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{{Short description|West African ethnic group}}
{{infobox ethnic group
| native_name =
| flag = Flag_of_the_Tiv_People.svg
| group = Tiv
| flag_caption = Flag of the Tiv people.
| image = Tiv elders.jpg
| population = Approx. 5 million and still steadily growing<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://minorityrights.org/minorities/tiv/|title=Tiv - Minority Rights Group|work=Minority Rights Group|access-date=2017-08-10|language=en-GB}}</ref>
| popplace = [[Nigeria]], [[Cameroon]]
| langs = [[Tiv language|Tiv]], [[Tivoid languages]], English, French
| rels = Predominantly [[Christianity|Christian]], Tiv [[Traditional religion]]
| related-c = [[Otank language|Utanga]], [[Bitare language|Bitare]], [[Mesaka language|Mesaka]], [[Iceve-Maci language|Iceve]], [[Evant language|Evant]], [[Eman language|Eman]], [[Ipulo language|Ipulo]], [[Caka language|Caka]], [[Tivoid languages|Other Tivoid peoples]]
| footnotes =
}}
'''Tiv''' (or '''Tiiv''')<ref name="Duggan1">{{cite journal |last1=Duggan |first1=E. de C. |title=Notes on the Munshi ('Tivi') Tribe of Northern Nigeria: Some Historical Outlines |journal=Journal of the Royal African Society |date=1932 |volume=31 |issue=123 |pages=173–182 |jstor=716707 |doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.afraf.a101094 }}</ref> are a [[Bantu people|Bantu ethnic group]]. They constitute approximately 2.4% of [[Nigeria]]'s total population,<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |last=Nigeria |first=Good |date=2020-03-02 |title=TIV Ethnic Group |url=https://goodnigeria.com/tiv-ethnic-group/ |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=Good Nigeria |language=en-US}}</ref> and number over 5 million individuals throughout [[Nigeria]] and [[Cameroon]].<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://www.academia.edu/40054139 | title=The History of the TIV People Published by Agula Terdoo Emmanuel | journal=What's Next for Computer Science in the Coming Decades? | date=January 2019 | last1=Emmy and Shamiga Dominic| first1=Itx }}</ref> The [[Tiv language]] is spoken by over 5 million people in [[Nigeria]], with a few speakers in Cameroon. Most of the language's Nigerian speakers are found in [[Benue State|Benue]], [[Taraba State|Taraba]], [[Nasarawa State|Nasarawa]], [[Plateau State|Plateau]], Cross River, [[Adamawa State|Adamawa]], [[Kaduna State|Kaduna]], Niger, Kogi and the [[Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria)|Federal Capital Territory Abuja]]. The language is a branch of [[Benue–Congo]] and ultimately of the [[Niger–Congo]] phylum. In pre-colonial times, the [[Fulani]] ethnic group referred to the Tiv as "Munchi" (also sometimes written Munshi e.g. Duggan, E. de C. 1932),<ref name=":1">{{cite journal |title=Notes on the Munshi ('Tivi') tribe of northern Nigeria |issue=123 |pages=173–182 |url=https://glottolog.org/resource/reference/id/12344 |journal=Journal of the African Soc.|date=1932 |volume=31 |last1=Duggan |first1=E. de C. }}</ref> a term not accepted by the Tiv people.
==History==
The Tiv believe they moved into their present ___location from the [[Southeast Africa|southeast]] of Africa. It is claimed<ref name="Mark Cartwright">{{cite web|url=https://www.worldhistory.org/bantu_migration|title=Bantu Migration|author=Mark Cartwright|date=11 April 2019|publisher=[[World History Encyclopedia]]}}</ref> that the Tiv left their Bantu kin and wandered through [[Southern Africa|southern]], [[Central Africa|south-central]] and [[Central Africa|west-central]] Africa before returning to the [[savanna]]h lands of [[Sudan|West African Sudan]] via the [[Congo River|River Congo]] and [[South Cameroon Plateau|Cameroon Mountains]] and settled at Swem, the region adjoining Cameroon and Nigeria at the beginning of 1600[[Common Era|C.E.]],<ref name="Mark Cartwright"/> which was originally the Bantu cradle and home. "Coming down," as they put it, was in batches.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The 'Descent' of the Tiv from Ibenda Hill |journal=Africa |date=October 1954 |volume=24 |issue=4 |pages=295–310 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/africa/article/abs/descent-of-the-tiv-from-ibenda-hill/74124E735B0231433F0060A58ABA45A5 |publisher=Cambridge University Press. B. Akiga Sai and Paul Bohannan|doi=10.2307/1156710 |jstor=1156710 |last1=Sai |first1=B. Akiga |last2=Bohannan |first2=Paul |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Some moved southward across [[Obudu Plateau]], others moved downward spreading over Mdema and Waka district which is present day [[Taraba State|central and Southern Taraba]], while others moved into the Benue valley in present-day [[Middle Belt|central Nigeria]].<ref name=":5">{{cite journal |title=The Migration and Expansion of the Tiv |journal=Africa |date=January 1954 |volume=24 |issue=1 |pages=2–16 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/africa/article/abs/migration-and-expansion-of-the-tiv/CFDF49127E7736C4E432E8757022C588 |publisher=Cambridge University Press. Paul Bohannan|doi=10.2307/1156730 |jstor=1156730 |last1=Bohannan |first1=Paul |url-access=subscription }}</ref> These dispersions took place during the early 1600 CE to 1700 CE.
