Journal of Christian Religious Studies

Traditional attire is one of the most enduring expressions of cultural identity and collective memory in African societies. Among the Ham people of Southern Kaduna, Nigeria, traditional dress serves not only as clothing but also as a symbol of ancestral heritage, communal values, historical consciousness, and ethnic identity. However, globalization, modernization, urbanization, Christianity, and socio-economic changes have significantly altered indigenous dressing practices, threatening the continuity of Ham cultural heritage. While previous studies have examined dress and identity among major Nigerian ethnic groups, limited scholarly attention has been given to the cultural significance of Ham traditional attire. This study addresses this gap by investigating how traditional attire functions as material culture that preserves and transmits communal identity across generations. Using a qualitative ethnographic approach supported by interviews, participant observation, documentary analysis, and archival sources, the study interprets its findings through Afrocentric theoretical perspectives. It argues that Ham traditional attire strengthens social cohesion, communicates identity and moral values, and preserves historical memory. The study concludes that its preservation requires collaborative efforts involving traditional institutions, educational systems, churches, government agencies, cultural organizations, and younger generations through both conventional and digital strategies.

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