ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to identify an assessment of a Semiotic Study of Asaba Cultural Costume and Makeup from Ancient to Contemporary Designs. The research was carried out as a survey research using relevant literature from journals, magazines, books, and the internet. Four research questions were raised and analyzed for the purpose of the study. A random sampling technique was used in the selection of. One hundred (100) Asaba indigenes who were randomly selected from residents in Benin City of Edo state. The data were collected with questionnaire instruments and analyzed using simple percentages .The result revealed that; the historical evolution of Asaba costumes and makeup from ancient civilizations to modern times revolved around the modernization of the world, even though these customs and makeup are still in use, globalization, Internet and social media, Fashion Designers and Makeup Artists, Media and Entertainment, Climate, and Sustainability, are all factors that have influenced Asaba costume and makeup trends, costume and makeup have served as powerful tools of self-expression across different eras and cultures. They have reflected societal norms, values, and personal identity, finally, traditional Asaba attire in the past was often made from locally sourced materials like raffia, animal skins, and woven fabrics. while in modern times, there has been a shift towards using more readily available fabrics like cotton, silk, and synthetic materials. Based on the results, it was recommended that going with knowledge that education is the order of the day. Culture and its elements, for instance costume and make up, should be built into the school curriculum, starting from small to know that these elements can be used to represent a people, costume and make up designers should embrace the habit of attending different festivals, which portray the people’s culture, as to be versatile in their art and always be able to present those designs whenever the need calls, costumes and make up designs used in performances should be preserved and as well documented for it not to go into extinction and also for the purpose of references in time when they are needed, the entire public should start seeing costume and make up as having qualities beyond mere artistic and aesthetic features, but also a viable tool for cultural interpretation and this consciousness will aid them eventually in noting the sacredness associated with their culture.
