TABOOS AND THEIR ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS IN THE FORMATION OF IDENTITY AMONG THE OEGWOROK (KAGORO) COMMUNITY OF SOUTHERN KADUNA, NIGERIA

This study examines the ethical dimensions of taboos and their role in the construction of identity among the Oegworok (Kagoro) community of Southern Kaduna, Nigeria. Contrary to the common perception of taboos as obsolete or irrational constraints, the paper argues that they function as critical moral frameworks through which individual conduct, communal values, and collective identity are shaped and sustained. Drawing on Oegworok myths and oral traditions, the study situates taboos within indigenous philosophical thought, demonstrating how beliefs embedded in mythic narratives contribute to moral formation and social regulation. Methodologically, the research adopts a qualitative approach, employing participant observation and in-depth interviews to explore the lived ethical significance of taboos within the community. The findings reveal that the Oegworok worldview is both complex and dynamic, grounded in the conviction that certain behaviours and practices must be avoided to ensure communal wellbeing and social harmony. Violations of taboos are believed to attract misfortune, not merely at the individual level but for the community as a whole, thereby reinforcing moral accountability and shared responsibility. The paper concludes that taboos among the Oegworok people serve as enduring ethical instruments that mediate tradition and social identity, contributing meaningfully to cultural continuity while remaining responsive to changing social realities.