SOCIO-CULTURAL PRACTICES AND IDENTITY FORMATION IN NIGERIAN LITERATURE: A PSYCHO-SOCIAL ANALYSIS OF ABI DARÉ’S THE GIRL WITH THE LOUDING VOICE AND CHIGOZIE OBIOMA’S THE FISHERMEN

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between socio-cultural practices and identity formation in Nigerian literature with focus on two selected Nigerian novels, Abi Daré’s The Girl with the Louding Voice and Chigozie Obioma The Fishermen. Erik Erikson’s Psycho-social Development theory was used to examine how cultural settings and norms influence the formation of individual identities, emphasizing the impact of parental guidance, societal expectations, and religious beliefs through a detailed qualitative analysis. The findings reveal that parental neglect fosters resilience but also leads to tragic consequences. Furthermore, the findings highlight the importance of supportive family system. The paper concludes that societal norms and religious beliefs in the challenges and opportunities presented by socio- cultural dynamics greatly help in shaping characters' identities in the texts. Recommendations stemming from this study advocates for creating supportive environments for identity exploration, fostering open communication, integrating diverse literature in education, and advocating for societal change to eliminate harmful cultural conditions.