Tiv Traditional Art: "Itimbe-Gbenda" and Its Dying Essence

Centuries ago when traditional art was being practiced at its peak, art was considered as a chief source of life to the cultural practices of the people in the community/society. In a traditional Tiv society, for example, every family house or grown-up person (adult) used to have Itimbe-gbenda strategically installed at the entrance way to the compound. Itimbe-gbenda is an artistically carved object in human form with traditional motifs on the surface. At the top of the object, is usually covered with woven thatched grass which, if viewed from far, makes the object looks like a cap hanged on a stick. Two shiny black stones are placed at the bottom of the carved wood. The Tiv people traditionally believed that Itimbe-gbenda brings luck to the family or the person that owns it. The object was usually renewed once in every year by incantations and libations. The vicinity where the object is installed (dug and fixed in the ground) is usually made clean by regularly sweeping at stated intervals as prescribed by Or-soren-kwagh (The traditional medicine man).

The Itimbe-gbenda is usually carved using a strong wood such that it can resist termites, rain and other natural factors which act upon the durability of the wood. Other un-lasting materials like thatched-grass (Ihila) and rope (Kor) used in tying round the object are usually ineffective and worn out after raining season. Hence, there is need to revive them yearly. The belief behind installing Itimbe-gbenda is that, the person or family whom the object is installed in his/their name will record success in farming, hunting, and other human engagements (activities) in the community.

The practice of traditional religion, in those days, made such art more applicable especially in establishing certain religious beliefs in the lives of the people. The rare thing in Itimbe-gbenda is that, those who install it must not look at the success of others with jealousy. Doing so will make ones luck not to shine. In this way, people famous with others successes, not necessarily because they really want to clarify with them but probably because they want their own luck to also shine.

This, in a way, helps in promoting the spirit of togetherness among the people in the community in addition as enhanced social co-existence of the individuals which is necessary for building the peace and unity of people in the society. Given this scenario, it can be observed that the triumph of modern art over traditional art has, in some circumstances, reduced the richness of the native cultures. Today, most cultural practices are merely carried out to commemorate the past events which had meaning and value to people in the community. Although modern artists have, in various ways, tried to regain the pride of art in todays society by combining traditional and modern methods/forms in the creation of art works, the true essence in addition as respect of art in traditional Tiv society and indeed many Nigerian cultures have been greatly reduced (if not completely lost). Such art forms, whether in painting or sculpture, have rare appearances that tend to harmonized cultures of a given geographical entity, they do not really serve the cultural meaning as it used to be in the past.

One fact which no one can deny is that, art is nevertheless considered or looked upon as a backbone to the existence and surviving spirit of many Nigerian cultures. The new forms of cultural characterize like Abuja and Calabar carnivals which are becoming the centre of worlds cultural allurement in Nigeria make use of different kinds of arts. The opening ceremonies of certain events like international football tournaments and other world events put the characterize of art in a central position.