In Vandeikya, inter-ethnic
marriages fosters peaceful co-existence
By MAURICE ARCHIBONG
Thursday,
September 20, 2007
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•Statue
of monkeys on the rock, at Vandeikya Council Secretariat.
PHOTOS: MAURICE ARCHIBONG
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Over the last several weeks, we’d been exploring Nigeria’s
border areas with various neighbouring countries. One of the
things we had been looking at was how peaceful co-existence
could be fostered and sustained between communities on the
Nigerian side and their counterparts across the frontier.
Aside the fringe settlements, we had also turned our searchlight
on Nigerian societies further hinterland; and we are happy
to report that the Tiv settlement of Vandeikya is one of the
models of a boundary area, where peaceful co-existence has
gained incalculable mileage through inter-ethnic marriages
and more robust social interactions.
Vandeikya is both the name of a town as well as a Local Government
Area (LGA). The seat of the Local Council is in this town,
from which the LGA derived its name. "Travels" learnt
that Vandeikya, which shares boundary with Obudu and Ogoja
Local Government Areas of Cross River State, is also bordered
by three Tiv-speaking LGAs: Ushongo (North), Kwande (East)
and Konshisha (Northwest). Currently, Vandeikya is one of
the 23 LGAs of Benue, and Tiv components account for 14 of
this number. Vandeikya LGA boasts Tser, Ihugh, Kote, Adamgbe
and Gbem, among other towns/villages.
Truly, there have been numerous clashes between the Tiv and
their neighbours over the decades. Thus, some people are wont
to see the Tiv as garrulous. However, there’s no doubt
that the Tiv are famed as one of Nigeria’s bravest and
most industrious peoples. And Vandeikya is at least one part
of Nigeria, where the Tiv live more harmoniously with members
of other ethnic groups. The situation may not be perfect,
yet, but it throws some light on the impact that cross-cultural
nuptials and greater social interaction could have on peaceful
co-habitation or, at least, helping to reduce the level of
bloodshed and arson in the unfortunate outbreak of a conflict.
To be candid, there are people, who are so vile that social
interactions or even matrimonial unions cut no ice with them.
Fortunately, the Tiv of Vandeikya are more polished than that.
Welcome to Vandeikya, land of the Kunav people of the Tiv-speaking
nation. In these climes, in ancient times, local Tiv were
mortal enemies of their immediate neighbours and vice versa.
Over the last century, however, inter-ethnic marriages have
spawned special relations among the inhabitants of the surrounding
boundary areas.
Take the case of the late General John Mark Inienger, for
example: His father was Tiv from Mbaduku, while his mom hailed
from Bebuabung in the Cross River State town of Obudu. Bebuabung
stands within Obudu urban but the Iniengers’ family
house lies near the boundary between Tiv and Obudu lands.
Experience shows that during any outbreak of hostilities between
Tiv and Obudu youths, as soon as the warriors get to the compound
of the late General’s parents on either side, they observe
a ceasefire, only to continue the war as soon as they are
beyond the household of their in-laws.
There is also the heart-warming story of the relationship
between the Vandeikya Tiv and the people of Ogoja. This lovely
ties date back more than a century, when, against the run
of tide, those days, a Vandeikya Tiv man went and took a wife
of Ishibori origin.
One of the fruits of that union was Agbo Kpile, the late founder
of Agbo Market, Vandeikya’s most important emporium
by every measure. After the birth of Agbo Kpile, there had
been, and continues to be, many offspring from similar nuptials
inspired by love without frontiers. And communities on either
side of various boundaries have been better for it.
For example, on July 28, this year, when Beeka Catholic Church
opened in Vandeikya, a formidable delegation came from Ishibori
and other parts of Ogoja to felicitate with their kith and
kin. In the same vein, the Tiv of Vandeikya are also always
there to share in the joy or sorrow of the Ogoja people. Through
such relationships, the Tiv of Vandeikya and the Ishibori
of Ogoja could never go to war, unlike centuries ago, when
they were sworn enemies, respondents opined.
