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 research on the Tiv project that would have provided enough empirical evidence to balance numerous claims of the oral traditions of the Tiv people on this subject. Interestingly, the issues surrounding Tiv settlement morphology appears to have had more professional answers owing to various scientific researches that have been carried out on the topic. Thus, this paper presents a concise analysis of research so far conducted on the subject matter. The Author utilised written documents like books, journals, thesis and dissertations that centres on the archaeology and general history of the Tiv people, as the research method. Therefore, this paper is simply a contribution to what is so far known about the origin, cultural progress and development of the Tiv, demonstrated in their historiography.

Keywords: Origin, Migration, Genealogy, Settlement, Historiography, Tiv people, Middle Benue Valley, Central Nigeria.