Tiv people
 |
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| (Approx. 6,000,000) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Nigeria, Cameroon | |
| Languages | |
| Tiv, Tivoid languages, English, French(in Cameroon), Hausa(in Taraba, Nasarawa, plateau, Adamawa and Kaduna) | |
| Religion | |
| Predominantly Christian, Tiv Traditional religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Evant, Iceve-Maci of cameroon, iyive language, utange, (Otank of Crossriver), caka of cameroon, Ipulo language, Eman language, Ambo language (Nigeria), Bitare language, Abon language, Batu language and other bantu tribes |
The Tiv (or Tivi) are an ethno-linguistic group or nation in West Africa. They number approximately 6 million individuals in Nigeria and Cameroon. In Nigeria, most speakers are indigenous to Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba, with millions of speakers also in Cross-River State, Kaduna, Adamawa, Lagos, Oyo and Abuja Federal Capital Territory. They depend on agricultural produce for commerce and life.
The Tiv came into contact with European culture during the colonial period. During November 1907 to spring 1908, an expedition of the Southern Nigeria Regiment led by Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Trenchard's came into contact with the Tiv. Trenchard brought gifts for the tribal chiefs. Subsequently, roads were built and trade links established between Europeans and the Tiv. But before construction of roads began, a missionary named Mary Slessor went throughout the region seeing to the people's needs.
The geographical position of the Tiv, according to Laura Bohannan and Paul J. Bohannan (1969: 9) and Rubingh (1969: 58), is between 6° 30' and 8° 10' north latitude and 8° and 10° east longitude. The Tiv shares borders with the chamba and the Jukun of Taraba State in the north-east; Alago in the north, with the Yala, Gakem and Obudu of Cross River State in the South; and the Idoma and Igede of Benue State to the west. There is also an international border between Nigeria and Republic of Cameroon that passes within the tiv territory. They are among the majority ethnic groups in Nigeria, ranking as the fourth most populous ethnic group.
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