Over time, as [[social interaction]]s began and new migrants came into Nigeria, they mingled with [[Fulani]] at their northern axis to which they foster a relationship calling each other "Jo". Hence Tiv people called [[Fulani]] as Fulanijo, Fulani in turn called Tiv, Tivjo. The Fulani also called them Munchi, which the Tiv see as derogatory and unacceptable.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://journals.co.za/doi/pdf/10.10520/EJC100744 |title=The Narratives of Origin and Migration of the Tiv People (Of Nigeria) as an Indigenous Interpretive Resource for the Interpretation of the Book of Exodus |last=Weor |first=Jonathan T |journal=Scriptura |date=2013 |volume=90 |issue= |pages=885–891|doi=10.7833/90-0-1076 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
[[File:Tiv bronze snuff-taker.jpg|left|thumb|Bronze Tiv snuff-taker, c. 1932 (© The Trustees of the British museum)|190x190px]]
The Tiv people were a free people without a [[king]]; hence every [[clan]] or kindred was administered by the eldest man called "Orya". They were amongst the first inhabitants of the Benue Valley (according to Mark Cartwright's<ref>{{cite web |title=Bantu Migration |url=https://www.worldhistory.org/Bantu_Migration/ |publisher=Mark Cartwright}}</ref> record of [[Bantu languages|Bantu]] migration) before other tribes finally migrated to join them. Due to their peaceful disposition and dispersed nature of living, with no Central government nor king, they posed no threat to new migrants to the region who cohabited with them until the coming of [[Western Europe|the Europeans]]. The Europeans first contact with Tiv was in the [[18th century]]. Note that the time of encounter with the Europeans does not mean their time of migration. Their late recognition was due to the lack of [[kingship]] which became a big disadvantage to Tiv in [[Nigeria]] because the [[Colonial Nigeria|colonial masters]] preferred working with kings, which prompted the Tiv to clamor for and install a king( [[Tor Tiv]]) in the 1940s.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Notes on the Munshi tribe and language |url=https://glottolog.org/resource/reference/id/18129 |journal=Journal of the African Society |date=1916 |volume=XVI |issue=LXI-LXII |pages=52-61, 143-148 |last1=Judd |first1=A. S. }}</ref>
When the Tiv were found on the banks of the [[Benue River]] and were discovered to be distinct from other [[List of ethnic groups in Nigeria|ethnic minorities]], and were the major occupants of the Benue Valley, much curiosity was aroused and immediately the Europeans identified them as the bantus before doing other comprehensive studies on all other aspects of their culture. This was because the Europeans had previously encountered other bantu groups in central and southern Africa.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The British 'Pacification' of the Tiv 1900-1908 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41856988 |publisher=Historical Society of Nigeria. Obaro Ikime|jstor=41856988 |last1=Ikimẹ |first1=Obaro |journal=Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria |date=1973 |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=103–109 }}</ref>
The [[Southern Nigeria Regiment|British forces]] entered the Tivlands from the east in 1906, when there was tension between the Tiv and other minorities within the Benue valley. The Tiv approach to battle, fighting techniques, weapons, physique and facial structure weren't any different from those of other bantu groups they had encountered in Southern and Central Africa. The Tiv said in 1950 that they had defeated this British force, then later invited the British in for negotiations. The [[southern Nigeria Protectorate|southern area]] was penetrated from the [[Cross River (Nigeria)|south-south]]; what the [[Vandeikya|southern Tiv people]] refer to as "the eruption" of the British that occurred in 1911.{{cn|date=February 2025}}
[[File:Carl Arriens and two men in a Tiv village, Salatu, Benue regio, 1911, Frobenius.jpg|right|thumb|Photo by Leo Frobenius of a Tiv village in August 1911|190x190px]]
The Tiv came into contact with [[European culture]] during the [[Colonial Nigeria|colonial period]]. During November 1907 to spring 1908, an expedition of the [[Southern Nigeria Regiment]] led by [[Lieutenant-Colonel]] [[Hugh Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard|Hugh Trenchard]] came into contact with the Tiv. Trenchard brought gifts for the elders. Subsequently, roads were built and trade links established between Europeans and the Tiv.<ref>{{cite book |last=Boyle |first=Andrew |author-link=Andrew Boyle (journalist) |title=Trenchard Man of Vision |year=1962 |publisher=[[HarperCollins|Collins]] |___location=St James's Place, London |pages=88–90}}</ref> But before the construction of roads began, a missionary named [[Mary Slessor]] went throughout the region seeing to the people's needs.<ref>{{cite book |title=Political Aspects of Tiv Social Organization. In Middleton, J. and Tait, D. (eds.), Tribes Without Rulers, 33-66. |chapter=Political Aspects of Tiv Social Organization |date=1957 |pages=33–66 |chapter-url=https://glottolog.org/resource/reference/id/672591 |publisher=Bohannan, L. 1957}}</ref>
The Tiv people and their lands were hence the last area in Nigeria of consequence to be brought under the British control.
== Social and political organization ==
{{See also|Tor Tiv}}
[[File:Traditional council.jpg|left|thumb|A group of Tiv chiefs at an event]]
Most Tiv have a highly developed sense of [[genealogy]], with descent being reckoned [[patrilineally]]. Ancestry is traced to an ancient individual named Tiv, who had two sons; all Tiv consider themselves a member either of Ichongo (translated in English as circumcised) or of Ipusu<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Tiv Genealogy – Tiv Nation |url=https://t.tivcl.com/tiv-genealogy/ |access-date=2022-09-03 |language=en-US}}</ref> (translated in English as uncircumcised). Ichongo and Ipusu are each divided into several major branches, which in turn are divided into smaller branches. The smallest branch, or minimal lineage, is the ''ipaven''.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uMv0CAAAQBAJ&q=tiv+chongo+pusu&pg=PT915|title=Encyclopedia of African Religion|last1=Asante|first1=Molefi Kete|last2=Mazama|first2=Ama|date=2008-11-26|publisher=SAGE Publications|isbn=9781506317861|pages=915|language=en}}</ref> Members of an ''ipaven'' tend to live together, the local kin-based community being called the "tar".<ref name="Tribes without rulers"/> This form of social organisation, called a [[segmentary lineage]], is seen in various parts of the world, but it is particularly well known from African societies (Middleton and Tait 1958).<ref>{{cite journal |title=Tribes without rulers. Studies in African segmentary systems |journal=Journal of African Law |date=April 1960 |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=59–60 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-african-law/article/abs/john-middleton-and-david-tait-editors-tribes-without-rulers-studies-in-african-segmentary-systems-london-1958-routledge-kegan-paul-xi-234-pp-28s/3CDF4F321914076B8AF1CCF06ABB07C3 |publisher=Cambridge University Press|doi=10.1017/S0021855300000553 |last1=Allott |first1=A. N. |url-access=subscription }}</ref> The Tiv are the best-known example in West Africa of a society of [[segmentary lineage]], as documented by [[Laura Bohannan]] (1952) and by Paul and Laura Bohannan (1953); in [[East Africa]], the best-known example is the [[Nuer people|Nuer]], documented by [[E.E. Evans-Pritchard]] (1940).
The Tiv had no administrative divisions and no chiefs nor councils. Leadership was based on age, influence and affluence. The leaders' functions were to furnish safe conduct, arbitrate disputes within their lineages, sit on moots and lead their people in all external and internal affairs.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bOdSMvlA7zsC&q=tiv+leadership&pg=PA105|title=Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Nigeria|last1=Okehie-Offoha|first1=Marcellina Ulunma|last2=Sadiku|first2=Matthew N. O.|date=1996|publisher=Africa World Press|isbn=9780865432833|pages=105|language=en}}</ref>
These socio-political arrangements caused great frustration to British attempts to incorporate the population into [[Colonial Nigeria]] and establish an administration on the lower Benue. The strategy of [[indirect rule]], which the British felt to be highly successful in regards to ruling over the [[Hausa people|Hausa]] and [[Fula people|Fulani]] populations in Northern Nigeria, was ineffective in a segmentary society like the Tiv (Dorward David Craig 1969).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Doward |first1=David Craig |title=The Development of British Colonial Administration among the Tiv, 1900-1949 |journal=African Affairs: The Journal of the Royal African Society |date=1969 |volume=68 |issue=273 |pages=316–333 |url=https://www.africabib.org/rec.php?RID=183701208 |publisher=Leiden University catalogue|doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.afraf.a095924 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Colonial officers tried various approaches to administration, such as putting the Tiv under the control of the nearby [[Jukun people (West Africa)|Jukun]], and trying to exert control through the councils of elders ("Jir Tamen"); these met with little success. The colonial administration in 1934 categorised the Tiv into [[Clan]]s, Kindreds, and Family Groups. The British appointed native heads of these divisions as well.
