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On New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026, a delegation from Mzough U Tiv Worldwide, the global socio-cultural organization representing the Tiv people, arrived in Cameroon to participate in Tiv Day celebrations. The event, hosted by the Tiv Area Traditional Council (TATC), took place at Gar U Swem in Akwaya District, Southern Cameroon—a site revered in Tiv oral tradition as the ancient cradle of their ethnicity.
Samuel Allen Zenke, a member of the delegation, shared his profound experience in a series of social media posts that quickly gained attention among the Tiv diaspora and cultural enthusiasts. He described the visit as transformative, noting that he had “never felt Tiv like yesterday and today.” During the ceremonies, Zenke participated in sacred rituals at Swem, a potent ancestral symbol central to Tiv spirituality. He cast a stone as part of the traditional cleansing and purging rites for Tar Tiv, praying for the unity, progress, and development of Tiv people worldwide.
Swem, often depicted in Tiv lore as a sacred hill or pot used for oaths of truth and justice, holds deep significance. Oral histories trace Tiv origins to this mountainous region along the Nigeria-Cameroon border, where their progenitor, Tiv—son of the ancient figure Takuruku—settled before migrations led the people westward into the Benue Valley of present-day Nigeria. Zenke expressed astonishment upon discovering vibrant Tiv clans still thriving in Benue (a local term possibly referring to related communities), and he highlighted the substantial Tiv presence in Cameroon, estimating they comprise a notable portion of the population in certain areas.
The delegation, led by figures including Chief Luther Iorbee, Secretary General of Mzough U Tiv Worldwide, and Mr. Gbande David Atsu, President of Tiv Initiative Vision (TIV), received warm hospitality from Cameroonian Tiv hosts. Zenke extended gratitude to them, calling Chief Iorbee his “dear big brother and Boss.”
This visit underscores ongoing efforts to research and document Tiv origins and expansion. Zenke revealed plans for the delegation to travel across 23 African countries in a broader initiative to trace historical migrations and strengthen cultural ties. He declared himself “indeed proud” to be a Tiv man, promising more updates and videos upon return to Nigeria.
For the millions of Tiv people primarily in Nigeria’s Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, and other states—as well as smaller communities in Cameroon—these events represent more than celebration. They mark a reconnection with roots long preserved in oral tradition, fostering unity across borders in an era of renewed interest in African heritage and identity. As Zenke aptly put it, “It’s just the beginning.”
