantly make them to know local names of indigenous attires of their fatherland.

Social Significance

This study will significantly renew social interest in the wearing of clothing that have indigenous origin such agbayije, jibwge and edetikpe at wedding ceremonies, political rallies or communal gatherings. As the study investigated, described and analysed the impact of modern clothing on attires clothing in Niger State, with a copy given to the Government of Niger State‟s library; it will help to enlighten tourists, journalists, and historians on the social past of the ethnic groups under study. This will help to awaken and renew the interest of the present generation in identifying and wearing of indigenous attires of the Nupe, Gbagyi, Hausa and Fulani of Niger State.

Economic Significance

Weavers or producers of indigenous attires in Niger State earned their living from the production and marketing of indigenous attires and related items. However, superior technology brought in cheaper alternatives in fabrics and readymade attires (new and second hand clothing) which constitute modern dressings, and swept off the local industries producing such items, for example pit dyeing, hand loom weaving and so on. The economic significance of this study especially to the people of Niger State and it‟s environ will be an improvement in the trade of indigenous attires, creating awareness among fabric producers who may adopt the use of modern machinery to better their production, and competitive markets for the local industry.

1.8     Basic Assumption

It is assumed that the information collected from the sample of this study is a true reflection of the study population, from which the sample was chosen. It is also assumed that modern clothing and textiles are exerting their influence on every aspect of indigenous attires.

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