Apart from matrimonial ties, the Tiv of Vandeikya, on one
hand, and Cross River clans of Obudu, Bekwarra and Sankwala
et cetera have other fora, where they come together. Pounded
yam, bush meat and palm wine frequently bring these peoples
together.
Those, who should know, say the Tiv also display an uncommon
love of pear, which grow in abundance across neighbouring
Cross River lands. Thus, every evening, countless Tiv men,
young and old, wash into Obudu, Bekwarra and neighbouring
lands, for relaxation at numerous local bars, where the visitor
could hardly tell, who hailed from which parts. At some of
such spots, "Travels" found in-laws, cousins, friends
and acquaintances living it up and chatting cheerfully. The
atmosphere was so cheery and infectious one couldn’t
help joining in. Owing to the enviable level of social interaction
between the Kunav and their neighbours, it is sometimes difficult
to tell, where Obudu and Ogoja, both on the northern extremes
of Cross River State, ends and where the Benue State local
government area of Vandeikya starts.
Vandeikya and her century-old makeshift mart
Barely five years from now, Agbo Market would clock 100 years.
Unfortunately, the emporium’s structure belies the history
and commercial prowess of this town’s main mart. We
turned to Chief Terwase Agbo, Overseer of Vandeikya’s
Main Market, for some insight into the history of the mart.
Chief Agbo said, "Agbo Market was founded by Agbo Kpile
around 1912 and that leadership of the mart is hereditary,
which explains his name, Agbo. The incumbent market overseer,
who is the 28th leader since the emporium was established,
added: "Those days, inhabitants of today’s Konshisha
LGA and lots of people elsewhere relied on Agbo Market."
Chief Agbo opined that early exposure to trading; facilitated
by Agbo Market, resulted in Vandeikya subsequently producing
most of the merchants in Tiv land.
Unfortunately, despite the ancient status of Agbo Market,
that emporium, which has 370 lock-up stores and 50 open-air
sheds, is rather small in real terms. Nevertheless, few markets
can compare to Agbo with regard to the volumes of groundnut
(ahi), kolanut (gogh), sweet potato, rice, pepper (mkem),
tomato, pig (igo), chicken (ikyegh), goat (ivo) and so on,
which change hands here for cash, despite this market’s
modest structure.
Agbo Market is bordered by River Aya, which is the source
of water for locals and traders using the commercial hub.
However, River Aya recedes seriously during the day season,
resulting water scarcity. Although Agbo market is a regular
source of revenue to Vandeikya Council, we found neither infrastructure,
let alone office for the leading traders inside the market.
Hear the lament of Chief Agbo, the Market Overseer: "Successive
council executives had been promising to drill water borehole
and build offices for us, all to no avail." Unfortunately,
after almost 100 years of serving the community and generating
huge sums to the council’s coffers for decades, Agbo
Market has little to show for its important role in the locals’
heritage.
Vandeikya Monarchy and Culture
The Paramount Ruler of Vandeikya is known as "Ter-Kunav."
"Ter" translates as father, while Kunav is the name
of Vandeikya’s Tiv people. The reigning Ter Kunav is
HRH David Dyako Atser, Ter-Kunav I and his Palace stands off
Adikpo-Kwande Road in the GRA area, but the route to HRH residence
is far from smooth. Aside from being ravaged by erosion, the
avenue even poses a challenge to a pedestrian because of its
rough nature. It was here we spoke with the royal father.
On January 1, 2008, this royal personage would clock 15 years
since his coronation, as the premiere monarch of all the Kunav
people. This means that the throne of paramount ruler of Vandeikya
is a relatively recent one, since the reigning monarch, is
the first occupant of that stool, which was instituted in
1993.
A former Director of Finance and Supplies in the Benue State
Judicial Services, how did the royal father cope, when he
had to relocate to quasi-rural Vandeikya, following his nomination
in 1992 to wear the crown of Ter-Kunav?
