ABSTRACT A contemporary challenge facing the Nigerian state is the contentious clashes between herdsmen and local farmers. This has exacerbated tensions and the quest for peaceful coexistence in pursuit of national unity and ethnic integration within the multi-ethnic Nigerian state. Extant literature on herdsmen attacks in Nigeria largely focused on the causes and conventional resolution strategies to curb the herdsmen menace. The major thrust of this study is to examine Yerima’s ‘Hendu’, as a metaphor for tolerance and harmony anchored on the African philosophy of Ubuntu’s tenets of interconnectedness and humanity towards others as resolution paradigm for herdsmen attacks in Nigeria. The study, therefore, undertakes a close reading of Ahmed Yerima’s ‘Hendu’, revealing the characterisation strategy by Yerima reflecting on unity, forgiveness and social inclusivity which Ubuntu embodies. The study illustrates how the playwright utilises dramatic devices such as situational irony, metaphor, imagery and allusion to accentuate the covert motives behind the numerous herdsmen attacks and the negative perception of predominantly Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria. The study posits that appropriating the Ubuntu values of collective identity, respect for human life, and respect for local communities/farmers’ economic rights by the farmers and government can further address and promote national cohesion in Nigeria.
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