Hello friends, on this week's culture series, we shall be looking at the TIV people. The Tiv or Tivi people are found in West Africa, in Nigeria and in Cameroon. They occupy Benue State of Nigeria and a few others spread across Taraba, Plateau, and Nasarawa states of Nigeria.

They have survived by subsistence farming and commerce. Their crops include yams, sweet potatoes, and cassava. They also grow grain crops, peanuts, tomato and okra.

The traditional Tiv people regarded farming as their birthright and they are committed to it.

The Tiv people though small in number have been able to maintain their culture and tradition to a reasonable extent. Like every other culture in Nigeria and Africa at large, the Tiv people are superstitious. They believe that the universe is created by Aondo (god). They believe Aondo use to stay closer to the earth but was stroke by a woman pounding food. This made him retreat. Although their relationship with him may seem weak, they believe that most actions necessary for the sustenance of life can only be performed by him.

They believe the power of good and evil is within a man's heart.

When evil within is set in motion by evil men, misfortunes are bound to occur. This leads to sickness and disease which requires sacrifice to repair.

Music is said to heal the soul, I strongly agree with this. The Tiv people are not left out. The Tiv people have the Girinya dance, performed either on a social or ritual level. The Girinya dance is done to honour fallen heroes. The Girinya dance has evolved into the Wanger and Swange dances.

They also have the Kwagh-hir dance which is more of story telling, and involves puppets. It is performed on special occasions.

Tsav-utu dance is one based on the belief that there is a spirit world similar to the normal human world. Props such as spears, guns, arrows, and lighted pots are used during performance. The lighted pots is believed to be carried by girls who died as virgins.

Some of the Tiv musical/communication instruments include: Iluyu, Kakaki, Akya, Gbande, Indyer, and Adiguve.

Generally, one can identify a Tiv man or woman by his dressing or rather choice of material. As simple and plain as the design may seem, it hold the basic truth of life. They are known for their famous white and black fabric, called the A'nger. Woven with white and black yarn to create make the cloth appear like a Zebra skin, the A'nger signifies the true nature of the Tiv people. It is either yes or no, white or black, left or right, etc. The Tiv man believes in honesty and sincerity, clearing taking a stand on issues. Just like the gentle and calm nature of the Zebra, the Tiv people uses this colour to signify their peaceful and hardworking nature.

The A'nger is bestowed upon illustrious sons and daughters as well as outsiders who have distinguished themselves(done well), although in recent times have been politicized. The A'nger is the most prestigious fabric of the Tiv people. Other fabrics include Tugudu, Godo, Lishi, Chado, and Gurugu, amongst others.

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Interesting stuff.

The myth about how God retreated from the Earth seems to be pretty widespread in West Africa.

Is there any connection between the Girinya dance and the Ogrinya society among the Idoma people.

Also did you say Tiv-land extends into Cameroun? I didn't know that.

Yes the myth about god being close to the earth is wide spread. I believe the Girinya dance is only associated with the Tiv people of Benue state. It is a war/ritual dance.
And yes Tiv speaking people are found in Cameroon. There is a boundary with Cameroon at the South-eastern area of Tiv.