REALL STORY BEHIND THE SAYING "TIV MEN OFFER THEIR WIVES TO VISITORS FOR SATISFACTION". The Truth You Should Know

A lot of people argue about this, even among the Tiv people themselves, and I have decided to clear the air.

So, in times past, anytime the Tiv people had male visitors, being very hospitable people they would normally select one of their best looking female
slaves to keep the visitor company for as long as
he chooses to stay.

The visitor who is most likely not aware of the status of the lady assumes she is his host's wife and goes about spreading rumours that the host gave him his wife.

The culture of giving female slaves to visitors is not
actually an act I can term benevolence because they did
so with hope of the slaves getting pregnant. And in situations where such
slaves get pregnant, the child she gives birth to becomes a
slave by birth.

This means more slaves and more hands on the farm works and other labour intensive works and in return, more money for the slave masters.

However, since slave trade has been abolished,
this practice has long stopped because their are no
more slaves to serve the purposes. That is why
most of us today who never witnessed slave trading only
hear the myth of "Tiv men offer their wives to visitors ".
It never happened and never will because Tiv men
are known for being overly jealous with their wives.
A Tiv man may pardon you for every other offence but not if
he catches you with his wife.
Tiv people highly respect themselves and never
compromise true born(mar-nya and slaves(Kpan).
That's why they leave the slaves for fellow slaves
or visitors to mate.
Till date, if you intend contesting for any political
appointment in Tiv land, they will first ask of your father' s house. To be sure if such person is a true son of the
soil or a slave. If you doubt me and still want to confirm and you have a Tiv friend, take the next bus to Tiv land in Benue state, visit him and wait till
he offers you his wife.

Sorry will be your name.

Thanks Hope You Are Cleared.