📚 Tiv Culture Archive
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Tiv Names
288Terzungwe
God's Mercy
Tiv Names
Terzungwe
God's Mercy
Open ›Iti
Name
Tiv Names
Iti
Iti means name…
Open ›Ityohemba
None is as powerful / helpful as paternal kinsmen
Tiv Names
Ityohemba
Cultural Beliefs: Maternal and Paternal Kinsmen…
Open ›Ityoyima
Saved / delivered by paternal kinsmen
Tiv Names
Ityoyima
Cultural Beliefs: Maternal and Paternal Kinsmen…
Open ›Aondohemba
None is as powerful / helpful as God
Tiv Names
Aondohemba
Divine Names: Aôndo, Ter, Tor, Usha…
Open ›Aondoyima
Saved / delivered by God
Tiv Names
Aondoyima
Divine Names: Aôndo, Ter, Tor, Usha…
Open ›Aondowase
Helped / assisted by God
Tiv Names
Aondowase
Divine Names: Aôndo, Ter, Tor, Usha…
Open ›Terhemba
None is as powerful / helpful as God the Father
Tiv Names
Terhemba
Divine Names: Aôndo, Ter, Tor, Usha…
Open ›Teryima
Saved / delivered by God the Father
Tiv Names
Teryima
Divine Names: Aôndo, Ter, Tor, Usha…
Open ›Torhemba
None is as powerful / helpful as God the King of kings
Tiv Names
Torhemba
Divine Names: Aôndo, Ter, Tor, Usha…
Open ›Toryima
Saved / delivered by God the King of kings
Tiv Names
Toryima
Divine Names: Aôndo, Ter, Tor, Usha…
Open ›Torwase
Helped / assisted by God the King of kings
Tiv Names
Torwase
Divine Names: Aôndo, Ter, Tor, Usha…
Open ›Proverbs
232Ka u doo a orutso nyom, fam a gba nan per …
If you are in need of someone's help, learn to relate w
Proverbs
Ka u doo a orutso nyom, fam a gba nan per …
It is advisable to relate well with everyone.…
Open ›Akor a ngô Ivyo nga nduur Kpev yav ga.
The horns of a doe (she-goat) do not hurt the buck (he-
Proverbs
Akor a ngô Ivyo nga nduur Kpev yav ga.
Tiv mba er inja kwagh ne u tesen er kwagh ka un a doo u ishima yô u nengen a iyo…
Open ›Ka we a dugh ityôndo gbaaye u ngôôr zende …
Whoever carries a burning stick of African mesquite doe
Proverbs
Ka we a dugh ityôndo gbaaye u ngôôr zende …
Ka nahan man or ngu a za dugh hen anngbyan er nan a za keer yô nan yemen fele fe…
Open ›Ka we a eren belanda u mkee u kera aan ity…
When trading in pepper, you do not scratch your anus.
Proverbs
Ka we a eren belanda u mkee u kera aan ity…
Tiv mba er kwagh ne u tesen iyolparegh man mlu u sulaa sha hanma kwagh u uwe ave…
Open ›Ka or u nan ze shin uagh tugh nan fe er In…
Only the one who goes to the river in the night that kn
Proverbs
Ka or u nan ze shin uagh tugh nan fe er In…
Tiv mba er injakwagh ne u pasen er saa u lu ken atô u hanma kwagh man u fa vie v…
Open ›Ka we a paan bar u yaan anema.
While clearing a cave, you eat bats.
Proverbs
Ka we a paan bar u yaan anema.
Inima ka inyon i i lun ken bar yô. Mba eren tom ken bar ka vea zua a inima yô ma…
Open ›Ka we a koron kooso u ndiar tsur.
When you are weaving a spike lute, you lick the honeyco
Proverbs
Ka we a koron kooso u ndiar tsur.
