ISIAGU CULTURAL DRESS AND IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION IN AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE

Cultural dress has long been identified as a vehicle for identity construction and economic empowerment in African society. But the extent to which cultural dress has enhanced identity construction and economic empowerment in Igbo Community especially in Anambra state is yet to be adequately determined in terms of research. For this reason, this research attempts to inquire into the role of cultural dress in identity construction and economic empowerment in the domain using Isiagu dress as a case study. The study upholds the postulation that the need to lay more emphasizes on the cultural dress is a significant factor in the construction of identity and economic empowerment processes. Modernisation and globalization theories were deployed to further foreground the study. A mixed methodology using both quantitative and qualitative research tools such as survey method, involving questionnaires and discussion were used for data collection. The study found out that there is a linkage between Isiagu dress and Igbo traditional belief, similarly, it was found out that there are other Igbo traditional dresses like Okpuagu, Akwaocha etc. but not as popular as Isiagu because of the traditional belief ascribed to Isiagu and some of their cultural symbols on the dress. The study recommends the need for both government and the Nigerian people especially Igbo to effectively avail cultural dress as a means of fostering identity construction and economic empowerment. In conclusion, the study reaffirms the relevance of cultural dress in helping to create identity and economic empowerment for societal development