Canadian Social Science
Wives as Sex Gifts? Interrogating Sexuality in the Tiv Matrimonial System
Abstract
This paper examines sexuality within the Tiv matrimonial system. It is informed by the fact that Tiv men of Central Nigeria are known to have offered their wives to guests as sex gifts for midnight entertainment during the pre-colonial and colonial periods. These claims have gained currency among scholars, celebrities, and non-Tiv speakers in Nigeria. The paper examines gifting and sexuality in the Tiv matrimonial system from a historical perspective. Using both primary and secondary sources of historical data, the paper argues that sex gifting was alien in the Tiv matrimonial system. While men during the pre-colonial period were offered young girls as marital gifts, such opportunities were not accorded to women, as polyandry was and is considered a sinful act in Tivland. It concludes by not only deconstructing this misconception about Tiv men and sexuality but also offers plausible solutions that address stereotypes in Tiv and African historiography.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
“What is Gender? What is Sex? Canadian Institute of Health Research. Retrieved March, 20 2024, from https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/48642.html.
Abomste Daniel, Traditional Ruler, Naka, 10.06.2024.
Abraham, R. C. (1933). The Tiv People. Lagos: Lagos Government Pinter.
Adewale, O., & Oyekan, F. (2022). Formulating a Biblical Teaching on Sex for Nigerian Christian Couples: A Story of 1 Corinthians 7: 1-5. HTS Teologies Studies/Theological Studies, 78(3), 1-6.
Africa Regional Sexuality Resource Centre. (2003). Annual Report 2003. Lagos: ARSRC.
Akiga, B. (2003). Translated by Rupert East, Akiga’s Story: The Tiv Tribe as Seen by one of Its Members. Ibadan: Caltop Publications.
Alexander, K. A., & Fannin, E. F. (2014). Sexual Safety and Sexual Security among Young Black Women Who Have Sex with Women and Men. Retrieved March, 30 2024, from Doi:10.1111/.1552-6909.12461.
Arise, R. O., & Patrick, O. 2020. Cultural Violence and Nigerian Women. LWATI: A Journal of Contemporary Research 9 (3), 69-79.
Asen, M. A., & Tsav, S. T. (2017). The Tiv Song Theatre and Genderisation of the Tiv Woman: A Semiotic-Content Analysis. Journal of Humanities and Cultural Studies, 2(1), 29-53.
Asunda Micheal, Chief Cultural Officer, Makurdi, 12.06.2024.
Bajpai, P., & Mishra, K. K. (2019). Understanding the Relationship Between Sexuality and Morality among Adolescents. Mind and Society, 8 (I&II), 9.12.
Bamgbose, G., & Ladele, O. A. (2023). Gender and Ethnic Stereotype in Selected Nigerian Sitcoms. Southern African Linguistics and Applied Languages Studies, 41(2), 123-140.
Baumeister, R. F., Reynolds, T., Winegard, B., & Vohs, K. D. (2017). Competing for Love: Applying Sexual Economics Theory to Mating Contests. Journal of Economic Psychology 63 (1), 230-241.
Baumeister, R. F., & Vohs, K. D. (2004). Sexual Economics: Sex as Female Resource for Social Exchange in Heterosexual Interactions. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 8(4), 339-363.
Bodzrany, M., & Nowakowska, M. (2020). “Heart of Darkness” and “Dark Continent”: Africa and its Nations in Polish Media and Social Perception. Social Psychology and Society, 2(2), 107-120.
Bohannan, P. (1955). Some Principles of Exchange Among the Tiv. Oxford: University Press.
Bohannan, P., & Bohannan, L. (1965). The Tiv of Central Nigeria. London: Oxford University Press.
Fisher, E., & Arnold, S. J. (1996). More than a Labor of Love: Gender Roles and Christmas Gift Shopping. Journal of Consumer Research, 17(1), 333-344.
Fynaka, B. B. (2018). The Evolution of Marital Practices among the Tiv: A Critical Appraisal. RUN Journal of Cultural Studies, 1(2), 160-177.
Garza, A. P. G. (2022). The Intimacy of the Gift in the Economy of Sex Work. American Anthropologist. Retrieved March, 30 2024, from Doi:10.1111/aman.13782. Gbakaan Orseer, Farmer, Gboko, 20.03.2024.
Gumert, M. D. (2007). Payment for Sex in a Macaque Mating Market. Animal Behaviour, 74(1), 1655-1667.
Ihuah, A. S. (2021). Womanhood in Tiv Culture: A Deconstructive Analysis of Gender Roles in Africa. Philosophy and Praxis, 11(2), 108-130.
Jonason, P. K., Cetrulo, J. F., Madrid, J. M., & Morrison, C. (2009). Gift-Gifting as a Courtship or Mate Retention Tactics? Insights from Non-Human Models. Evolutionary Psychology, 7(1), 89-103.
Karras, R. M. (2005). Sexuality in Medieval Europe: Doing Unto Others. London: Routledge.
Kinsella, E. L., Ritchie, T. D., & Igou, E. R. (2017). On the Bravery and Courage of Heroes: Considering Gender. Heroism Science, 2(1), 1-14.
Kissi, S. (2021). The Relevance of 1 Corinthians 7 for Sex in Marriage and Christian Spirituality in Africa. Journal of Applied Thought, 4(2), 66-89.