Injakwagh ne kpa Tiv mba kaan er, doo u yangen or u nan lu eren kwagh la u zuan …
Open ›Aondo tsar wan la ashano ken ityő a nenge …
God has lit a match in the boy's head; he sees far beyo
Proverbs
Aondo tsar wan la ashano ken ityő a nenge …
Tiv mba er kwagh ne sha u tesen er mfe u wan la ka u marami, ka sagh a tsaha wan…
Open ›Ka iyo i nyom Kurugh anyi sha igyundu ia v…
The snake that bites a tortoise on its shell will be th
Proverbs
Ka iyo i nyom Kurugh anyi sha igyundu ia v…
Injakwagh ne tese ishimataver. Ka u tesen er weu wa ikyo a ican ga, ka mba eren …
Open ›M kor bua sha akor we u ngu kamen atumba (…
I have seized the bull by its horns, for you to press i
Proverbs
M kor bua sha akor we u ngu kamen atumba (…
Tiv mba er injakwah ne u pasen er, orgen ngu yan ican, orgen ngu zuan a mtsera s…
Open ›Ka we a sôron ijua i kpen u ver ikyur ikyua.
When treating a dead vagina, you always keep the penis
Proverbs
Ka we a sôron ijua i kpen u ver ikyur ikyua.
Tiv mba er injakwagh ne u kaan er, ka a öron kwagh wou i nengen sha we. Ka a ôro…
Open ›Bua u alu a tsa ga Aôndo hur un iji iyolna.
A cow without a tail has God to drive away the flies fo
Proverbs
Bua u alu a tsa ga Aôndo hur un iji iyolna.
Tiv mba er injakwagh ne u tesen er or u nan lua orwasen nan ga, shin nan mar wan…
Open ›Plants
389Ibohough
Erubescens edible gardenia
Plants
Ibohough
A shrub or small tree that can grow up to about 10 meters tall. Produces fragra…
Open ›Agenga
Purple tephrosia; Wild indigo; Fish poison plant
Plants
Agenga
A small woody-based shrub or herb with purple pea-like flowers, common on waste …
Open ›Zerbua
Plants
Zerbua
Open ›Youyou
Rushy tephrosia; Tephrosia
Plants
Youyou
A slender, rush-like shrub or herb in the pea family (Fabaceae), in the same gen…
Open ›Yiwou; Yiyawou
Narrow-spiked celosia; Wild celosia
Plants
Yiwou; Yiyawou
An annual to short-lived shrubby herb of West and Central African forest and sav…
Open ›Yiase; Yasa: Yase
African mahogany; Afzelia; Doussie
Plants
Yiase; Yasa: Yase
A large deciduous savanna tree with a spreading crown, valued for its durable re…
Open ›Yaragom; Kon-iwambe
Snowberry tree; White-berry bush
Plants
Yaragom; Kon-iwambe
A much-branched shrub or small tree bearing tiny, white, berry-like fruit, givin…
Open ›Wule; Kenyi
Wild date palm; Reclinata palm; Senegal date palm
Plants
Wule; Kenyi
A multi-stemmed, clustering palm with feathery fronds, found along rivers and in…
Open ›Wuhem iyou
Sensitive plant; Life plant
Plants
Wuhem iyou
A small, palm-like annual herb with a rosette of compound leaves whose leaflets …
Open ›Wua nor
Irish potato; White potato; European potato
Plants
Wua nor
An herbaceous perennial grown as an annual crop for its starchy underground tube…
Open ›Hi-tur
Sandpaper leaf fig; Forest sandpaper fig
Plants
Hi-tur
A fig tree with rough, sandpaper-textured leaves traditionally used for scouring…
Open ›Tsakombo; Ngaji; Awa
African rosewood; Barwood; Senegal rosewood
Plants
Tsakombo; Ngaji; Awa
A medium to large deciduous savanna tree valued for its reddish heartwood, which…
Open ›Festivals
8Kyegh Sha Shwa
Kyegh Sha Shwa Cultural Festival
Festivals
Kyegh Sha Shwa
An annual large-scale Tiv cultural gathering held in Makurdi. It celebrates Tiv …
Open ›Kwagh-Hir
Kwagh-Hir Puppet Festival
Festivals
Kwagh-Hir
