article
On the non-existence of an ancestor cult among the Tiv
Anthropos • 79 • Published In 1984 • Pages: 77-112
By: Edwards, Adrian Campion.
Abstract
In this article, Edwards argues that the Tiv are an exception among West African societies in not practicing ancestor worship, which is seen in the literature as a means of butressing the authority of lineage elders. Instead the Tiv have the institutional complex of witchcraft and fetishes which legitimate the authority of elders in a negative, fearful way. Edwards identifies a more powerful, but more marginal, outer supernatural realm occupied by sprites, shape-changers and the ancestral home of the Tiv, Mt. Swem. Edwards shows how women, young men and affines have recourse to challenge the authority of lineage elders through their own fetishes, curses and blessings which tap into this outer realm.
- HRAF PubDate
- 1998
- Region
- Africa
- Sub Region
- Western Africa
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 1996
- Field Date
- 1967-1982
- Coverage Date
- 1906-1982
- Coverage Place
- Benue State, Nigeria
- Notes
- Adrian Campion Edwards
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 111-112)
- LCSH
- Tiv (African people)