The Role of Hausa Language in Conflict Resolution Among Ethnic Communities in Taraba State

Taraba State, located in North East Nigeria, is one of the country's most ethnically diverse and conflict-prone states, with periodic violent conflicts between farming and herding communities of different ethnic backgrounds. This study examines the role of Hausa language as a medium of communication in conflict resolution processes among ethnic communities in Taraba State. A descriptive case study design was employed, drawing data from three documented conflict mediation processes in Jalingo and Wukari local government areas between 2021 and 2023. Interviews were conducted with 30 community mediators, local government conflict resolution officers, and traditional rulers who participated in these processes. Observations of two community peace dialogue sessions were also conducted. The study examines how Hausa, functioning as the dominant inter-ethnic lingua franca in Taraba, enables communication across linguistic barriers in conflict mediation while also potentially imposing communicative disadvantages on communities less fluent in Hausa. Findings reveal that Hausa is universally used in inter-ethnic peace meetings in Taraba, reducing translation complexity, but that limited Hausa fluency among some aggrieved community members creates representation gaps. Traditional conflict resolution formulas and diplomatic expressions in Hausa are identified as culturally powerful mediation tools. Recommendations include training of community mediators in multilingual conflict communication strategies and documentation of Hausa conflict resolution vocabulary for use in formal and informal mediation training programmes in Taraba State. Keywords: Hausa, Conflict resolution, Taraba State, Inter-ethnic communication, Mediation.