Tiv Philosophical Thought and Heritage: An Outlook on the Value System of Communitarianism in the Light of Familyhood and Kinship
Abstract
Family and indeed familyhood is very germane to the Tiv people of Central Nigeria just like the people of other cultures. As such, family is regarded as an indispensable, anchorage and integral part of Tiv ontology. This fundamental consideration of familyhood and kinship makes it possible to practice and demonstrate the Tiv communitarian heritage value of ya na anigbian (eat and give your brother or kin).
The essay advocates for a deconstruction and reconstruction of the ambivalences and the inimical Tiv socio-cultural heritage resource of familyhood and kinship as being practiced today since they undermine the individual and the general societal development and rather mounts unnecessary financial and psychological pressures on the individual who assumes the responsibility of living by such inherited values. To effectively and meaningfully deconstruct and reconstruct the Tiv indigenous philosophical thought and heritage resource as a response to the contemporary global socio-economic exigencies and holistic development, the essay makes a case against early marriage while recommending birth control, education of the Tiv youths and planning, complemented with hard work. The essay employs philosophical analysis on the background of the concrete situation of Tiv individuals compelled to adopt familyhood and kinship.