The paramount ruler of the Tiv Nation, His Royal Majesty, Prof. James Ayatse, the Tor Tiv V, has announced sweeping reforms to traditional and cultural practices in Tiv land.
The announcement was made during the Ijir Tamen, a high-level traditional council meeting presided over by the monarch.
According to the Tor Tiv, the amendments are aimed at modernizing the Tiv cultural system, promoting equality, reducing financial burdens, and fostering moral discipline among the people.
Speaking during the session, the Tor Tiv directed that all burials in Tiv land should henceforth be conducted within three days and should remain a family affair.
He emphasized that burial ceremonies must not be loud or extravagant. Married women, he said, must no longer be taxed by families during burial preparations except they choose to contribute willingly. He also banned burial remembrances, describing them as unnecessary and a waste of financial resources.
On inheritance, the monarch declared that women should be given equal rights to inheritance and that such rights must be protected by the court of law. This, he noted, is part of ongoing efforts to ensure fairness and justice in Tiv society.
In the area of traditional marriages, the Tor Tiv ordered that the total cost of traditional marriage items must not exceed N100,000.
He further banned the cutting of cakes during traditional weddings and ruled that the celebration of new brides should not take place in the father-in-law’s house. He warned men against physically abusing their wives, adding that the same applies to women in their treatment of their husbands.
Addressing the issue of kingship, the Tor Tiv reaffirmed that no woman can be crowned a king in Tiv land, stressing that no person should seek to amend this law or demand otherwise.
The monarch further stated that the amended traditional laws are binding on all Tiv people worldwide, irrespective of their place of residence. He also prohibited the consumption of locally brewed alcohol, popularly known as Ogogoro, across the Tiv Kingdom.
In a development geared towards cultural preservation and information dissemination, the Tor Tiv announced the launch of Tiv Television, which will initially operate on Facebook before expanding to a television platform.
He also introduced a new initiative known as BAM, designed to empower Tiv women through access to loans and other financial support systems.
Security matters were also discussed during the meeting, but details of those discussions were not made public.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
