CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Nigeria, among other African countries is known for her different varieties of traditional cloths ranging from one ethnic group to the other. The evidence can be seen from all the thirty six states in Nigeria; the clothing style of the eastern Nigeria differs from that of the northern Nigeria as so on.

Clothing is anything placed on the body to adorn or to motivate behaviour (John and Foster, 1990). It includes all the different garments, accessories or ornaments worn by people as well as their make-up and styles. Theories have attempted to explain the motivation factors underlying clothing choices and decision. Such theories include: modesty, immodesty, protection and adornment theories (Marshal Jackson, Stanley, Kefgen and Touchie 2000). Modesty theory focuses on standard regarding the area of the anatomy to be concealed and state that clothes are worn solely to conceal or cover nakedness (Marshal et al. 2000). Various cultures have rules about modesty that relate to their use of clothing. The immodesty theory on the other hand states that clothing is not to cover nakedness but to attract attention. The argument here is that wearing of garment is far erotic than in going without them (Marshal et al. 2000). The protection theory view physical protection and psychological protection as major reasons of purpose of wearing clothes.

Dress or clothing is a kind of garment worn by people of all cultures since pre-historic times. Different peoples of the world have their unique dress culture. The materials used for making dresses range from cotton, wool, silk fabric to flax fabric and rubber. Dresses that people in all cultures wear are determined by a number of factors. The main factor that has determined, and is still determining, the variety of clothes in different times and locations, is climate (Braun, 2005). In Nigeria for instance, we have the rainy season and the dry season, with their characteristic cold and hot temperature. Dress culture therefore has to bow to the prevailing weather condition. Dress culture has also been affected by changing styles or fashion in vogue. Other factors that influence the dress that people wear are the availability of materials, cost of materials, technology of the period, peoples’ social status, human migration, religious tradition, assimilation of various traditions, social cosmopolitan outlook or modernity, travels and perhaps colonization, conversion and nationalism.

The study will consider the Northern Nigeria especially the Hausa clothing style taking into consideration Sokoto and Kebbi state.

1.2 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

The problem associated with the difference in style and fashion of clothing style in Nigeria is due to the style of weaving.

The styles and patterns of dressing are largely determined by variables like group dynamics cum peer group relationship, weather, event, ethical dressing code (such as law and medical student) etc. Despite these and other variable certain types of dressing by the ladies in particular tend to have disastrous effect on their male counterparts, lecturers, and the society hence negative motives may be developed generally through cursory looking. Beside, most of the attitude and behaviour towards dressing, at times by the female students do not conform to moral standard thereby, debasing the human value, norm and standard. As a result, the cherished cultural norms and values are highly abused and relegated to the background, according to Best (2002), this negative trend in dressing is an indication of poor parental upbringing, low level of cultural and religious values and practices. The cultural practice in Nigeria is the major cause of the variation in clothing style. Take the Northern Nigeria for instance, the Hausas in Kebbi weaves their cloth in different manner compared to that of Sokoto and vice visa.

1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The main aim of the research work is to examine the carryout a comparative collection of Hausa cloths of Sokoto State and Kebbi State. Other specific objectives of the study are stated below as follows:

1. To examine the effect of cultural differences on the clothing style of Sokoto and Kebbi state
2. To examine the weaving style/pattern on the nature of traditional cloths
3. To investigate on the factors affecting the quality of production
4. To examine the effect of individual style on preference of Sokoto or Kebbi State cloth collection
5. To proffer solution to the above problem

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study came up with research question in order to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research question are stated below as follows:

1. What is the effect of cultural differences on the clothing style of Sokoto and Kebbi state?
2. What is the weaving style/pattern on the nature of traditional cloths?
3. What are the factors affecting the quality of production?
4. What is the effect of individual style on preference of Sokoto or Kebbi State cloth collection?

1.5 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0: there is no difference in the quality and weaving pattern between Hausa cloths from Sokoto and that of Kebbi State

H1:there is difference in the quality and weaving pattern between Hausa cloths from Sokoto and that of Kebbi State

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The study traditional Hausa cloth: a comaparative collection of Sokoto and Kebbi state will be of immense benefit to the entire Kebbi and Sokoto State as it will discuss the difference in weaving style and individual preferences.

1.7 SCOPE OF STUDY

The study on traditional Hausa cloth is limited to only Sokoto and Kebbi State, looking into their various collection of traditional clothing style and weaving pattern.

1.8 LIMITATIONS OF STUDY

1. Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
2. Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

CLOTH: woven or felted fabric made from wool, cotton, or a similar fibre