THE SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF ITEMS USED IN EDO TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE CEREMONY

ABSTRACT

This study examines the semiotic analysis of items used in Edo traditional marriage ceremony. The aims and objectives of this study is to identify the different traditional marriage gift items in Edo culture and to assess communicative value of these objects meaning attributed to particular gift items to couples during their marriage ceremony. This research employs both primary and secondary source of data; the primary source of data consist of data collected through direct interviews of the informants who possess deep knowledge about the cultural value of the various items which are normally used in Edo traditional marriage. The informant from whom the data were extracted were mostly elderly members of the community ranging from the ages of 70-85 years old. The secondary method of data collection is through archival materials such as books, journals, articles and the internet. The study explores the Edo traditional cultural value through the various items and their own referential meaning and communicative value, separate interpretations are given to the various items used in the traditional marriage. Conclusively, the project observed that Edo people do not only use speech as a mode of communication during their traditional marriage but they also have a symbolic item that depict different meanings in the culture.