A renowned Tiv dramatic folk theatre tradition that uses puppets, marionettes, m…
Open ›Tiv Day
Tiv Day Celebration
Festivals
Tiv Day
A major annual celebration that brings Tiv people together across Nigeria and th…
Open ›Iniongo i iyou mbi her
New Yam Festival
Festivals
Iniongo i iyou mbi her
Annual harvest celebration marking the beginning of the new yam season.…
Open ›Ivom
Ivom Dance Festival
Festivals
Ivom
A traditional Tiv festival centred on the Ivom dance. It promotes cultural renew…
Open ›Akata
Akata Fishing Festival
Festivals
Akata
A traditional fishing festival held in Katsina-Ala that showcases local fishing …
Open ›Biem and Toho Yilan
Biem and Toho Yilan Hunting Festival
Festivals
Biem and Toho Yilan
A traditional Tiv hunting festival involving both inter-clan hunting expeditions…
Open ›Nyinya
Nyinya Festival
Festivals
Nyinya
A traditional celebration of affluence in which a person who acquires a horse — …
Open ›Foods
15Ruam Kumen
Pounded Yam
Foods
Ruam Kumen
The most popular Tiv staple food, made by pounding boiled yam until it becomes a…
Open ›Kyegh Sha Shwa
Chicken with Sesame Seed Sauce
Foods
Kyegh Sha Shwa
A highly valued Tiv cultural dish made with chicken cooked in ground sesame seed…
Open ›Akpukpa
Bambara Nut or Bean Pudding
Foods
Akpukpa
A Tiv delicacy prepared from bambara nuts or beans, often formed into a pudding …
Open ›Peto
Yam or Sweet Potato Pottage
Foods
Peto
A hearty Tiv meal made by cooking yam or sweet potato together with palm oil and…
Open ›Pocho
Watery Traditional Sauce
Foods
Pocho
A light, watery sauce commonly prepared with smoked fish or meat, pepper, and lo…
Open ›Genger
Genger Flower Bud Soup
Foods
Genger
A popular Tiv soup made from the flower buds of the Genger tree. It has a distin…
Open ›Atuu
Okro Soup
Foods
Atuu
A Tiv soup made primarily from okro. It has a characteristic slimy texture that …
Open ›Atyever
Vegetable Soup
Foods
Atyever
A Tiv vegetable-based soup often prepared with nune (fermented locust beans) for…
Open ›Ibyer
Fermented Maize or Millet Pudding
Foods
Ibyer
A fermented creamy pudding made from ground maize or millet. It is enjoyed as a …
Open ›Burukutu
Traditional Grain Beer
Foods
Burukutu
A traditional alcoholic beverage brewed from guinea corn (sorghum) or millet. It…
Open ›Kuese
Bean Cakes
Foods
Kuese
Deep-fried bean cakes similar to akara. They are crispy on the outside and soft …
Open ›Igbough Ahi
Roasted or Boiled Bambara Nuts
Foods
Igbough Ahi
A simple traditional snack made from bambara nuts, either dry-roasted over fire …
Open ›Dictionary
4,382Mbampin
questions
Dictionary
Mbampin
questions
Open ›kwagh nyion
ill
Dictionary
kwagh nyion
ill
Open ›pinen
ask
Dictionary
pinen
ask
Open ›u dondon
next door
Dictionary
u dondon
next door
Open ›ngu heen
lives
Dictionary
ngu heen
lives
Open ›kile
brush (teeth)
Dictionary
kile
brush (teeth)
Open ›soo
want
Dictionary
soo
want
Open ›sugh
greet
Dictionary
sugh
greet
Open ›ngu heen
live
Dictionary
ngu heen
live
Open ›man zar
drink
Dictionary
man zar
drink
Open ›ôron
read
Dictionary
ôron
read
Open ›ôô iyol
bathe
Dictionary
ôô iyol
bathe
Open ›Animals
48Imunan
Mosquito
Animals
Imunan
Wild insect used symbolically in Tiv scarification and spiritual identity markin…
Open ›Ndiar
Water monitor
Animals
Ndiar
Wild large lizard used as a religious identity symbol in Tiv culture.…
Open ›Okpoto
Fish type
Animals
