Swem; The Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Tiv of Central Nigeria
The Tiv are a major ethnic group in the Middle Belt Region of Nigeria. Scholarly writings about the Tiv usually make mention of Swem as either the ‘ancestral home’ of the Tiv, or an ‘Oath of justice’ sworn by the Tiv people to prove innocence and cleanse the land to avert calamities. To this end, ‘Swem’ stands as a tangible and intangible heritage of the Tiv. This paper examines the nexus between the Tiv and the Swem, and its impact on the culture and traditions of the Tiv people....
African Myths and the Environment: A Look at Some Myths and Totems Among the Tiv of Central Nigeria
Myths are specific accounts of gods or super-human beings involved in extraordinary events or circumstances in a time that is unspecified but which is understood as existing apart from ordinary human experience. Myths are also accounts of the origin of societies and institutions not necessarily subject to rationalization. A totem on the other hand is an animal, a plant or any other natural object believed to be ancestrally related to a tribe, clan, family or group of people as a tutelary spir...
Cultural Heritage Management and the Effect of Corruption in Nigeria: Hampering Sustainable Development via Cultural Heritage Destruction
Purpose –The aim of this research is to discuss the effect of corruption on conventional management of cultural heritage (CH) resources in Nigeria. It identifies the means by which the effect can be curtailed to bring about proper management system in the CH sector and pave the way for economic/sustainable development through cultural tourism in the country. Design/methodology/approach–The research draws from both exploratory and comparative approaches. It took a study of selected locatio...
A Discussion of Challenges Confronting Archaeology and Its Practice in Nigeria
There is no gain saying that archaeology and archaeological practice in Nigeria is yet to achieve the desired results, particularly as it is yet to fully meet the needs of the society, and largely contribute to problem solving in contemporary terms. This is seemingly not unconnected to the fact that the practice of archaeology in the country is faced with a lot of challenges, especially in the recent times. Thus, the aim of this research is to discuss the nature of some of these challenges an...
Archaeology and Social Stability in Nigeria: An Appraisal
Abstract The main focus of this paper is to bring to limelight how archaeological activities/findings are appropriate resources not only for understanding the past, but also for the purpose of adequately informing future plans. Archaeological activities and findings have the ability to provide positive answers to the general social instability in a nation (as being experienced or witnessed in Nigeria in particular and West Africa in general). This research is of the opinion that, the archaeol...
The Impact of Common Tree Categories on Archaeological Investigation in Nigeria: An Ethno-botanical Perspective on Sites in the Middle Belt Region
Trees are scientifically win breakers and sun absorbers which release oxygen into the atmosphere. The leaves of trees that fall on the ground add nutrients to the soil which in turn enhances the growth of both plants and animals. Trees serve both as food, medicine and raw materials for making of tools, weapons, furniture, and construction or building of local bridges and structures amongst others. Trees, both in the past and present have also been utilized for religious and commercial purpose...
Zootherapy: The Use of Dog Meat for Traditional African Medicine in Kanke Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria
This study centers on fragrant meat consumption which is a cultural phenomenon associated with some communities in Nigeria. The healing of human ailments using therapeutics based on medicines obtained from animals or animal parts is known as zootherapy. The utilization of animals and animal parts in the preparation of several products employed in diverse ways for health care delivery�...
An Archaeological Reconnaissance Of Kpe Hilltop Settlement Site In Mbaikya Community, Usambe District, Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria
This research is entitled “An Archaeological Reconnaissance of Kpe Hilltop Settlement Site in Mbaikya Community, Usambe District of Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria”. The research is aimed at attempting a reconstruction of the past ways of life of the people who settled on Kpe hill by investigating Kpe hilltop settlement site. Thus, the research paid specific attention to the collection of oral traditions of the Usambe people, collection of archaeological data on ...
Perspectives on the Origin, Genealogical Narration, Early Migrations and Settlement Morphology of the Tiv of Central Nigeria
This paper presents some reflections on the origin, genealogical narration, early migrations and settlement morphology of the Tiv of Central Nigeria. Tiv people of central Nigeria today inhabit a substantial part of the Middle Benue Valley of Nigeria. In the various works of scholars of Tiv historiography, there has been an on-going debate on the origin, genealogy and migrations of the Tiv people. This is possibly because of lack of adequate archaeological, anthropological and historical r...
Archaeology and Tourism in Nigeria: An Overview
his paper centres on the role of archaeology in the promotion of the tourism industry in Nigeria. The paper highlights the major roles of archaeology in the progress and development of tourism industry in Nigeria, and note, the unfortunate deliberate non-recognition of the discipline by the tourism sector in the country. It contended that despite this problem, archaeology has done a lot and more is still being done by archaeology and the archaeologists to unveil a lot about the past achi...
Interrogating The Tourism Industry Of Benue State: The Past And Present Of Makurdi Zoological Garden And Ikyogen Cattle Ranch, Benue State, Nigeria
his paper presents an interrogation of the struggling Tourism Industry of Benue State, analysing the past and present states of Makurdi Zoological Garden and Ikyogen Cattle Ranch. The research is aimed at bringing out the untapped tourism potentials in Benue State and also promotes the reach cultural heritage of the Tiv people of Central Nigeria. Therefore, a purely exploratory research design, with qualitative instruments and review of relevant literatures on the subject matter were emp...
Ethnoarchaeological Study of Pottery Tradition in Usambe, Ikyurav-Ya, Southeastern Tiv Land, Benue State, Nigeria
Pottery production has been recognized as one of the ancient Tiv practices that have survived to this day. Therefore, whenever remains of pottery objects are identified at an archaeological site within the Tivland, they usually contain tangible information regarding the group that made and used them. This research is an ethnoarchaeological investigation of pottery tradition in Usambe community. The researcher uses ethnographic information on pottery production and usage in the area to in...
Some Reflections On The Aspect Of The Traditions Of Origin And Indigenous Knowledge System Of The Gozaki People, Kafur Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria
Archaeology has unarguably taken the role of empirically researching the origins of people around the world. Origins are considered amongst the African societies as being essential part of people’s identity and as such, stories relating to a people’s origin are told from one generation to another with intents to preserve them for generations yet unborn. Such stories explain aspects of the culture and traditions of the people while highlighting some prowess in their indigenous knowled...
Faculty Member
Federal University Lokoja
October 2019 to Present