“Oil in Which Words Are Eaten”: Tiv Proverbs and The Construction of Womanhood

The Tiv of North-central Nigeria are a group of people with a rich cultural heritage, and Tiv orature, which is essentially oral, is an integral aspect of their culture. The lore is carefully organised, preserved, and transmitted through the oral traditions of communication, and is owned by the members of the community. These oral art forms, types, and generic categories of literature embody and reflect Tiv values, norms, and traditions, especially as they relate to the position of the womenfolk in Tivland. Proverb (known in Tiv as anzaaka and injakwagh, singular) is a significant oral art form with diverse, important social and cultural functions. This study investigates selected Tiv proverbs and the nuanced sexist perspectives they express, culturally and verbally, in the construction of womanhood when proverbs are performed. The study adopts Africana Womanism as a theoretical lens and the qualitative research approach. This framework prioritises gender equity, familial bonds and community emancipation. Through participant observation, social conversations and engagements, fifteen (15) proverbs relevant to the subject matter, authority and power relations, motherhood and economy in tandem with the Tiv counting system, among others, were collected and analysed qualitatively to determine the perspectives and significance of this oral art form in expressing sexism. From the analysis, the study finds that female subjugation is practised based on the patriarchal orientation of the Tiv society. Furthermore, maintains that male dominance control is perpetuated through the socialising process through the proverbs, and this is presented as an area of focus for Gender Studies. The study concludes that Tiv proverbs convey sexism, denegation of women, and reinforce patriarchal norms that must be challenged, especially in modern times.