[[File:Tiv in america.jpg|thumb|The Mutual Union of Tivs (MUTA)]]
Members of the Tiv group are found in many areas across the globe, such as the [[Nigerian Americans|United States]] and [[British Nigerian|United Kingdom]]. In these countries, they hold unions, known as MUT<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nation |first=Tiv |title=Mzough U Tiv U.K |url=https://t.tivcl.com/mzough-u-tiv-u-k/ |access-date=2022-09-03 |language=en-US}}</ref> (Mzough U Tiv, or Mutual Union of Tiv in English), where members can assemble and discuss issues concerning their people across the world, but especially back in Nigeria. The arm of the MUT serving the United States of America is known as MUTA (Mzough U Tiv ken Amerika, or Mutual Union of the Tiv in America), for instance.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mutual Union of the Tiv in America |url=https://muta.org/ |publisher=MUTA Inc}}</ref>
==Language==
{{Main|tiv language}}
The Tiv people have always had their history in [[oral tradition]] and have had all the Tiv people to speak [[tiv language|the language]]. There is no evidence of an ancient script or write up of the language.
The first reference to the language was by [[Sigismund Koelle]] in 1854 from freed slaves in [[Sierra Leone]] according to his study [[Polyglotta Africana]].
The [[Tiv language]] classification has been debated as either [[semi-Bantu]] or [[Bantu languages|bantu]]. Even though, Sir [[Harry Johnston|Johnston Harry H]].<ref name="Bibliography of the Bantu and semi-Bantu languages">{{cite book |title=A Comparative Study of the Bantu and Semi-Bantu Languages. |date=1919 |url=https://glottolog.org/resource/reference/id/161489 |publisher=Oxford University Press}}</ref> classified it in 1919 and later Talbot P. Amaury in 1926 as [[Semi-Bantu]], [[Roy Clive Abraham]]<ref>{{cite book |title=The grammar of Tiv |date=1933 |url=https://glottolog.org/resource/reference/id/135387 |publisher=Abraham, Roy Clive}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=A dictionary of the tiv language |date=1940 |url=https://glottolog.org/resource/reference/id/7621 |publisher=Abraham, Roy Clive}}</ref> together with the South African missionary, Rev W. A. Malherbe in 1933 classified it as [[Bantu languages|bantu]] after making a complete linguistic study of the language. Abraham stated that the language vocabulary of the Tiv people and the [[Nyanza Province|East African Nyanza group]] have a lot of similarities.
== Society and culture ==
===Religion and culture===
{{Main|Tiv people beliefs and religion}}
{{See also|N.K.S.T}}
The Tiv are predominantly Christians. Christianity dates back to 1911 when the first Dutch missionaries from Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa arrived at the Tiv village in [[Katsina-Ala]] local government of Benue State called Sai. They established the [[N.K.S.T]]. There are other Tiv beliefs such as akombo, tsav, etc.
===Dressing (A'nger)===
[[File:A tiv dressing attire.jpg|left|thumb|Tiv attire|190x190px]]
The traditional attire is the black-and-white-striped ''a'nger''.<ref name=":03"/> When the Tiv people arrived at their current ___location several centuries earlier, they discovered that the zebra they used to hunt for meat and skin, used for ceremonial attire, was not native to the area. When they acquired the skill of the loom, they decided to honor their heritage by weaving a cloth with black-and-white stripes, reminiscent of the zebra skin; this would then be made the preferred attire. Initially, it was a simple cloth to be draped around the torso. Nowadays, it is made into elaborate robes, such as those worn by the traditional rulers and elders – from the [[James Ayatse|Tor Tiv]] downwards.
The black-and-white color of the necklaces worn by the traditional rulers has been chosen to match the robes.
'''Other Tiv cultural clothes are''' <br />
Ivavtyo, Lishi, Gbev-whaa, Godo, Tugudu, Chado, Deremen, Gbagir, Anger etc.
===Circumcision and body scarification===
In Tiv mythology and history, [[Circumcision]] is almost as old as the [[Tiv language]] itself. Tiv who is the progenitor of the Tiv people had two sons; '''Ichongo''' which means circumcised, '''Ipusu''' which means uncircumcised. The two sons are the two major houses on which the Tiv kingship is rotated upon.
[[Circumcision]] has evolved with time among the Tiv people. Today, it is performed a few days after childbirth at the hospitals. Circumcision practiced in [[Circumcision in Africa|Central Africa]]<ref>{{cite journal |title=Circumcision among the Tiv |journal=Man |date=1954 |volume=54 |pages=2–6 |url=https://ehrafworldcultures.yale.edu/cultures/ff57/documents/023 |publisher=Bohannan, Paul |last1=Bohannan |first1=Paul |doi=10.2307/2795492 |jstor=2795492 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> among the [[Bantu peoples]] evolved as each group spread out.
Between the 18th and 20th centuries, the Tiv circumcised the male children when they became teenagers. A [[pickaxe]] (ityogh) was the tool of choice and then a razor blade (atsem) became popular in the 20th century.
During the Tiv-Fulani cohabitation, the Tiv people carried no ethnic facial marks nor any bodily cicatrices. After the separation with the [[Fulani]], they adopted some distinct body tattoos in other to distinguish themselves from other tribes just the way the Fulani did.
The young men tattooed their faces, pierced their ears and sometimes sharpened their teeth. The young ladies tattooed their abdomens and pierced their ears.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The religious significance of women's scarification among the Tiv |journal=Africa |date=July 1975 |volume=45 |issue=3 |pages=316–326 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/africa/article/abs/religious-significance-of-womens-scarification-among-the-tiv/4B4A2D8F45BF0E42FA155350CDE498F9 |publisher=Cambridge University Press|doi=10.2307/1159636 |jstor=1159636 |last1=Lincoln |first1=Bruce |url-access=subscription }}</ref>
=== Music and entertainment ===
[[File:Kpatema.jpg|thumb|Tiv cultural dance, the cat dance (tsue tsele)|190x190px]]
Locally made musical instruments were traditionally used for political, ceremonial communication and entertainment. The key instruments follow.