"If the early Christian missionaries could leave their
luxurious homes to come and live in the bush, why can’t
we? This is my home, so why can’t I live here. It was
no problem at all. I had to make sacrifices, after all in
the 1940s, white people were already in Vandeikya and those
days, there was no electricity and the roads were not coated
with asphalt," he declared.
HRH David Dyako Atser, said, Vandekya Kingdom comprises 11
Districts, made up of 55 Kindred Heads. A traditional chief
or District Head (Tyoor) presides over each district, while
an "Ortaar" is leader of each kindred. Thus, Vandeikya
Traditional Rulers’ Council (VTRC) comprises 67 members,
11 Tyoor and 55 Ortaar as well as the Ter-Kunav. While the
VTRC holds a monthly meeting chaired by the Ter-Kunav, each
Ortaar meets with members of his council weekly. We met an
Ortaar, Chief Ahile Agaagba of Nbapuusu, during our visit
to Vandeikya. Our trip to the temporary residence of the Ter-Kunav
coincided with a meeting of that paramount ruler with the
Kindred Head of Nbapuusu, which lies next to Konshisha LGA.
Pigs and chicks are superior in Monkeys on the rocks
Reliable sources, including the Ter-Kunav, say Vandeikya translates
as "Monkey on the rocks" or "Stones of monkeys."
The royal father said this town’s name derives from
two Tiv language words, "Vande-ikya." "Vande"
stands for stone/rock, while "Ikya" means monkeys.
In fact, a monument in front of the Vandeikya Local Government
(LGA) Secretariat poignantly emphasizes the etymology of this
settlement’s name.
That cement sculpture, which features two monkeys atop a conical
hill, stands along the avenue linking the Vandeikya-Ogoja
Road to Tser, which shares boundary with Obudu.
Oral tradition has it that the earliest inhabitants of this
town foisted Vandeikya on it because the surrounding hills
were swarming with monkeys. However, the tourist is not likely
to find any monkey here nowadays. Locals say the mammals probably
relocated farther into the forests at the influx of men. However,
it is also possible the monkeys vanished into the inhabitants’
stomachs, for the natives, like other Tiv people are famed
for their love of meat. It is believed that "Munchi,"
the Hausa name for the Tiv, derived from these natives’
legendary love of meat. "Munchi" is believed to
be a contraption from the Hausa phrase for "We have eaten…"
As the fable goes, a Tiv and Fulani were given a pair of cows.
Years later, the donor went to visit both recipients. At the
abode of the Fulani, the sight of an impressive and thriving
herd gladdened the benefactor no end. But no animal was found
around the home of the Tiv. When asked where he kept his pen,
the Tiv said he had none.
The donor had then queried: "So, what happened to the
cattle I gave you?" The Tiv man’s response was:
"We ate them." That, in a nutshell, is how the Tiv
came to be called "Munchi" by the Hausa. It is worth
noting, however, that this fable fails to tell what name the
Hausa called the Tiv before "Munchi" was coined
and whether "Fulani" translates as "We bred
them."
Curiously, the locals consider two other animals, the pig
(igo) and chicken (ikyegh) more important than the monkey
that gave Vandeikya its name. The pig and chicken are the
most important items in Tiv traditional festivities. Be it
to celebrate a birth or mourn a death, pork and chicken must
be served. Thus, across Vandeikya as in other Tiv lands, it
is unthinkable to go seeking a lady’s hand in marriage
without the pig and chicken accompanying the suitors. Both
"igo" and "ikyegh" play crucial roles
either during events that called for joy or sadness: funeral
ceremony, reconciliation, estate acquisition or house-warming,
and so on.
Whatever the case, the Tiv love to eat meat aplenty, and ample
proof of this could be gleaned from the fact that "Nyamtoho"
(bush meat), sells like hot cake across Tiv lands. From Tser
to Gboko, from Garkem to Aliede, "Nyamtoho" is consumed
with gusto. Alongside "Nyamtoho," the Tiv also love
"Luam-kumen" (pounded yam), and the good, good life
generally. Most of them also drink "burukutu" in
quantum. And do they know how to wriggle to the sound of "Swange"?