Okpoto
Wild aquatic creature of a specific type used in Tiv confraternity symbolism.…
Open ›Kov
Fish type
Animals
Kov
Wild aquatic creature of a specific type used in Tiv confraternity symbolism.…
Open ›Gbargbar
Fish type
Animals
Gbargbar
Wild aquatic creature of a specific type; part of Tiv fish-related tattoo symbol…
Open ›Ishu
Fish
Animals
Ishu
Wild aquatic creature used in Tiv tattoo and scarification traditions.…
Open ›Yongo
Sheep
Animals
Yongo
Domestic animal whose skin is used in ritual regalia. Also rendered Yongô.…
Open ›Gungun
Mystical snake
Animals
Gungun
Wild / spiritual serpent of mystical nature; a protective entity in Tiv belief.…
Open ›Shimbe
Civet
Animals
Shimbe
Wild small carnivore whose skin carries high ritual value among the Tiv.…
Open ›Yese
Scorpion
Animals
Yese
Wild arachnid used as a protective tattoo symbol among the Tiv.…
Open ›Ivo
Goat
Animals
Ivo
Domestic animal frequently used in Tiv ritual ceremonies.…
Open ›Ihyo
Antelope
Animals
Ihyo
Wild game animal associated with invisibility and divinatory significance. Also …
Open ›Bible
30,861Ezekiel 17:1
Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,
Bible
Ezekiel 17:1
Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,…
Open ›Ezekiel 17:2
“Son of man, tell a riddle, and speak a parable to the
Bible
Ezekiel 17:2
“Son of man, tell a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel;…
Open ›Ezekiel 17:3
and say, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “A great eagle with gre
Bible
Ezekiel 17:3
and say, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “A great eagle with great wings and long feather…
Open ›Ezekiel 17:4
He cropped off the topmost of its young twigs, and carr
Bible
Ezekiel 17:4
He cropped off the topmost of its young twigs, and carried it to a land of traff…
Open ›Ezekiel 17:5
“‘“He also took some of the seed of the land and plante
Bible
Ezekiel 17:5
“‘“He also took some of the seed of the land and planted it in fruitful soil. He…
Open ›Ezekiel 17:6
It grew and became a spreading vine of low stature, who
Bible
Ezekiel 17:6
It grew and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward…
Open ›Ezekiel 17:7
“‘“There was also another great eagle with great wings
Bible
Ezekiel 17:7
“‘“There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers. Behold…
Open ›Ezekiel 17:8
It was planted in a good soil by many waters, that it m
Bible
Ezekiel 17:8
It was planted in a good soil by many waters, that it might produce branches and…
Open ›Ezekiel 17:9
“Say, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Will it prosper? Won’t he
Bible
Ezekiel 17:9
“Say, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Will it prosper? Won’t he pull up its roots and cu…
Open ›Ezekiel 17:10
Yes, behold, being planted, will it prosper? Won’t it u
Bible
Ezekiel 17:10
Yes, behold, being planted, will it prosper? Won’t it utterly wither when the ea…
Open ›Ezekiel 17:11
Moreover Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,
Bible
Ezekiel 17:11
Moreover Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,…
Open ›Ezekiel 17:12
“Say now to the rebellious house, ‘Don’t you know what
Bible
Ezekiel 17:12
“Say now to the rebellious house, ‘Don’t you know what these things mean?’ Tell …
Open ›Help Preserve Tiv Heritage
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