====Kakaki====
The [[kakaki]] is a royal trumpet used in many West African groups in Nigeria, [[Niger]], [[Chad]] and [[Burkina Faso]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201307011559.html|title=Nigeria: The Mystique of the Kakaki|last=Lere|first=Ismaila|date=2013-07-01|work=Daily Trust (Abuja)|access-date=2018-06-01}}</ref> This is an instrument used to convey special messages to the people of the community, such as the birth of the child of the King, his naming ceremony, the crowning of a new king, or to gather people together during the marriage ceremony of the king and the king's son's marriage ceremony.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/sunday/index.php/newsroyale/13530-the-mystique-of-the-kakaki |title=The mystique of the Kakaki |website=www.dailytrust.com.ng |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810172245/https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/sunday/index.php/newsroyale/13530-the-mystique-of-the-kakaki |archive-date=2017-08-10}}</ref> This instrument was used to convey all the messages to the people to assemble at the square for the ceremony. When there is an enemy attack on the community, a warning sound of the Kakaki is blown to alert those who can defend the society and every citizen to be alert.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-06 |title=Traditional Musical Instrument: The Royal-Blowing 'Kakaki' Trumpet {{!}} EveryEvery |url=https://everyevery.ng/traditional-musical-instrument-the-royal-blowing-kakaki-trumpet/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=everyevery.ng |language=en-US}}</ref>
====Ilyu====
A light wooden instrument, the ilyu was used to pass messages to the people of the village, probably for the invitation of the people for a particular meeting of the elders at the king's palace or for the people to gather at the market square for a message from or by the king. Up until today, it is the main instrument for the celebration of newly wedded couples (marriage reception ceremony or Kwase-kuhan).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-12-22 |title=The Culture And Tradition Of The Tiv People Of Benue State, Nigeria |url=https://infoguidenigeria.com/the-tiv-people/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=InfoGuideNigeria.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
====Indyer====
[[File:Indyer.jpg|left|thumb|A Tiv indyer at a burial|190x190px]]
The indyer is a heavy wooden instrument carved out of [[mahogany]] trunk through some mysterious way; myth has it that a chosen carver turns into a worm to create the large hollow in the cut trunk, leaving only a small opening (like in a medical operation). This belief is perhaps due to the fact that the carvers are reluctant to explain the technique employed for such artistic finesse. The indyer, believed to be connected with high [[Magic (supernatural)|magico-spiritual]] potency, is not played for secular purposes except for special occasions as sanctioned by the elders. It is used to communicate the death of an important personality in the community or to communicate a serious happening in the community, like a call to war.<ref>{{cite web |title=Understanding Swange dance of the Tiv people of central Nigeria within the perspective of socio-political changes |url=https://www.journalofpoliticalscience.com/uploads/archives/2-2-43-598.pdf |publisher=International journal political science and governance}}</ref>
====Akya====
It is used together with the agbande [[Drum|(drums)]] combined with the ageda at festivals to pass a message across to the people for a call for the display of culture.
====Adiguve====
It is an instrument like a [[violin]], used for music and dances in conjunction with Agbande (Agbande) at festivals and dance occasions, sometimes to announce the death of a leader or an elder of the community. During this period it is played sorrowfully for the mourning of the dead. It is mostly played at funerals.
====Gbande====
Agbande (plural) are a set of crafted wooden musical instruments used to complement agbande at festivals. They are particularly large and are played by the young men of the community. Special drum beats communicate special messages and music for the festivals to come and during the festivals, for instance, royal occasions such as the coronation and funeral.
====Ortindin (Ortyom) – Messenger====
Usually, he is chosen by the elders of the community to do errands for the elders and the leader of the community. He is sent out to the heads of the neighbouring families for a crucial meeting at the head of all the leaders of the community.
====Kolugh ku Bua ====
This is an instrument similar to the [[shofar]], made out of cow horns. There are farmers' associations that use this instrument when they have a job to do; for instance, when they are invited to make ridges on a piece of land, the [[Public relations officer|Public Relations Officer]] (PRO) of the association will use this medium to wake up the members for the work they have for that day.
Indigenous communication is not only vertical, from the rulers to the subjects, but is also horizontal. Individuals communicate with society through physical and metaphysical means. A farm owner, for example, may mount a charm conspicuously on his farm in order to stress private ownership and to scare off human intruders.
The fear of herbalists and witches influences social behaviour considerably.
Rainmakers communicate their power to disrupt events through various psychological means. Village sectors in Africa communicate mostly via the marketplace of ideas contributed by traditional religion, observances, divination, mythology, age-grades, the Chiefs courts, the elder's square, secret and title societies, the village market square, the village drum (gbande) men, indeed the total experiences of the villager in his environment.
Unlike the mass media, access to the native media is culturally determined and not economic. Only the selected group of young men or the elders can disseminate information generally. The young only disseminate general information about events and the social welfare of their communities using the media mentioned above.
The Tiv people of Benue state still practise some of this traditional system of communication, using the Kakais, Agbande, Indyer, Adiguve, Ilyu, etc. Nevertheless, the increase in the western world media is threatening the cultural communication system.
Many of the communities in Benue state still use these instruments to convey messages to the people of their community, and it is helping a great deal, since there is a language barrier between people with the introduction of the western world's means of communication, using a western language (English) to convey information.
=== Drama ===
{{Main|Kwagh-Hir}}
[[File:Kwagh-hir mask.jpg|left|thumb|A 1960s kwagh-hir mask|190x190px]]
The Tiv use a style of performing arts called [[Kwagh-Hir|Kwagh-hir]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ikyer |first1=Godwin Aondofa |title=The Tiv Typology |journal=Matatu |date=2016 |volume=48 |issue=2 |pages=309–334 |doi=10.1163/18757421-04802006 }}</ref> It is a [[storytelling]] method which uses carved masks and puppetry as a form of masquerade. [[Masquerade ceremony|Masquerade]] is used as a way for individuals of Tiv culture to express themselves. The Tiv use this style as a way to hide their identity and take the role of spiritual beings known as adzov.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Harding |first1=Frances |title='To Present the Self in a Special Way': Disguise and Display in Tiv 'Kwagh-hir' Performance |journal=African Arts |date=Winter 1998 |volume=31 |issue=1 |pages=56–96 |doi=10.2307/3337624 |jstor=3337624 }}</ref> The performers hide their identities, only to be revealed by their individual styles at the end of the performances.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Harding |first1=Frances |title=R. C. Abraham and the Tiv People |journal=African Languages and Cultures. Supplement |date=1992 |issue=1 |pages=147–161 |jstor=586685 }}</ref>
