The unique and symbolic nature of "A’Nger U Tiv"

The richness of African culture has been reduced overall, as most aspects of their cultures have been replaced or overshadowed by the colonial and post-colonial activities of the West and other world cultures. Thatched roof architecture has been largely superseded by different types of modern roofing forms. Informal learning methods that sometimes involve a series of initiations at different stages of life have been partly replaced in some quarters by formal education. When dressing, most of the ethnic groups in Africa have practically lost control of their traditional way of dressing and have given way to the forces of civilization with the help of technological advances.

However, there are still ethnic groups in Africa that have not only retained some important cultural practices by way of commemoration, but have also retained and continue to produce certain unique-looking cultural materials to date. One such group is the Tiv people of Benue State in Nigeria, who have refused to abandon the culture of producing their unique and symbolic cultural costume (traditional cloth) popularly known as Anger. Or sometimes he called it and linked it to the cultural source of his as Anger U Tiv.

Tea Anger It is woven with black and white threads to create beautiful features that make the fabric look like living zebra skin. Traditionally, the anger it is a cloth normally used in the decoration of illustrious sons and daughters of Tiv. The cloth is also worn by Tiv elders or chiefs during Tiv traditional council which is usually held in Gboko, the traditional seat of all Tiv people as well as the permanent site for the Tor-Tiv headquarters. The Tor-Tiv is the title of the paramount chief who rules over the Tiv land and also has the final say in all traditional matters or cases relating to the Tiv people living in other parts of Nigeria and indeed the world at large. .

The colors (black and white) of the anger they literally signify the true nature of the Tiv people, their beliefs on matters of life or existence. A Tiv man believes in taking a clear position on any issue related to life. In Tiv: it is day or night, left or right, yes or no, death or life, etc. It is this belief that is symbolically represented in two colors of nature: Black and White. Honesty and sincerity when talking about or dealing with problems define the character of a traditional Tiv man. Another way of looking at the black and white features of Anger it is terms of the peaceful nature of the Tiv people in general. In this way, black and white symbolically represent the zebra of nature in the wild. A zebra in the animal kingdom is one of the most peaceful, harmless and beautiful animals. The Tiv people are naturally peace-loving and hardworking wherever they are. There are many forms of traditional cloth (cultural costumes) of the Tiv that are worn at specific periods of honor in the Tiv land, however, the Anger It is the most respected and valued among all costumes.

Sometimes when an individual of non-Tiv origin has achieved a historic achievement and the traditional Tiv council wants to honor him with a title, it is the Anger which is used to decorate it. Although most of these titles have become politicized, the meaning and honor given to them have not changed. Today, Anger it is generally used as a form of cultural identification. Young Tiv and non-Tiv boys and girls wear it during schools culture week to show their culture. Due to the beautiful nature of the cloth, most people (men and women) who are not Tiv either wear the cap or tie it as the case may be.

During marriages between an illustrious or respectable Tiv son and a non-Tiv lady, the anger cloth is usually used to decorate both. This means two things, the first for the lady and the second for the man. First, that the lady has been accepted into Tiv culture and is no longer to be considered a stranger or foreigner in the Tiv land. On the male’s part, it signifies an honor bestowed on him for coming of age to assume responsibilities in Tiv society.