Opinoin: Living in huts, primitive: A memo to Tor Tiv

By Gurgur Japheth

One of the existential, cultural problems hindering development and civilization in Tiv rural communities is this thing called “Thatch House”. The typical Tiv man is conditioned to live in huts and feel very comfortable and at peace with his kit and kin. Building a house with zinc roof was seen as a not do or a call for problems just like buying of a car used to be.

In Shima Ayati ‘s book, “Shawon”, Mr. Mtswenem Adi was the 1st Tiv man to build a zinc house in Katsina Ala Division. The house was later abandoned and deserted as a result of witchcraft that it, inter alia, attracted to the owner, who died mysteriously.

The experience of Mtswenem Adi appears to have become the ‘wisdom’ of many Tiv people, who despite being very rich farmers, choose to live with thousandths of tubers of yam in huts made from mud and thatches in orderr to save their lives from the envy of others.

This culture is not only primitive but has affected negatively, the economy of rural dwellers since year in year out, the huts must undergo renovation with both the grass and bamboo replacements.

Again, the risk of fire incidence becomes a perpetual phenomenon costing damages in millions and loss of lives.

In submission, it is far cheaper and safer to roof the mud house with zinc than thatches. A bundle of zinc costs about N10,000. Looking at the size of the huts, one bundle is enough to cover for a room. Our people must be encouraged to change from this poverty lifestyle. Our Tor Tiv can add this to the menu anytime he is on Christian crusade too.

I spent one year in Enugu State on NYSC, during which I visited the most interior communities like Ezeagu, Umudim, Ohiandiagwu, etc, I never saw thatched huts or houses. No matter how poor a family was, they lived in a house with zinc roof. Again, even here in Idoma land for example, nobody lives in thatched house roofed with grass. No matter how muddy, it is zinc roofed.

A bag of soyabean or rice is more than a bundle of zinc!