''' Tiv plays '''
The Tiv use their plays as a way to tell traditional legends, retell events, and politics.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Harper |first1=Peggy |title=The Kwagh-hir of the People of Tiv: a Note on Dramatised History Telling and Constructions of Nature among the Tiv of Southern Nigeria |journal=Environment and History |date=1 October 1997 |volume=3 |issue=3 |pages=371–376 |doi=10.3197/096734097779555845 |url=http://www.environmentandsociety.org/node/2949 }}</ref> A few popular plays in Tiv culture include:
* ''A Close Shave -'' Chris Kyoive
* ''Sons of Akpe'' - Boniface Leva
* ''Adan Wade'' - Suemo Chia<ref name="The story of Adan Wade">{{cite book |url=https://search.library.wisc.edu/catalog/999944686802121 |title=The story of Adan-Wade : A Tiv classic |date=2001 |publisher=Abogom Print. and Paper Mills }}</ref>
=== Traditional marriage in Tiv culture ===
[[File:Tiv bride and groom.jpg|thumb|Tiv bride and groom|190x190px]]
[[Marriage]] is, of course, one of the prominent features of Tiv culture, which is quite rich and developed in many areas. Traditional marriage among the Tiv is still seen as a significant cultural occasion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fakunle |first=Mike |date=2022-03-21 |title=Traditional Marriage Requirements in Tiv, Benue State (2023) |url=https://nigerianinfofinder.com/traditional-marriage-requirements-tiv-benue-state/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707142532/https://nigerianinfofinder.com/traditional-marriage-requirements-tiv-benue-state/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 7, 2022 |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Nigerian Infofinder |language=en-US}}</ref> Tiv's marriage is not just the union between a husband and a wife but the entire family.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Traditional Marriage – Tiv Nation |url=https://t.tivcl.com/traditional-marriage/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-29 |title=Tiv Culture: A brief walk into the lives of one of the world's greatest storytellers |url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/food-travel/tiv-culture-a-brief-walk-into-the-lives-of-one-of-the-worlds-greatest-storytellers/njktygn |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Pulse Nigeria |language=en}}</ref>
'''Yamshe''': This type of marriage was practiced by the fore-fathers and involves the exchange of sisters to marry couples. Previously, two men might swap sisters or families, exchanging daughters for spouses.<ref name=":2" /> A man looking for a wife who comes across another looking for a wife will exchange daughters or sisters.<ref name=":0" />
'''Kwase Tsuen''': This is a union induced by captivity. A man would kidnap a girl forcefully, or a family would do it for their son. It is used in some remote Tiv areas.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" />
'''Iye:''' In Tiv land, [[courtship]] or dating is the norm. The man meets a girl, pays her additional visits, and gives his family some things. Sometimes the girl and the man decide to run away secretly with the intention of getting married without parental consent, and sometimes the girl is taken home after the man pays the bride price.<ref name=":2" />
'''Kwase- Kemen''': This is a type of marriage that is currently practiced in Tiv Land: bride-price marriage. After extensive courtship (Iye), the man visits the girl's family, pays the money, and offers the gifts the girl's family listed.<ref name=":2" />
In 1927, the intricate Tiv system of trade marriage was abolished and bride-wealth marriages took its place<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Tiv {{!}} Traditional Culture, Social Structure & Rituals {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tiv |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>
====Tiv's traditional marriage attire====
Tiv people dress in vibrant colors, and the groom and bride's outfit appears to be among the most significant aspects of a wedding. The garments produced with A'nger material have black and white stripes, which are the most constant feature.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TIV Ethnic Group - Good Nigeria |url=https://goodnigeria.com/tiv-ethnic-group/ |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=goodnigeria.com|date=2 March 2020 |last1=Nigeria |first1=Good }}</ref> Without a variety of accessories, such as headpieces, [[bracelet]]s, or [[necklace]]s, wedding apparel is also unattainable. Beads in shades of black and white are the most common type.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fakunle |first=Mike |date=2022-03-21 |title=Traditional Marriage Requirements in Tiv, Benue State (2023) |url=https://nigerianinfofinder.com/traditional-marriage-requirements-tiv-benue-state/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707142532/https://nigerianinfofinder.com/traditional-marriage-requirements-tiv-benue-state/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 7, 2022 |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=Nigerian Infofinder |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Types of Marriage in Tiv Culture ===
There are three types of marriages in Tiv culture this include:
* Kwase- Nguher, otherwise known as Elopement.
* Kwem Kwase, known as Bride price and
* The Yamhegh, also known as Exchange Marriage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Life |first=Green Web |date=2024-12-19 |title=The Customs & Practices Surrounding a Tiv Marriage |url=https://greenweblife.com/the-customs-practices-surrounding-a-tiv-marriage/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Greenweblife |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Cuisine===
The common Tiv food are mostly solid, cooked, pounded or prepared with hot water. They are mostly carbohydrates or by-products of [[Yam (vegetable)|yams]] (iyou), [[cocoyam]] (mondu), [[cassava]] (alogo), [[beans]] (alev), [[maize]] (kyuleke), etc. The Tiv are known to be the food basket of Nigeria.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hidden Treasures - Opportunities for Growth in the Food Basket |url=https://www.undp.org/nigeria/blog/hidden-treasures-opportunities-growth-food-basket}}</ref>
Tiv have been identified by the British with the [[sesame seed]] as the British named it Beni-seed because it was the major cash crop exported to Europe and other colonies from the Benue valley.<ref name=":4">{{cite web |title=Geographical regions of Nigeria |url=https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520327108-019 |publisher=University of California Press |doi=10.1525/9780520327108-019 |ref=Reuben K Udo}}</ref>
Some common Tiv foods are [[pounded yam|ruam kumen]] (pounded yam), [[fufu|ruam nahan]] (fufu), [[Asaro (food)|pete]] (yam pottage), [[Asaro (food)|Akuto]] (sweet potato pottage), [[okpa|akpukpa]] (Okpa), [[Ogi (food)|Ibyer]] (fermented cereal pudding) etc.
*'''Soups''': [[Egusi|Ichegh]], Pocho, ager, [[Ogbono soup|ive]], genger, [[ewedu soup|atyever]], tur, vambe, igyo, agbende ashwe, [[Solanum aethiopicum|mngishim]](garden egg soup), ashwe, [[Draw soup|Atuur]], vegetable soup, ijôv (mushroom soup), aninge, furum`, adenger, gbungu, gbande.
*'''Tiv staples''': Roasted yams, ahuma, [[Jollof rice]], fried yams, [[Akara|kuese]] etc.
*'''Beverages''': [[palm wine|tyo]], burukutu, [[soy milk|atemba a suwanbin]], ibyer.
*'''Snacks''': Peanuts and sesame (beni-seed), asondo (dried sweet potatoes), igbough ahi (roasted or boiled bambara nuts), mzembe (roasted pears), huu (roasted termites), kuese (beans cake), N'gyata (peanut paste).
