|By Chinwendu Nwani
The paramount ruler of the Tiv Nation, His Royal Majesty, Prof. James Ayatse, the Tor Tiv V, has introduced far-reaching reforms to reshape traditional and cultural practices across Tiv land.
The announcement came during the Ijir Tamen, a high-level traditional council meeting held under the monarch’s leadership, where he unveiled new directives aimed at modernizing Tiv customs, promoting equality, cutting financial burdens, and upholding moral discipline among his people.
In a bold move to curb excesses, the Tor Tiv ordered that all burials be completed within three days and restricted to close family members. He cautioned against extravagant funerals and banned burial remembrances, describing them as “wasteful and unnecessary.” The monarch further declared that married women must no longer be taxed by their in-laws during burial preparations, except by personal choice.
Championing gender equality, Prof. Ayatse pronounced that women now have equal rights to inheritance, a decision he said must be protected by the courts to ensure fairness and justice in Tiv society.
Turning to traditional marriages, the Tor Tiv capped the total cost of traditional marriage items at ₦100,000, prohibited the cutting of cakes at traditional weddings, and ruled that bride celebrations must not take place in the father-in-law’s house. He also cautioned couples against domestic violence, urging mutual respect in marriages.
On leadership traditions, the monarch reaffirmed that no woman can be crowned king in Tiv land, warning against attempts to alter the long-standing law.
Prof. Ayatse further banned the production and consumption of locally brewed alcohol (Ogogoro) across Tiv land, emphasizing discipline and health consciousness among his people.
In a move to promote cultural identity and digital visibility, the Tor Tiv unveiled Tiv Television, which will begin operations on Facebook before expanding into a full broadcast channel. He also introduced a women’s empowerment initiative tagged BAM, designed to provide financial support and access to loans for Tiv women.
While security concerns also featured in the meeting, details of those discussions were withheld from the public.
The monarch declared that all amended traditional laws are binding on Tiv people globally, regardless of residence.
