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Article Title: The Language of Dress among the Subcultural Group of the Dzimbabwe People in Masvingo, Zimbabwe
by Lilian Manwa and Gamuchirai Tsitsi Ndamba

Abstract:
The silent language of dress plays a pivotal role in describing the culture of a specific group of people. The purpose of this study was to unveil the nature of messages conveyed by the dress of the Dzimbabwe people of Zimbabwe. Thus, the study sought to find out how the language of dress communicates the culture of the Dzimbabwe people and how it affects their culture. A qualitative research design, specifically a case study was used. The sample comprised of twenty households under the leadership of one headman. Observations and interviews were the tools used to collect data. Data were presented in narrative form and analysed thematically. The study established that the language of dress communicates the beliefs, norms and values of the Dzimbabwe people. Dress language has been seen to be a mirror of their culture and positively affects their culture in that it is used as a tool to transmit their cultural values and norms to the next generation. The language of dress also negatively affects their cultural values when wrongly used or interpreted. The study recommends that the government and non-governmental organisations provide funds which support the sustenance of the culture of the Dzimbabwe people since dress in this sub cultural group depicts the history of the Great Zimbabwe Ruins

Keywords: dress, language of dress, culture, non-verbal language, Dzimbabwe people

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