<br />
<gallery class="center" mode="packed" heights="95" classes="center" caption="Tiv cultural dishes">
File:Tiv food.jpg|pounded yam and assorted soup
File:Burukutu.png|Burukutu
File:Gnuts and sesame.png|peanuts and sesame
File:Ibyer.jpg|Ibyer
File:Chicken and sesame.jpg|kyegh sha ishwa
File:Mzembe.png|Mzembe or pears
File:Roasted yam.png|Roasted yam
</gallery>
==Demographics==
=== Cameroon ===
According to the 2005 census results in Cameroon,<ref>{{cite web |title=Répertoire actualisé des villages du Cameroun |url=https://ireda.ceped.org/inventaire/ressources/cmr-2005-rec_v4.7_repertoire_actualise_villages_cameroun.pdf |publisher=BUREAU CENTRAL DES RECENSEMENTS ET DES ETUDES DE POPULATION. 2005}}</ref> there were 87,252 <ref>{{cite web |title=Tivoid Survey |url=https://www.sil.org/system/files/reapdata/72/81/31/72813130397720480534790620191547827040/silesr2008_022.pdf |publisher=Alan Starr and Clark Regnier}}</ref> Tivoid people at [[Akwaya]] sub-division, located at the south-western border of Cameroon [[Manyu (department)|Manyu]] division, with [[Mamfe]] as its capital, which is 74 km away from the south eastern Nigerian border. The Cameronian Tiv are well educated and live in [[Anglophone Cameroonians|Anglophone Cameroon]] as their ancestral land, while a few others live in the [[Languages of Cameroon|francophone region]]. They are mostly farmers but others work in the government. Some of their towns and villages are Njawbaw(Njobo), Assumbo, Ballin, Batanga, Bagundu, Bakinjaw, Assaka etc.<ref name=":3" />
The Ikyurav-tiev of [[Katsina-Ala]] were some of the last Nigerian Tiv people to migrate from here. They are still known in Cameroon as the Ekol.<ref name=":1" />
Although some Nigerian Tiv people are unaware of some of the Tiv groups of the Cameroon because of the international border but, these groups always consider themselves Tiv because they are basically the same people lost in undocumented history. Some of them have an additional dialect to the main [[Tiv language]]. They also constitute some of the major Tiv clans in Nigeria like the Iyon(Kwande), Utange(Ushongo) etc.<ref name=":4" />
The Cameroonian Tiv groups are; [[Bitare]], [[Mesaka language|Mesaka]], [[Iyive language|Iyive]], [[Iceve-Maci language|Ceve or Becheve]], [[Evant language|Evant]], [[Eman language|Eman]], [[Ipulo language|Ipulo]], [[Caka language|Caka]], Undir, Oliti etc. They together with the Tiv in Nigeria share the same [[culture]], [[language]], [[History]], [[Religion]], and [[Tradition]]. They occupy a total of 99 villages in the [[Akwaya]] sub-division covering an area of 3,682 square kilometers, which is their major homogenous population.<ref name=":5" />
===Nasarawa state===
The local governments with the highest concentration of Tiv people in Nasarawa state are; [[Doma, Nigeria|Doma]], [[Nasarawa, Nasarawa State|Nasarawa]], [[Lafia]], [[Obi, Nasarawa State|Obi]], [[Keana]], and [[Awe, Nigeria|Awe]] Local Government Areas.
Here they live in the southern part of the state which is also the south senatorial district. The Tiv clans here are the Isherev, Utyondu, Nongov and [[Vandeikya|kunav]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Abraham |first1=R. C. |title=Tiv people Muri province |journal=Anthrolopological Office Northern Nigeria |page=SNP 17/18 |ref=National archive}}</ref> They have lived here since the 16th century which predates the colonial era. They live with other tribes like the Koro, Gwandara, Kamberi, and Alago.<ref>{{cite book |title=The History of Political Change Among the Tiv in the 19th and 20th Centuries | date=1994 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O2J0AAAAMAAJ |publisher=Fourth Dimension Pub. Makar Tesemchi| isbn=978-978-156-389-8 }}</ref>
In the early 60s and colonial times, The Lafia division was different from the munshi (Tiv) division.<ref name="Tribes without rulers">{{cite book |chapter=POLITICAL ASPECTS OF TIV SOCIAL ORGANIZATION |chapter-url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/mono/10.4324/9781315017358-11/political-aspects-tiv-social-organization-john-middleton-david-tait |publisher=Routledge|doi=10.4324/9781315017358 |title=Tribes Without Rulers |date=2013 |last1=Middleton |first1=John |last2=Tait |first2=David |isbn=978-1-136-53213-9 }}</ref> The population of the Tiv in the Lafia division in 1963 was recorded to be 289, 559 people. The total population of the Lafia division in 1963 was 424, 219 people. This gave the Tiv 49.2 percent of the total population. The 1991 census however did not show demographics by tribes but this alone makes Tiv the dominant ethnic group in the Nasarawa south senatorial district.<ref>{{cite web |title=Conflict and incorporation in Nigeria |url=https://search.worldcat.org/title/conflict-and-incorporation-in-nigeria-the-integration-of-the-tiv/oclc/499518062?referer=di&ht=edition |publisher=Gaskiya corporation Zaria. Justin Iyorbee Tseayo}}</ref>
'''Notable people''' <br>
[[Emmanuel Kucha|Prof Emmanuel Kucha]]--- former VC [[University of Agriculture, Makurdi]]<br>
Hon Athanasius Tyo --- 1979 – 1983 House of representatives [[Awe]], [[Keana]], [[Doma, Nigeria|Doma]] federal constituency.<br>
Emmanuel Orshio – 1983 House of representatives [[Awe]], [[Keana]], [[Doma, Nigeria|Doma]] federal constituency.<br>
Solomon Ihuman --- Commissioner for culture and tourism.<br>
Philip Audu -------- Permanent Secretary water resources.
===Taraba state===
The [[Ukum]], [[Logo, Nigeria|Ugondo]], [[Katsina-Ala|Shitile]], [[Vandeikya|Kunav]], [[Konshisha|Gaav]] and [[Kwande|Shangev]] clans are the predominant Tiv clans in [[Taraba state]]. They were some of the first migrants together with the [[Chamba people|Chamba tribes]] between 1750 and 1800.<ref name="Adiele Eberechukwu Afigbo">{{cite book |title=Nigerian History, Politics and Affairs: The Collected Essays of Adiele Afigbo | date=2005 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ez58Dwpa8JcC&dq=wukari+history&pg=PA70 |publisher=Africa world press inc| isbn=978-1-59221-324-5 }}</ref> Their largest populations are in
[[Bali, Nigeria|Bali]], [[Donga, Nigeria|Donga]], [[Ibi, Taraba State|Ibi]], [[Gassol]], [[Takum]], [[Gashaka]], [[Kurmi, Nigeria|Kurmi]] and [[Wukari]] Local Government Areas.<ref>{{cite book |title=Studies in Southern Nigerian History | date=1982 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FYFxE8-uSa4C&pg=PA29 |publisher=Cass, 1982| isbn=978-0-7146-3106-6 }}</ref>
There are also other [[Tivoid languages|Tivoid groups]] like the [[Batu language|Batu]], [[Abon language|Abon]], [[Bitare language|Bitare]] and [[Ambo language (Nigeria)|Ambo]] in [[Sardauna, Taraba State|Sardauna Local government area]].
Some of the popular towns and villages with a homogenous tiv population are, Tor Damsa, Tse Afogba, Tse Kpandi, Tor luam, Deke, China etc.
