PERSONHPERSONHOOD AND THE NEGOTIATION FOR IDENTITY AMONG THE OEGWOROK (KAGORO) COMMUNITY OF SOUTHERN KADUNAOOD AND THE NEGOTIATION FOR IDENTITY AMONG THE OEGWOROK (KAGORO) COMMUNITY OF SOUTHERN KADUNA

Abstract

This paper explores the multifaceted and ever-evolving nature of personhood within the Oegworok community, a unique ethnic group residing in Southern Kaduna, Nigeria. It underscores the complexity of this process, highlighting that personhood and individual negotiation for identity are not static concepts but ones that is continually shaped through various factors. These factors can be broadly categorized into internal and external influences. The methodology employed in this study includes qualitative research methods such as in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation. The paper discusses the profound implications of personhood and identity negotiations on the Oegworok community's social, political, and economic structures. By examining the interplay between individual personhood and communal identity, the paper sheds light on how these factors collectively shape the Oegworok narrative. This narrative, in turn, influences the community's societal norms, power dynamics, and economic activities, painting a comprehensive picture of how identity construction can significantly impact a community's overall development and functioning as well as a person’s image. The findings reveal that the Oegworok community's understanding of personhood is influenced by their cultural beliefs, values, and practices; and that the socio-cultural, historical, and political contexts have shaped the Oegworok's understanding of personhood and identity negotiation, which are continuously negotiated and renegotiated in response to changing societal and environmental conditions.