Aspects of traditional Tiv naming practices: A sociocultural account. (19th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mensah, Eyo; Rowan, Kirsty; Tiav, Akase; Ishima, Jighjigh
• Is Part Of: Sociolinguistic studies. Volume 13:Number 2/4(2019)
• Page Start: 209
• Page End: 230
• Publication Date: 2019-07-19
• Subjects: tiv -- social structure -- environment -- personal names -- nigeria -- identity -- tradition -- ethnopragmatics; Sociolinguistics -- Periodicals; 306.4405
• DOI: 10.1558/sols.37820
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-8649

Abstract

Abstract : Naming in the African cultural context serves both referential and connotative functions asa unique means of identity construction which contains important cultural meaning andmetaphysical presuppositions. Among the Tiv people of Benue State, North-centralNigeria, personal names reflect social relations and reveal major insights into their history, philosophy, language, spirituality and worldview. Naming practices in Tiv are indicative ofthe community's social existence and redefine the essence of its being. This articleexplores the interaction of the Tiv people naming system with their sociocultural experienceand physical environment. We investigate how naming intersects with social classdistinction (wealth vs. poverty), emotions, occupations and topography, and examine theirsources, social categorization and socio-onomastic significance. This study is theoreticallyrooted in Goddard's (2006) ethnopragmatic paradigm which examines the locally relevantconstruction of cultural and contextual meanings in the interpretation of language. Data forthe study were sourced from two Tiv communities of Gboko and Makurdi in Benue State, Nigeria through participant observations, personal interviews and conversations withname-bearers, -givers and -users. We conclude that Tiv personal names reflect the socioculturalenvironment and provide prominent sites for the creative expression of the Tivsocial universe and lived cultural experiences.