
16/09/2025
Tiv People and the Origin of Farming in Africa and Beyond
The Tiv people were among the earliest humans to practice the deliberate cultivation of edible plants for food production.
According to The Battle of Karagbe: The Forbidden History and other Tiv historical accounts, Tiv—the ancestral father of the Tiv tribe—was the first to discover and develop the act of soil cultivation.
While other members of his extended family relied on daily hunting for survival, Tiv and his household began collecting edible plants from the wild and cultivating them in the soil. Gifted with the ability to identify, preserve, and grow edible species, Tiv became a central figure in the earliest human settlements.
Because Tiv produced enough food to share, his generosity made him the family’s most beloved child. His ability to maintain order and provide sustenance, even in the absence of their parents, elevated his status as a natural leader.
However, this favor sparked envy and jealousy. After their parents passed, some family members conspired to eliminate Tiv and his household. One of the conspirators, sympathetic to Tiv’s kindness, secretly revealed the plot to him.
Tiv responded not with panic, but with wisdom. On the appointed day, he hosted a lavish feast, serving abundant food and liquor. The very relatives who sought his destruction ate and drank until they fell into a deep sleep. Tiv and his family seized the moment, escaping safely into the unknown.
For centuries, the descendants of Tiv wandered in search of fertile land. Over time, the family multiplied into a large population. Eventually, around 6,000 BC, they settled in Karagbe—the region straddling present-day Nigeria and Cameroon—where they established the first Bantu settlement. From this base, the Tiv (known widely as the Bantu) spread across Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa, as well as parts of West Africa.
Throughout history, the Tiv people have preserved their deep-rooted tradition of soil cultivation. Their innovation laid the foundation for what later evolved into modern farming practices.
For a more detailed account, consult The Battle of Karagbe: The Forbidden History, alongside studies on Bantu history, migration, and the oral traditions of the Tiv.