Tivoid · Nigeria’s peoples

Tiv

The Tiv are one of Nigeria’s largest peoples, over 8 million strong, and the main people of the Benue valley.

At a glance

Where do the Tiv people live?: Their homeland is in Benue State, across 12 local government areas. They are also a large share of Gwer West and Makurdi in Benue State and Wukari in Taraba State.
What language do the Tiv speak?: Tiv, a language of the Tivoid family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Bantoid › Southern Bantoid › Tivoid).
Who is the traditional ruler of the Tiv?: Tor Tiv, seated at Gboko.

Overview

The Tiv are one of Nigeria’s largest peoples, over 8 million strong, and the main people of the Benue valley. Tiv is spoken mainly in Benue, and also in Taraba, Nasarawa, Plateau and Cross River. Historically the Tiv had no single monarchy; today their supreme ruler is the Tor Tiv, whose palace is in Gboko. “Munchi”, a name others once used for them, is considered offensive.^[2],[3],[4]High confidence

Where the Tiv live

Local government areas by state. Homeland: the group is the majority. Shared area: a large share of a mixed area. Smaller presence: present, but a small share.

Benue
- Buruku(Homeland)
- Gboko(Homeland)
- Guma(Homeland)
- Gwer East(Homeland)
- Katsina-Ala(Homeland)
- Konshisha(Homeland)
- Kwande(Homeland)
- Logo(Homeland)
- Tarka(Homeland)
- Ukum(Homeland)
- Ushongo(Homeland)
- Vandeikya(Homeland)
- Gwer West(Shared area)
- Makurdi(Shared area)
Taraba
- Wukari(Shared area)
- Donga(Smaller presence)
- Kurmi(Smaller presence)
- Sardauna(Smaller presence)
- Takum(Smaller presence)
Nasarawa
- Awe(Smaller presence)
- Doma(Smaller presence)
- Keana(Smaller presence)
- Lafia(Smaller presence)
Plateau
- Qua'An Pan(Smaller presence)
- Shendam(Smaller presence)

Areas are approximate and show where people live. They are not claims of land ownership.

Communities beyond the homeland

Gboko

Gboko, Benue State.^[4],[3]High confidence

The largest LGA of Benue by population, created in 1970, and seat of the Tor Tiv, whose office the British created in 1946.^[4],[3]

Katsina-Ala

Katsina-Ala, Benue State.^[13]High confidence

An important archaeological site where Nok-culture artefacts have been found.^[13]

Farming and trade at rotating markets: Tomanyiin on Thursdays, Tor Donga on Mondays, Gbor Tongov on Fridays, Abaji on Wednesdays and Amaafu on Tuesdays.^[13]

Zaki Biam

Ukum, Benue State.^[14]High confidence

In October 2001 Nigerian soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed Tiv civilians in Zaki Biam, Vaase, Anyiin, Ugba, Sankera and other villages, in revenge for 19 soldiers found dead; the army apologised in 2007.^[14]

Adikpo

Kwande, Benue State.^[15]High confidence

Ugba

Logo, Benue State.^[15],[14]High confidence

Aliade

Gwer East, Benue State.^[15]High confidence

Naka

Gwer West, Benue State.^[15]High confidence

Language

Tiv, a language of the Tivoid family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Bantoid › Southern Bantoid › Tivoid). ISO 639-3: tiv.^[1],[2]High confidence

Traditional ruler

Tor Tiv, seated at Gboko.^[3],[4]High confidence

Sources

Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).