Madlala, S., & Ankomah, A. (2004). Sexuality Africa Field of Sexuality Studies: What is it? A Project of Action Health Incorporated. Sexuality in Africa Magazine, 1(1), 1-16.
Makar, T. 1994. A History of Political Change Among the Tiv in the 18th and 19th Centuries. Enugu: Fourth Dimension Press.
Mbaye, A. C. (2022). Readings in Sexuality from Africa. African Studies Review, 65(1), 6-7.
Mcleod, S. 2024. Solomon Asch Conformity Line Experiment Study. Simple Psychology. Retrieved June, 30, 2024, from https://www.simplypsychology.org/asch-conformity.htmlsimple.
Negedu, I., & Ojomah, S. (2018). Deconstructing African History from Western Historicism. Alternation Special Edition, 23(1), 302-325.
Nnaji, I. C., & Okoye, C. B. (2024). Women, Marriage and Betrayal of Trust in Selected Nigerian Dramas. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Invention, 11(6), 8210-82017.
Odemegwu, C., & Okemgbo, R. A. (2010). Dynamics of Gender-based Violence among the Tivs of North Central Nigeria. African Population Studies, 24(3), 238-258.
Okpeh, O. O., & Ugbegili, S. I. (2013). Themes on Nigerian History, Peoples and Culture. Makurdi: VAST Publishers.
Okpoko, C. C., & Anadoni, A. U. (2023). Audience Perception of Sex for Grades in Nigeria Tertiary Institutions: A Contemporary Review of Social Media Reactions to the 2019 BBC African Eye Report by Kiki Mordi. IMSU Journal of Communication Studies, 7(1), 294-303.
Parkinson, B. (2024). Social Perception and Attribution. Retrieved June 30, 2024, from https://www.blackwellpublishing.com/content/hewstonesocialpsychology/chapters/cpt3.pdf.
Pipyrou, S. (2014). Altruism and Sacrifice: Mafia Free Gift Giving in South Italy. Anthropological Forum, 24(4), 412-416.
Polese, A. (2014). Informal Payments in Ukrainian Hospitals: on the Boundary Between Informal Payments, Gifts, and Bribes. Anthropological Forum, 24(4), 381-395.
Schepher-Hughs, N. (2007). The Tyranny of the Gifts: Sacrificial Violence in Living Donor Transplant. American Journal of Transplants, 2(3), 507-511.
Soble, A. (2002). Sexual Use and What to Do About It: Internalist and Externalist Sexual Ethics. The Philosophy of Love and Sex, 2(2), 6-19.
Soble, A. (2019). Sexual Gifts and Sexual Duties. SSRN Electronic Journal, 2(18), 1-11.
Stan, S. (2012). Neither Commodities nor Gifts: Post-Socialist Informal Exchanges in the Romanian Healthcare System. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 18(1), 65-82.
Tamale, S. (2012). African Sexualities: A Reader. Oxford: Cambridge University Press.
Timium, G. A. (2017). Erotica Scenes in Nollywood Home Videos: Unsafe Sexual Behaviours and HIV risk amongst viewers in Tivland, North Central Nigeria. International Journal of Development and Sustainability, 6(5), 229.238.
Torkula, A. A. (2004). Cultural Institutions of Marriage and Family Stability among the Tiv People of Central Nigeria. Jos: Ehindero Press Ltd.
Tsenongu, M. (2011). Nuptial Poetry among the Tiv of Nigeria. Tydskrif Vir Letterkunde, 48(1), 133-150.
Tyubeen, B. (2006). Influence of Extreme Climate on Communal Disputes and Violence in Tiv Area of Benue State. In Gyuse, T. et al (eds.) Conflicts in the Benue Valley (pp. 34-40). Makurdi: Benue State University Press.
Ukpe, E. B. 2004. Human Sexuality in Nigeria: A Historical Perspective. Understanding Human Sexuality Seminar Series. Nigeria: Africa Regional Sexuality Resource Centre.
Utov, I. (2000). The Underdevelopment of Tivland through Land Disputes and communal clashes. Makurdi: The Return Press.
Wayas, D. T., & David-Wayas, O. (2020). Abolition of Exchange Marriage System Amongst the Tiv People and Its Socioeconomic Implications. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 4(5), 427-430.
Wegh, F. S. (2003). Between Continuity and Change: Tiv Concept of Tradition and Modernity. Lagos: OVC Nigeria Limited.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/13835
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2025 Canadian Social Science
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Reminder
- How to do online submission to another Journal?
- If you have already registered in Journal A, then how can you submit another article to Journal B? It takes two steps to make it happen:
Submission Guidelines for Canadian Social Science
We are currently accepting submissions via email only. The registration and online submission functions have been disabled.
Please send your manuscripts to css@cscanada.net，or css@cscanada.org for consideration. We look forward to receiving your work.
Articles published in Canadian Social Science are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC-BY).
Canadian Social Science Editorial Office
Address: 1020 Bouvier Street, Suite 400, Quebec City, Quebec, G2K 0K9, Canada.
Telephone: 1-514-558 6138
Website: Http://www.cscanada.net; Http://www.cscanada.org
E-mail:caooc@hotmail.com; office@cscanada.net
Copyright © Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture 
