COSTUME AND THE DRAG SKIT MAKER: THE EXAMPLE OF WARRI MAMA

Abstract

Costume plays a crucial role in the world of drag performance, shaping character and narrative. However, scholarly attention on African digital activism and youth culture lacks in-depth exploration into the specific nuances of innovative aesthetic costuming and its impact on the portrayal of drag personas, especially as it relates to skit making. Warri Mama's character, while humorous, perpetuates stereotypes about Warri women, blending comedy and cultural critique to facilitate his skit making art. However, the role of costume in shaping his identity and the impacts on audience perception remains underexplored. This study, therefore, examines Warri Mama's online comedy skits, focusing on the intricate costumes involved in his performance. It provides insights into the relationship between costume and drag performance, offering practical implications for drag artists, costume designers, and scholars. The essay highlights the intersection of gender, performance, and visual culture in Warri Mama's art, arguing that the innovative use of drag artistry and fashion's semiotic power creates a camp-infused digital activism that resonates within the Nigerian youth. The paper adopts a qualitative research methodology, an approach used to analyze the artistic, cultural and social dimensions of costumes used in drag skits. This paper employs multidimensional lens of semiotics, performativity and humour to explore how costume contribute to character creation, audience engagement and social commentary. The findings of this work is that costume is central to the success of drag skits, serving as a medium for storytelling, cultural representation and social critique. The research recommends that priority should be on costume design and cultural authenticity.