'''Notable people'''<br>
Hon. Charles Tangu Gaza - 1959 Federal House of Representatives.<br>
Hon. Simon I. Awuah- Gongola State House of Assembly in 1979–1983.<br>
Hon. David K. Mtuam - Gongola State House of Assembly in 1979–1983.<br>
Hon. Simon I. Musa - First Chairman of Wukari Local Government in 1979–1983.<br>
Hon. Hitler Gbaondo - Takum Federal Constituency in the House Representative in 1979–1983.<br>
Hon. Tsetim Gwakyaa - Donga Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in 1983.<br>
Mr. Daniel Orkuma Nav- Former Permanent Secretary, Government House administration.<br>
Mrs. Rebecca Torpeva - Former Adviser to the Governor on political affairs.<br>
Dr. Tor-Agbidye - Former adviser to the Governor.<br>
Mr. Emmanuel Orabunde- Former INEC Commissioner.<br>
[[Anna Darius Ishaku]] - Former first lady of Taraba state.<br>
[[Shaakaa Chira]] - Auditor-General of the Federation
===Plateau state===
There are over 50 tribes in [[Plateau State]]. The first seven in order of numerical strength are; [[Berom people|Berom]], [[Mwaghavul language|Mwaghavul]], [[Tarok language|Tarok]], [[Angas people|Angas]], [[Jarawa language (Nigeria)|Jawara]], Bassa and Tiv.<ref name=":5" />
[[Tiv language|Tiv-speaking]] populations are found in [[Langtang, Nigeria|Langtang South]], [[Shendam]], [[Qua'an Pan|Qua'an-Pan]] and [[Wase, Nigeria|Wase]] area councils.<ref>{{cite web |title=Include Tiv in scheme of things in Plateau |date=27 October 2022 |url=https://dailytrust.com/include-tiv-in-scheme-of-things-in-plateau/ |publisher=Daily trust}}</ref>
===Cross River state===
[[Yala, Nigeria|Yala]], [[Bekwarra]], [[Obudu]] and [[Obanliku]] Local Government Areas.
Together with other tivoid groups like the [[Otank language|Utanga]], [[Iceve-Maci language|Ceve or Becheve]], [[Evant language|Evant]], [[Eman language|Eman]] etc.<ref>{{cite web |title=Utanga: The forgotten Tiv community of Cross River |date=15 December 2013 |url=https://dailytrust.com/utanga-the-forgotten-tiv-community-of-cross-river/ |publisher=Daily trust}}</ref>
=== Benue state ===
[[Tarka, Nigeria|Tarkaa]], [[Makurdi]], [[Gwer East]], [[Gwer West]], [[Ukum]], [[Logo, Nigeria|Logo]], [[Konshisha]], [[Gboko]], [[Kwande]], [[Vandeikya]], [[Katsina Ala]], [[Guma, Nigeria|Guma]], [[Buruku]], and [[Ushongo]] Local Government Areas.
==Notable people==
=== Civil servants, politicians and activists===
[[File:Tarka J. S..jpg|thumb|[[Joseph Tarka|J. S. Tarkaa]], politician, human rights activist|190x190px]]
[[File:Gemade.jpg|thumb|[[Barnabas Gemade]], former PDP presidential candidate|190x190px]]
[[File:John gbor.jpg|thumb|Gen. John Gbor, APGA presidential candidate for 2019 general elections|190x190px]]
* [[Joseph Tarka]], politician, human rights activist
* [[Paul Unongo]], politician, human rights activist
* [[Barnabas Gemade]], former PDP party chairman
* [[Aper Aku]], first civilian governor of Benue state
* [[George Akume]], former senate minority leader
* [[Iyorchia Ayu]], former senate president
* Prof. Ignatius Akaayar Ayua, [[Senior Advocate of Nigeria|SAN]], [[Order of the Federal Republic|OFR]], FNIALS, former Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice, Author
* [[Chaha Biam]], former speaker house of representative
* [[Gabriel Suswam]], politician former governor of Benue state
* [[Terhemba Shija]], politician, academic, poet.
* [[Samuel Ortom]], former State Governor
* [[Hyacinth Alia]], the current State Governor
* [[Daniel Saror]], former minority leader
* [[Michael Aondoakaa]], former attorney general of Nigeria
* [[Moses Adasu]], politician, former Benue state governor
* [[A. I. Katsina-Alu]], former chief justice of Nigeria
* [[Ambrose Feese]], former minister of works and housing.
* [[Iyorwuese Hagher]], former senate deputy chief whip, minister and envoy
* [[Yima Sen]], intellectual and [[Radical politics|radical]] [[political activist]]
* Jerome Tilley Gyado,<ref>{{cite book |title=Jerome Tilley Gyado |date=2005 |publisher=Caltop Pub |isbn=978-978-36443-4-2 |url=https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/7631833}}</ref> Business man, entrepreneur.
*[[Emmanuel Udende]], Senator from Benue state
*[[Titus Zam]], Senator from Benue state
*[[Herman Hembe]], former house of reps member
*[[Dickson Tarkighir]], house of reps member
*Asema Achado , house of reps member.
===Military and law enforcement===
* [[Gideon Orkar]], Nigerian Military officer.
* [[Victor Malu]], former [[Chief of Army Staff (Nigeria)|Chief of Army Staff]]
* [[Joseph Akahan]], first Nigerian [[Chief of Army Staff (Nigeria)|Chief of Army Staff]]
* [[Lawrence Igyuse Doki]], WW 2 veteran and emancipator of [[Makurdi]]
* [[Joseph Akaagerger]], Former Governor of Katsina state
* [[John Mark Inienger]], former [[ECOMOG]] commander
* Commissioner Emmanuel Allagh, Former and prominent commissioner of Nigerian Police
* [[Farida Waziri]], former [[Economic and Financial Crimes Commission|EFCC]] Chairperson
* [[John Kpera]], Military governor of Anambra state.
* General Gabriel Kpamber, former [[ECOMOG]] commander<ref>{{cite web |title=Sierra Leone force accused of sabotage |work=The Guardian |date=8 September 2000 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/sep/09/sierraleone.unitednations |publisher=The guardian International |last1=McGreal |first1=Chris }}</ref>
* Prof. Col. James T. Gire, [[Virginia Military Institute]], USA<ref>{{cite web |title=Faculty and Staff |url=https://www.vmi.edu/academics/departments/psychology/faculty-and-staff/ |publisher=VIrginia military institute}}</ref>
===Athletes===
* [[Terna Suswam]], football player
* [[Dominic Iorfa (footballer, born 1968)|Dominic Iorfa Sr]], football player
* [[Dominic Iorfa (footballer, born 1995)|Dominic Iorfa Jr]] football player
* [[Timothy Anjembe]], football player
* [[David Tyavkase]], football player
* [[Jeff Varem]], NBA D-league player
* [[Terna Nande]], American football player
* [[Apollo Crews]], WWE wrestler
* [[Francisca Ordega]], Nigerian national team soccer player
* Mimisen Iyorhe, FIFA referee<ref>{{cite web |title=Mimisen Iyorhe |url=https://globalsportsmentoring.org/global-sports-mentor-program/emerging-leaders/mimisen-iyorhe-calvin-onwuka/ |publisher=Global sports mentoring}}</ref>
* [[Fanendo Adi]]
*[[Gift Orban]], Nigerian footballer.
* [[Barnabas Imenger Jr.]], Nigerian super eagles striker
* [[Russel Orhii]], World Champion Powerlifter
* [[Moses Kpakor]] Former [[Lobi Stars F.C.|BBL Hawks FC]], [[BCC Lions F.C.]], Electricity FC, [[Abiola Babes F.C.]] and Nigerian National team player.
* [[Amir Angwe]] Former [[BCC Lions F.C.]], [[Bridge F.C.|Julius Berger FC]] and Nigerian National team player.
