Tiv people
Flag of the Tiv people | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| Approx. 5 million | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Nigeria, Cameroon | |
| Languages | |
| Tiv, Tivoid languages, English, French | |
| Religion | |
| Predominantly Christian, Tiv Traditional religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Utanga, Bitare, Mesaka, Iceve, Evant, Eman, Ipulo, Caka, Other Tivoid peoples |
| Person | Ọr Tiv |
|---|---|
| People | Tiv |
| Language | Dzwa Tiv |
| Country | Tar Tiv |
Tiv (or Tiiv) are a Bantu ethnic group. They constitute approximately 2.4% of Nigeria's total population, and number over 5 million individuals throughout Nigeria and Cameroon. The Tiv language is spoken by over 5 million people in Nigeria, with a few speakers in Cameroon. Most of the language's Nigerian speakers are found in Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Plateau and Cross River states. The language is a branch of Benue–Congo and ultimately of the Niger–Congo phylum. In pre-colonial times, the Fulani ethnic group referred to the Tiv as "Munchi" (also sometimes written Munshi e.g. Duggan, E. de C. 1932), a term not accepted by the Tiv people.