African Myths and the Environment: A Look at Some Myths and Totems Among the Tiv of Central Nigeria

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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 spirit. The aim of this chapter is to critically examine the existence and significance of African myths/totems in their association with the environment in Tiv society. Emphasis is particularly on the Ikyalem (green snake) myth and totemic beliefs such as dog meat, Ibohough (Gardenia erubescens), Ivervese (Typlops punctatus) and several others - associated with the cultural history of the Tiv of Central Nigeria. The nature, types and reasons for the formulation of myths, and how the environment pave the way for a meaningful existence of myths in Tivland is also examined. This research is timely and most importantly problem solving, because of the fast disappearance of the knowledge of myths and totems in Tiv society. Data for this research  has  been  collected  through  In-Depth  Interviews,  key informants  and  Focus  Group  Discussion  with  elders,  traditional heads  and  other  people  with  good  knowledge  of  myths  and totemic  beliefs  in  Tiv  society.  In  addition  to  this,  secondary data were  also  acquired  from  existing  literatures  to  collaborate  oral information. 

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APA

Nomishan, T. (2021). African Myths and the Environment: A Look at Some Myths and Totems Among the Tiv of Central Nigeria. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/african-myths-and-the-environment-a-look-at-some-myths-and-totems-among-the-tiv-of-central-nigeria

MLA 8th

Nomishan, Terngu S "African Myths and the Environment: A Look at Some Myths and Totems Among the Tiv of Central Nigeria" Afribary. Afribary, 14 Dec. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/african-myths-and-the-environment-a-look-at-some-myths-and-totems-among-the-tiv-of-central-nigeria. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

MLA7

Nomishan, Terngu S . "African Myths and the Environment: A Look at Some Myths and Totems Among the Tiv of Central Nigeria". Afribary, Afribary, 14 Dec. 2021. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/african-myths-and-the-environment-a-look-at-some-myths-and-totems-among-the-tiv-of-central-nigeria >.

Chicago

Nomishan, Terngu S . "African Myths and the Environment: A Look at Some Myths and Totems Among the Tiv of Central Nigeria" Afribary (2021). Accessed March 28, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/african-myths-and-the-environment-a-look-at-some-myths-and-totems-among-the-tiv-of-central-nigeria