"Swange" is a delectable music that only the Tiv
could play. Aside "Swange," the Tiv also boast "Kwagh-hir,
a sort of opera-cum-puppetry, which the tourist would find
most entertaining. Add to these, the Tiv traditional attire,
"Anger" and a more colourful outing would be hard
to find!
But the average Tiv has good reasons to make merry frequently,
for he/she is an epitome of hard work and industry.
Who is who in Vandeikya
Like most communities, Vandeikya has also produced distinguished
personalities. Aside the paramount ruler, Vandeikya’s
other notable names include Chief (Dr) Godwin Dabo-Adzuana,
Senator (Dr) Jack Tilley-Gyado, Dr. Terhemba Shiga, a former
Member of House of Representatives and currently lecturer
at Nassarawa State University, Late Major-General John Mark
Inienger, Major-General India Garba (rtd) and Brigadier-General
Stephen Ikya as well as outstanding artists like Blaise Gundu
Gbaden, painting lecturer at University of Maiduguri, and
singer and torch-bearer Zaki Adzee and Zu-lezu.
Amenities
Vandeikya might seem close but it’s very far away, in
terms of infrastructure. The absence of a newsstand and newspapers,
generally, should give some idea of how remote the apparently
accessible settlement of Vandeikya could be. But availability
of papers and magazines is one thing, while ability to pay
for them is quite another.
Do the locals have enough disposable income to spend on newspapers?
Chief Agbo, the Market Overseer, had this to say: "We
are not necessarily millionaires, but we value information
and would gladly buy and read newspapers. Unfortunately, vendors
don’t get here."
Painfully, non-availability of newspapers must rank among
the least of the worries of the inhabitants of Vandeikya,
which boasts neither pipe-borne water nor regular electricity.
Hear Mr. Godfrey Yaasa Ikyagba, a native of Vandeikya: "We
desperately need electricity. All the wires, overhead, are
mere decoration.
"It’s been like this for 10 years." Ikyagba
has good reasons to worry: He is Manager of Vandeikya’s
Lion Plaza Hotel, which like other enterprises in Nigeria
groans under spiraling overhead caused by epileptic power
supply. Hear his rue: "Until a few months ago, we used
to spend N1, 850 on diesel to fuel our generator daily. Those
days, we burnt N1, 850 worth of diesel every night. Now, at
N85 per litre, we spend N3, 000 daily, which translates as
N21, 000 weekly. But when we have a full house and the generator
runs all night, it means we have to burn 50 litres of fuel.
This comes to N6, 000, per night or N42, 000 weekly."
It didn’t therefore come as a surprise, when Ikyagba
said that rates would be lower at that in, if public electricity
supply was regular. Although pipe-borne water does not flow
across Vandeikya, Lion Plaza Hotel has no problem with water.
"We have a borehole. In fact, we supply water to other
residents of this town for free," Ikyagba added.
Although Mr. Nyamshar Emmanuel, a resident of Vandeikya, was
initially hesitant, saying he was usually wary of commenting
on the issue of deficiency or lack of public amenities, the
man eventually exploded: "Sometimes, we would have light
for two hours, only to suffer blackout for six months."
"Even, when there was electricity supply; there was no
time we enjoyed supply for more than six hours uninterrupted.
At that time, disconnection was rampant, if you didn’t
pay. Now, we’re left to run solely on generator. So,
whether you are a barber, hair-dresser or whatever, rich or
poor, some people have to borrow money to fuel generators,
otherwise they’d be out of business."
Still on the parlous energy situation in the country as a
whole, and Vandeikya in particular, another respondent Mr.
Gboko Titus had this to say: "Over the last three years,
we sometimes see light for two hours, only to suffer blackout
for more than six months. This is very sad; the absence of
energy has scared off investors, in spite of the industrial
potentialities of Vandeikya."
On the availability of potable water, the hotel manager said:
"Plaza has no problem with water; we have our own water
borehole. In fact, and we supply water to other residents
of this town for free."