* [[Tom Iorpenda]], football player
===Culture===
*[[Makir Zakpe]], [[Tor Tiv]] I
* Gondo Aluor, Tor-Tiv II
* Akperan Orshi, Tor-Tiv III
* [[Alfred Akawe Torkula]], [[Tor Tiv]] IV
* James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, Tor-Tiv V
* [[Akiga Sai]], autobiographer and historian
* Tar Ukoh, Musician and General Manager/Chief Executive Officer, National Theatre of Nigeria
* Tarker Augustine Golozo, Traditional Musician
* Tondu Kumbul, Traditional Musician
* Iyough Ute, Traditional Musician
* Obadiah Orkor, Traditional turned Gospel Musician
* Amer Yongu, Traditional Musician
* Agugu Igbakumbur, Traditional Musician
* Nungwa Chaghshor, Traditional Musician
* Aondohemba Ayenge, Traditional Musician
* Israel Terhemba Ikyereve, Gospel Musician
* Pauline Atser, Gospel Musician
===Academics===
* [[James Ayatse]] --- [[Tor Tiv]] V and past VC [[Federal University, Dutsin-Ma]] and [[University of Agriculture, Makurdi|UAM]]
* Aondoaver Tarhule ---- President [[Illinois State University]], USA<ref>{{cite web |title=Faculty and Staff |url=https://geo.illinoisstate.edu/faculty-staff/profile/?ulid=tarhule#fs-tabs-accord1 |publisher=Illinois state university}}</ref>
* [[Emmanuel Kucha|Emmanuel Iornumbe Kucha]] --- past VC [[University of Agriculture, Makurdi]]
* Vershima Daniel Uza—past VC [[University of Agriculture, Makurdi]]
* [[Charity Angya]] --- Past VC [[Benue State University]]
* Richard Kimbir --- past VC [[University of Agriculture, Makurdi]]
* Erastus Orseer Gyang-Gyang --- past VC [[University of Agriculture, Makurdi]]
* [[Msugh Moses Kembe]] --- past VC [[Benue State University]]
* Akase P. Sorkaa --- past VC [[Benue State University]]
* David Ker --- past VC [[Benue State University]]
* Charles Gbilekaa Vajime --- Past VC [[Benue State University]]
* [[Tor Iorapuu|Tor Joe Iorapuu]] --- present VC [[Benue State University]]
==See also==
{{Commons category|Tiv people}}
*[[Tiv language]]
*[[Ate-u-tiv]]
== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
== Further reading ==
*Abraham, R.C. (1933) ''The Tiv People'', Lagos.
*Anifowose, R. (1982) ''Violence and Politics in Nigeria: The Tiv and the Yoruba Experience'', New York: NOK.
*Arinze, F. (1990) ''Africans and Christianity''. Ejiofor, Rev. L. ed. Nsukka: Optimal Computer Solutions Ltd.
*Ayoade, J.A. Agbaje, A.A. eds. (1989) ''African Traditional Political Thought and Institutions''. Lagos: Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC).
*[[Paul J. Bohannan|Bohannan, Paul J.]] & Laura (1953) ''The Tiv of Central Nigeria'' London: International African Institute, 1953.
*{{cite journal |last1=Bohannan |first1=Laura |title=A Genealogical Charter |journal=Africa: Journal of the International African Institute |date=1952 |volume=22 |issue=4 |pages=301–315 |id={{ProQuest|1298690970}} |doi=10.2307/1156915 |jstor=1156915 |s2cid=145557791 }}
*David, T. ed. "Political Aspects of Tiv Social Organisation" in Tribe Without Rules. London: 1958.
*{{cite journal |last1=Dorward |first1=David Craig |title=The Development of the British Colonial Administration among the Tiv, 1900-1949 |journal=African Affairs |date=1969 |volume=68 |issue=273 |pages=316–333 |doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.afraf.a095924 |jstor=720655 }}
*Downes, R.M. The Tiv Tribe. Kaduna: Government Printer, 1933.
*East, R. ed. Akiga's Story. London: 1965.
*Ehusani, G.O. An Afro-Christian Vision "[[Ozovehe]]!." Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America, 1991.
*Evans Pritchard, E.E. (1940). ''The Nuer.'' Oxford Univ. Press, New York.
*Gbor, Capt. J.W.T. Mdugh U Tiv Man Mnyer Ve Ken Benue. Zaria: Gaskiya Publishing Corporation, 1978.
*Hagher, I.H. The Tiv Kwagh-Hir. Ibadan: CBAAC, 1990.
*Ikenga-Metuh, E. Comparative Studies of African Traditional Religion. Onitsha: Imico Publishers, 1987.
*Ikima, O. ed. The Groundwork of Nigerian History. Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Books Nig Ltd. (for the Historical Society of Nigeria), 1980.
*Jibo, M. Tiv Politics Since 1959. Katsina-Ala: Mandate International Limited, 1993.
*Jibo, Mvendaga. Chieftaincy and Politics: The Tor Tiv in the Politics and Administration of Tivland. Frankfurt: Peter Lang AG, 2001. 325 pp. Europäische Hochschulschriften, Reihe 31: Politikwissenschaft Vol. 422 {{ISBN|978-3-631-36816-9}} / US-{{ISBN|978-0-8204-4801-5}} pb.
*Makar, T. A History of Political Change among the Tiv in the 19th and 20th Century. Enugu: Forth Dimension Publishing Co. Ltd., 1994.
*Makar, T. Tiv People in Power Game in Nierian Politic Circa 1950–1983. Makurdi: Government Printer.
*Mbiti, J.S. African Religious and Philosophy. London: Heinemann Press, 1970.
*Middleton, J. & Tait, D. eds. (1958) ''Tribes Without Rulers: Studies in African Segmentary Systems'', Routledge & Paul: London.
*Rubingh, E. (1969) ''Sons of Tiv''. Grand Rapids: Baker House.
*Tseayo, J.I. ''Conflict and Incorporation in Nigeria: The Integration of the Tiv''. Zaria: Gaskiya Corporation Limited, 1975.
*''Vanguard'' Newspaper. Friday December 7, 2001.
*''Vanguard'' Newspaper. Wednesday December 5, 2001.
*Bohannan, P. ''Africa''. Vol. XXIV, No.1, 1954.
*Dorward, D.C. ''African Affairs''. Vol. 68 No.273, London: 1969.
*Ewelu, I.B. ''West African Journal of Philosophical Studies''. Vol.2, December 1999.
*Ikima, O. ''Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria'' Vol. VII No. 1, 1973.
===Unpublished works===
*Akever, E.T. ''The Effects of Yamishe in Tiv Traditional Marriage Culture''. March 2001.
*Akpagher, T. J. ''Israelite Monotheism in Comparison with the Monotheism of the Tiv Traditional Religion''. June 1994.
*Ode, R. ''Developing Christian leadership in Contemporary Tiv Community''. 1991.
*Sorkaa, A.P. ''The Contribution of Traditional Rulers to Rural Development in Nigeria up to the 21st Century''. Paper presented at the National Conference on the Nigerian State at A.B.U. Zaria, 1987.
{{Ethnic groups in Nigeria}}
{{Ethnic groups in Cameroon}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Tiv people]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Nigeria]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Cameroon]]
[[es:Idioma tiv]]
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