Region southeast Nigeria ISO 639-3 tiv | ISO 639-2 tiv Glottolog tivv1240 | |
Native speakers 10 million (date missing) Language family Niger–Congo
Atlantic–Congo
Benue–Congo
Southern Bantoid
Tivoid
Central A
Tiv | ||
The Tiv language is spoken by over ten million people in Nigeria, with some speakers in Cameroon. Most Nigerian Tiv speakers are found in Benue State of Nigeria. The language is also widely spoken in the Nigerian States of Plateau, Taraba, Nasarawa, Cross River Kaduna, Lagos, Adamawa, Oyo as well as the FCT Abuja. It is part of the Southern Bantoid Tivoid family, a branch of Benue–Congo and ultimately of the Niger–Congo family.
The Tiv people have a tradition that is arranged in order of chiefs: 1st class chief (Tor Tiv) 2nd class chief (Ter) which is normally in charge of each local government traditional council. They also have 3rd class chiefs (Tyoor) in charge of Districts and Kindred Heads (Mbateregh) they also have Ator a Ukpande (Tax Collectors) they can also be called village heads.
Language materials
the bible in the tiv language
gospel
jesus film in tiv