As regards the state of Vandeikya road network, all the respondents
were unanimous in the view that Vandeikya residents have suffered
for too long. Mr. Titus helped to encapsulate their impressions
this way: "The roads are very bad, as you’ve already
seen. This Vandeikya-Obudu Road is a federal road leading
to other states. But as you can see, it is nothing to write
home about."
Encounter with Eze Ndi-Igbo of Vandeikya
As is the case in countless settlements, Vandeikya boasts
traditional rulers for non-indigene communities. However,
for inexplicable reasons, Vandeikya has no "Oba"
because Yoruba community is virtually non-existent or invisible
in Vandeikya. We thus set out to meet "Seriki Hausawa"
(King of the local Hausa/Fulani) and "Eze Ndi-Igbo."
Unfortunately, when our guide, Prince Sekav Agbo, took us
to the "Gidan Seriki" (home of the king), Alhaji
Ahmadu Ali, we were told that the gentleman had travelled
out. This is the reason; we are featuring only Eze Ndi-Igbo
in today’s account of our latest trip to Vandeikya.
Chief John Chibuogwu is Eze Ndi-Igbo of Vandeikya. Originally,
from Awka in Anambra State, the Igbo-born man speaks Tiv eloquently
because, when he came to Vandeikya in 1958, he was a very
young lad. He reckoned his enjoyable interaction with Tiv
youth from his childhood to date facilitated his firm grasp
of the indigenous tongue.
Where to stay
For a relatively small town, Vandeikya has a comparatively
large number of hotels. A snappy roll call would include Lion
Plaza Hotel, Kyabiz Hill Top Hotel, D-K Hotel and Iorfa Guest
House. Iorfa guest house stands behind the Grade A Area Court,
while Kyabiz Hill Top is opposite the local Universal Basic
Education (UBE) School. A 16-room affair, four-year-old Lion
Plaza Hotel is near the Federal Government College, which
is located in the New Market Area. Each room/suite is equipped
with en suite bathroom/toilet, satellite TV and Air Conditioner.
There’s a well-stocked bar and cost of accommodation
ranges from N1, 500 to N3, 000.
Epilogue
Fortunately, what Vandeikya lacks by way of modern amenities,
are more than made up for by security of life and property.
Crime rate is so low in Vandeikya that the last time highway
robbers struck around that vicinity, along the local federal
highway, was in late 2006.
Sometimes, one thinks the Tiv grow more food than haulage
trucks can evacuate. This is reminiscent of the sight of countless
lorries over-laden with foodstuff departing Yandev Junction
in the Tiv spiritual capital of Gboko, even as more trucks
are parking to take away more yams and what have you.
Thus, the harvest I brought from my sojourn in Vandeikya couldn’t
possibly be emptied in one report. This is why we’d
be returning to Land of the Kunav again, in the near future.
No lore of the Kunav settlement of Vandeikya could be complete
without reference to the locals’ love of palm wine,
whereas "Burukutu," that potent home brew, is favoured
in other parts of Tiv land.
Although some Vandeikya Tiv still quaff burukut, they have
to wait till Sundays, when the supply flows at Kongbande Village.
We therefore set out to explore where some Vandeikya people
go for "Ito" (Palm wine). My newfound brothers led
me to Madam Margaret Ukpu-Betse’s Palm wine Joint, which
stands roughly 15 minutes’ drive from College of Education,
Obudu. And believe me, it was an unforgettable send forth
I got!
Aside the very low crime rate and staggering volumes of agricultural
produce, Vandeikya has contributed in no little measure to
fostering national integration in much the same way that the
people of Cross River State and other parts have done.
Apart from Mrs. Theresa Terhemba Shiga (Nee Archibong), who
is Efik, it could be recalled that recently out gone Cross
River Governor Donald Duke chose his wife from Kalabari ethnic
group in Rivers State. Moreover, the current Cross River Governor,
Senator Liyel Imoke also went to Igbo land to pick Mrs. Obioma
Imoke. |
