A SEMIOTIC STUDY OF IGWULE AND ALEMOSOKO MASQURADE TRADITIONS IN IYAYU

ABSTRACT

Nigeria has a robust masquerade tradition which is a key aspect of the country’s arts heritage. A masquerade is a form of performance where the performers wear masks or costumes to conceal their identities. It’s a festival in which ancestral spirits are believed to return to earth and possess their descendants. During the festival, masqueraders dress up in costumes representing the ancestors, perform ritual dances, and make offerings to them. This project delves into the intricate semiotic dimensions of the Igule and Alemosoko masquerade traditions within the vibrant community of Iyayu quarters in Idoani, Ondo State. The study aims to make known the symbolism of the masquerade traditions. Through a meticulous analysis of observed data, including costumes, performances such as songs and dances, and socio-cultural context, the study aims to unravel the symbolic language embedded within these cherished cultural practices. Drawing on Ferdinand de Saussure's semiotic theory, the analysis uncovers the arbitrary nature of signs, the syntagmatic and paradigmatic relationships between signifiers and signified meanings, and the socio-cultural significance of the masquerade traditions. Semiotics is a theory developed in linguistics for studying the structure and meaning of language, it is the study of signs and symbols and how they generate meanings. This study used the qualitative method for data collection, this involves interviews with key informants, including masquerade performers, community elders and leaders. It also includes internet research for documents relevant to the study.  During the course of this study, some discoveries were made.  The songs sung by the masquerades are used to pass messages to the people, to expose people that are involved in trickery, or to expose the woman that commits adultery. They also serve as a prayer to the ancestors, to bless their people with many children and bountiful harvest. It was also discovered that the costumes ( like the rope and cane)worn by the masquerade are used to ward away sickness and anxiety from children and the community as a whole. The findings shed light on the rich cultural heritage and spiritual symbolism inherent in the Igule and Alemosoko masquerades. This study is also a way to preserve the culture and traditions of the Iyayu people whose language endangered.