Tiv - History and Cultural Relations



The Tiv say they emerged into their present location from the southeast. "Coming down," as they put it, they met the Fulani, with whom they still recognize a joking relationship. The earliest recorded European contact was in 1852, when Tiv were found on the banks of the Benue. In 1879 their occupation of the riverbanks was about the same as in 1950. British occupying forces entered Tivland from the east in 1906, when they were called in to protect a Hausa and Jukun enclave that Tiv had attacked. The Tiv said in 1950 that they had defeated this British force, then later invited the British in. The southern area was penetrated from the south; what southern Tiv call "the eruption" of the British there occurred in 1911.

Dutch Reformed missionaries from South Africa entered Tivland in 1911; they were joined, and then succeeded, by U.S. Protestants in the 1940s and 1950s. Catholic missions arrived in the 1920s.

The early administration, coming as it did from the east where Tiv had come under the influence (but not the hegemony) of Jukun and Hausa kingdoms, established "District Heads," who were influential men to whom the British gave authority in which other Tiv did not concur. That system was extended beyond the area of Jukun influence to other Tiv, causing disturbances. Beginning in 1934, the administration created Tiv experts—men who learned the Tiv language and stayed for far longer periods of time than most colonial officers stayed with any given people. Their reports provided a firm basis for administrative reform.


Also read article about Tiv from Wikipedia

User Contributions:

Thanks for the little and contagious article you have put together here. i must really tell that you've enlighten me about my people, (Tiv). honestly speaking, i'm writing a project about the history of Tiv and fulani habitation, and i really need to know how they both of them came into existence on detailed grounds. thanks on anticipation. God bless you.
2
Aluga Aondohemba
I love this article,though it is a tip of the icesberg.it's really educating.Thanks to J Rank.
3
Joy ambrose
Wow,,its very education.just what i needed for the introductory part of my assignment.
4
Msugh Henda
Although that was brief, thanks for putting the history of my beloved people online...
5
Apegba Godwin N
Wow! It really great, thanks for putting forth such script about my GREAT people! Please I would like to know more about the history of man as reccorded by my peopl.thanks alot
6
manyam Ngusha
Please i need a complete history for origin of Tiv people
7
Martin Akiga
Dear all,

In 1935 my grandad Benjamin Akiga, the first of his tribe to read and write, put down a History of the Tiv manuscript. It was partially translated from Tiv to English by Rupert East in 1965 in Akiga's Story. Over the last three years I have cordinated and we have translated the whole manuscript from Tiv to English, edited by Prof Harold Bergsma. We hope to publish it this year. It is rich with history and culture of the Tiv. And other tribes such as the relationship between the Udam, Fulani, Etulo, Ugenyi, Jukun etc. All the battles between the whiteman and the tiv tribes are now on record for all to see and read.Be patient all. We will have it out there soon! Thanks. Martin.
8
Indyer Jeff
I really wish to know the more about the Tiv Nation and how it became the bonified sons in Benue State. thanks for the job welldone.
9
kyenge simon
I WILL LIKE TO KNOW IN DETAILS HOW THE PRATICE OF YA NA ANGBAIN STARTED IN TIVLAND.THANKS
10
Amin Lee
Very imformative and educational but not exactly what I was looking for but an awesome piece.
11
TYOVER
What an interesting article about my people- the Tiv people of Central Nigeria.
12
ORNGU
It is informative, I need more resources about my people. Thanks for the great works
13
Mvendaga Baaki
I thank those who take their time to promote our culture on the internet. It will help our present generation to read and understand the history and culture of Tiv people.
14
Iortyange Sunday
Information available about Tiv origins and culture is gradually increasing and the story is becoming clearer - a departure from the oral narrations of our forebears. What we need most now is a comprehensive record of Tiv history from Takuluku to present-day, so that the present (and future) generation may well understand its roots,
15
Abraham Lubem Abado
I came across this material in the cause of my research work on then Tiv people,thou the information here is very brief ,i still appreciate the information gained.
16
Akase Wilfred
Some of us are also happy to see a more meaningful and reliable historical background of the Tiv people. This will to some greater extent help the younger generation understand much about the origin of our ancestors.
I really must say a very big thank you for this wonderful article you 've dropped here,you 've enlightened me indeed,
Thanks to you.
I am so impress reading about my tribe the TIV Nation. More of such works should be published online for more TIV Sons and Daughters to read and have more knowledge of their origin and traditions. The Mzugh u TIV national secretariat should encourage such publications.
19
Tabitha Or Anjou
God bless my brother for this article l have been looking forward in having knowledge about the history of my origin and i m so happy reading this brief and meaningful article which has given a clue of the TIV poeple,although I was opportuned to know the detail of my family. The Bible said in Hosea 4:6 that my people are perished for lack of knowledge and l will destroy them and their children.therefore,having the knowledge of your place is inevitable, whenever you're aware of a thing you will know what to do. Knowledge is power.as we ve stared let's complete the race it is very important. Thanks.
I am very greatful of you for puting in much effort to writing about Tiv nation in order to throw more light to even people like me
Take my sincere Thanks God Obless U.

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