Trauma and insurgency in Nigerian drama: A study of Ahmed Yerima’s Hard Ground (2006)

Nigeria has been challenged by all forms of anti-government revolts from groups such as the Niger Delta militia, Boko Haram, and the Fulani Herdsmen and Farmers conflict. Most of these uprisings are due to the search for survival by millions of Nigerians who continue to wallow in poverty while the mighty few continue to amass wealth for themselves. Survival for the average Nigerian becomes traumatic and results in a counter reaction by Nigerians through violence and other anti-social behaviours, so as to free themselves from the mental agony and stress of surviving in the harsh economic climate of Nigeria. This study examines trauma and insurgency in Nigeria drama using Ahmed Yerima’s Hard Ground. This is a qualitative research. The study adopts Sandra Bloom’s (1999) “Trauma Theory” as its theoretical framework and observed that when people undergo traumatic experiences, these experiences are not erased, rather they continue to intrude in the consciousness of the victims and express themselves through reenactment for the victims to be free temporarily. This study recommends that people with traumatic experiences should be given early medical attention to enable them heal from past wounds, reconstruct and reconnect with their internal and external worlds