The Tiv: A Non-Centralized Society in Nigeria History JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 2

History Lesson Plan: Non-Centralized States – The Tiv

1. Subject: History
2. Class: JSS 2
3. Term: First Term
4. Week: 2
5. Age: 12-13 years
6. Topic: Non-Centralized States: The Tiv
7. Sub-Topic: Geographical Location, Culture, and Political Organization of the Tiv
8. Duration: 40 minutes
9. Behavioral Objectives:
   By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
   1. Identify the geographical location of the Tiv people.
   2. Describe the culture of the Tiv.
   3. Explain the political organization of the Tiv.
10. Keywords: Tiv, Benue, non-centralized, kinship, consensus, clan.
11. Set Induction:
    The teacher will ask, “Have you heard about the Tiv people? What do you know about their way of life?” This will engage students and spark interest in the lesson.
12. Entry Behavior:
    Students have a basic understanding of non-centralized states from the previous lesson.
13. Learning Resources and Materials:

• Maps showing Benue State and Tiv settlements.
• Pictures of traditional Tiv ceremonies or leaders.

14. Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:
    Students previously learned the general concept of non-centralized states, focusing on decentralized leadership. This lesson delves into a specific example: the Tiv people.
15. Embedded Core Skills:

• Critical thinking
• Map reading skills
• Collaboration in class discussions

16. Reference Books:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work for History
• History for Junior Secondary Schools

17. Instructional Materials:

• Map of Nigeria showing the location of the Tiv people.
• Pictures of Tiv cultural attire and political assemblies.

Content

Geographical Location of the Tiv

• The Tiv people are located primarily in Benue State in North-Central Nigeria.
• They also spread into parts of Taraba and Nasarawa States.
• The area is dominated by rivers, such as the Benue River, which supports their farming lifestyle.

Culture of the Tiv

1. Language: The Tiv speak Tiv language, which is part of the Benue-Congo family of languages.
2. Occupation: They are mainly farmers, cultivating crops such as yam, cassava, and maize.
3. Festivals: They celebrate cultural festivals like the Kwagh-hir festival, which showcases Tiv storytelling and masquerades.
4. Marriage: Marriage is arranged through family negotiations, with a system called exchange marriage (Ijov).
5. Religion: The Tiv traditionally worshipped Aondo, a sky god, though many now practice Christianity.

Political Organization of the Tiv

• The Tiv had no central ruler; instead, authority was distributed among elders within families and clans.
• Council of Elders: Each clan was governed by elders who made decisions collectively through consensus.
• Age Grades: Young men were organized into age grades to perform duties like security and community development.
• Kindred Units: The Tiv society was divided into small family units called “Ityo”, which made administrative decisions for their members.
• Conflict Resolution: Disputes were settled through discussions among elders or village councils.

Evaluation

1. The Tiv people are primarily located in ______ State.
   a) Lagos b) Benue c) Sokoto d) Kano
   Answer: b) Benue
2. The Tiv people practice ______ farming.
   a) Subsistence b) Industrial c) Mechanized d) Fish
   Answer: a) Subsistence
3. The Tiv traditionally worshipped a god called ______.
   a) Aondo b) Ogun c) Amadioha d) Sango
   Answer: a) Aondo
4. Decisions in Tiv society were made by a ______ of elders.
   a) Council b) King c) Minister d) Governor
   Answer: a) Council
5. ______ is a festival that showcases Tiv storytelling and masquerades.
   a) Ijov b) Kwagh-hir c) Egungun d) Osun-Osogbo
   Answer: b) Kwagh-hir
6. Tiv families are organized into smaller units called ______.
   a) Ityo b) Emirate c) Igwe d) Clan
   Answer: a) Ityo
7. Marriage among the Tiv people sometimes follows the system of ______ marriage.
   a) Forced b) Exchange c) Polygamous d) Royal
   Answer: b) Exchange
8. The Tiv society functions without a ______ authority.
   a) Military b) Centralized c) Religious d) Judicial
   Answer: b) Centralized
9. The Tiv people mainly grow ______ as one of their crops.
   a) Cocoa b) Yam c) Cotton d) Palm oil
   Answer: b) Yam
10. Disputes in Tiv society are resolved through ______ among elders.
    a) War b) Bribery c) Discussions d) Fines
    Answer: c) Discussions

Class Activity Discussion

1. Where are the Tiv people located?
   In Benue, Taraba, and Nasarawa States.
2. What language do the Tiv people speak?
   Tiv language.
3. What crops do the Tiv people grow?
   Yam, cassava, and maize.
4. What is Kwagh-hir?
   A Tiv festival showcasing storytelling and masquerades.
5. How is marriage arranged among the Tiv people?
   Through family negotiations, sometimes using exchange marriage.
6. Did the Tiv have a king?
   No, they had no central ruler.
7. What god did the Tiv traditionally worship?
   Aondo, the sky god.
8. What role did age grades play?
   They performed duties like security and community development.
9. What is Ityo in Tiv society?
   A family unit responsible for making decisions.
10. How were disputes resolved among the Tiv?
    Through discussions and consensus among elders.

Presentation Steps

1. Step 1: Revising the previous lesson on non-centralized states.
2. Step 2: Introducing the Tiv as a non-centralized state with their unique culture and political structure.
3. Step 3: Allowing students to share what they know about the Tiv, and correcting any misconceptions.

Teacher’s Activities

• Display the map showing Tiv settlements in Benue State.
• Explain the Tiv people’s political organization and culture.
• Guide students in discussions about how the Tiv resolved conflicts.

Learners’ Activities

• Identify Tiv settlements on the map.
• Participate in discussions about the Tiv way of life.
• Answer questions during and after the lesson.

Assessment

• Describe the political organization of the Tiv people.
• List two crops cultivated by the Tiv.

Evaluation Questions

1. Where are the Tiv people located?
2. Name one crop grown by the Tiv people.
3. What is the Kwagh-hir festival known for?
4. How were conflicts resolved among the Tiv?
5. What family unit governs the Tiv people?
6. What was the role of age grades in Tiv society?
7. Did the Tiv people have kings?
8. What system of marriage is practiced among the Tiv?
9. Name the river that flows through Tiv land.
10. What god did the Tiv people worship traditionally?

Conclusion

The teacher will summarize the lesson by highlighting the geographical location, culture, and political organization of the Tiv. Students’ work will be marked, and any areas of difficulty will be clarified.