Identity Construction among Hausa Traders in the South-South, South-East and South-West Zones of Nigeria

Abstract

Identity is a seductive concept. It can easily foster ‘homuncular regression’ in our thinking in that we are easily at risk of reifying identity as an explanans (or independent variable). The aim of the study is to investigate how Hausa native speakers living in the southern part of Nigeria construct their identity and how, consequently, their identity can be preserved. In addition, the study focuses on identifying and describing some of the linguistic elements  Hausa native speakers use when interacting among themselves; and on bringing forth some of the morphological staging and linguistic styles. It is against this background that the paper is anchored on the following theoretical frameworks: Social Identity Theory (Tafel & Turner, 2017); Cultural Hybridization Theory (Homi Bhabha, 1994), which helps to analyse how Hausa traders blend Hausa tradition with traditions of the host cultures, thereby creating hybrid identities; and ethno-linguistic identity theory (Giles & Johnson, 1987), which sees language as principal indicator of click or group membership and social identity. The study adopts a mixed-method technique, integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches while questionnaire, observation and interviews were employed as data collection instruments. The target population comprised of forty (40) selected respondents. The random sampling technique was used. The research found that Hausa native speakers communicate among themselves via their native language, as they came from the same linguistic and cultural background, which is different from that of the host community. Therefore, the need to construct new identities is inevitable in their business fronts to enable them contain daily difficulties they may encounter. Moreover, it is necessary to maintain identities through language use and cultural practices as most of them participate in community meetings and socio-cultural festivals.