This paper deals with womanhood in Tiv literary genres. It reinterprets gender roles in an African society. The Tiv of Middle-Belt Nigeria are a unique ethnic nationality whose feminine gender is regarded as the heart-beat of the householder, the measure of all things for the husband and the epicenter of the community. Contrary to the conclusion of the African Neo-cultural positivists, the roles Tiv traditional social system assigns to the feminine gender noble roles that elevate than demean her status as a woman. She is neither marginalized nor oppressed and exploited in social, political, economic and religious spheres. Gender discrimination is sine qua non in traditional society though, it is benevolent.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Feminism and Tiv Society
Gender in Tiv Literary Genres
The Positive Tiv Woman
Conclusion
Research Objectives & Core Themes
This paper examines the social and cultural status of women within the Tiv ethnic group of central Nigeria, challenging the assumption that traditional gender roles are inherently oppressive. By analyzing Tiv literary genres and social customs, the study argues that the traditional role of the Tiv woman as an "epicenter" of the home is a position of power and complementarity, rather than marginalization or enslavement, and that her status is best served through culturally resonant empowerment rather than Western-style liberation.
- Reinterpretation of traditional gender roles in Tiv society
- Critique of Western feminist paradigms within the African context
- Examination of the "positive Tiv woman" as a pillar of cultural stability
- Analysis of the impact of social shifts and the abolition of traditional marriage systems
- Exploration of female empowerment through complementary social and metaphysical functions
Excerpt from the Book
The Positive Tiv Woman
Thomas Sankara once said, a bad son may be born but a bad mother does not exist. A good woman is Shima I orya i.e. the heart of the householder. She is an embodiment of wisdom of knowledge and is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her. She affects the life of her husband so much that life without her has no meaning. Demelu Koko (199)_yery ably chronicles the Tiv experience in this regard,
A woman who wants to affect her husband's life would herself ask for an assistant, thus allowing her husband to marry a junior wife. Sometimes the senior wife would make the choice herself which in itself was an act of courtesy to a respected husband. This enabled the senior wife to stay the compound and fix the favorite food of her husband and receive the respect due to her as a senior wife; Mother.
The words of the book or proverbs chapter 31 fit very well with the Tiv understanding of the positive woman. In part, it states that, "her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her, many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all" such is the desire of many women that Mrs. Ronald Reagan (1978:59) summed up in an interview. "I believe a woman's real happiness and fulfillment comes from within her home, with a husband and children". Another woman of substance Mrs. Golda Meir, (1978:58) the former Israeli Premier , was the outstanding career woman of our time, she achieved more in a man's world than any other woman in any century-and she did it on sheer ability, not on her looks, or her legs. She was repeatedly identified as the most admired woman in the world, yet she said without hesitation that "marriage and having babies is the most fulfilling thing a woman can ever do".
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter establishes the theoretical conflict between global feminist movements and the traditional social reality of the Tiv people, arguing that Tiv women require empowerment rather than liberation.
Feminism and Tiv Society: The chapter explores the dual-sex system of the Tiv, differentiating between benevolent, benign, and malevolent sexism to explain how roles are distributed without systematic oppression.
Gender in Tiv Literary Genres: This section analyzes how oral tradition and literature define the woman's role, contrasting the "positive woman" with the "negative woman" who rejects traditional family structures.
The Positive Tiv Woman: The chapter characterizes the ideal Tiv woman as the "heart of the householder," emphasizing her wisdom, strength, and central role in family stability and cultural continuity.
Conclusion: The conclusion reaffirms that the Tiv woman is not a voiceless victim and suggests that the adoption of foreign value systems has paradoxically led to the loss of traditional protections for women.
Keywords
Womanhood, Tiv Woman, Kwase Tiv, Gender Discrimination, Empowerment, Gender Centering, Tiv Society, Feminism, Complementarity, Social Values, Matriarchy, Patriarchal Oppression, Traditional Marriage, Gender Ideology, Cultural Identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research?
The work focuses on reinterpreting the gender roles assigned to women within the traditional Tiv society of Nigeria, specifically challenging the narrative that these roles are inherently oppressive.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include the concept of gender complementarity, the distinction between "positive" and "negative" women in Tiv culture, the critique of Western feminism, and the historical impact of social and marriage system changes.
What is the primary research question or goal?
The goal is to determine if the perceived marginalization of Tiv women is a factual reality or a misconception arising from an external, Western-influenced lens, and to advocate for empowerment that preserves Tiv cultural identity.
Which scientific or analytical methods are utilized?
The author employs a sociological and literary analysis approach, drawing upon ethnographic data, proverbs, oral traditions, and comparative literature to validate the status of women in the Tiv community.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body explores the three levels of sexism (benevolent, benign, and malevolent), the division of labor, the role of women in the pre-colonial economy, and the symbolic significance of women in Tiv ontology.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is defined by terms such as Womanhood, Kwase Tiv, Gender Centering, Empowerment, and Complementarity.
How does the author define a "positive Tiv woman"?
She is defined as the "heart of the householder" (Shima I orya), an embodiment of wisdom, care, and commitment who is central to the husband's success and the preservation of family stability.
Why does the author argue against "liberation" for Tiv women?
The author argues that Tiv women are not enslaved, so liberation is unnecessary; instead, they need further empowerment that strengthens their essential role rather than removing them from their social context.
What role did the abolition of the traditional "Yam-she" marriage system play?
The author suggests that its abolition led to the atomization of the community, removed traditional safeguards for women, and contributed to the modern demeaning of motherhood and social status.
What is the "invisible hand" of women in Tiv society?
It refers to the influence women hold over men's actions through their roles as mothers and wives, suggesting that while men may appear to rule, they are guided by the needs and wisdom of the women in their lives.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Alloy S. Ihuah (Autor:in), 2021, Womanhood in Tiv Literary Genres. A Reinterpretation of Gender Roles in an African Society, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1163000
