31/07/2025
ADAN-WADE KOHOL GA: A PEEP INTO THE ARCHIVES OF SEN. SUEMO CHIA
By Hennen Tahav
When I first read the English translation of the Tiv classic Adan-Wade Kohol Ga by Sen. Suemo Chia, I instantly placed it in the same literary league as works by William Shakespeare. Within the Nigerian literary space, it stands shoulder to shoulder with the writings of Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, and the likes.
The translation, titled The Story of Adan Wade, was done by the late Prof. Tyodzua Akosu, and even in English, I was captivated by its metaphors, imagination, creativity, vivid setting, and rich expressions. Naturally, I wondered; if the English version was this profound, how much more would the original Tiv version be?
When Culture Media Nigeria, a publishing and cultural heritage initiative committed to preserving Tiv language, literature, and history, obtained permission to reissue the Tiv version, I was privileged to typeset it. From the very first glance, I was blown away. It exceeded my expectations.
For example, where the English translation describes Shidoo Agena’s beauty as “The zenith of human magnificence,” the Tiv version beautifully renders it as: “Azenger a mluashe u or-umace.” At another instance where the English version reads “He was gripped with the fear of death,” the Tiv reads: “Mciem ma kuu wa un ihyamber-ikyer.” These are just two examples out of many.
The way Sen. Chia intricately wove Tiv history, culture, folklore, and his childhood experiences into clear, vivid prose is nothing short of spectacular.
Two years ago, precisely Saturday, March 17, 2023, I had the privilege of meeting Sen. Suemo Chia himself at his Old GRA residence in Makurdi. I and my dad, Tahav Agerzua, picked him up, and over an evening of palm wine and deep conversation, I shared my interest in his work. He graciously gave his blessings for what I intended to do with the book; a gesture I deeply cherish. He also gifted me complimentary copies of his works, which remain a treasure in my library.
I asked him about his motivation for the work, challenges, and inspirations. His response was captivating.
“We grew up hearing stories about the tin mines in Jos. During my HLC at Gindiri (Plateau State), I visited these sites, spoke to those who worked there, some conscripted. I wanted to document their experiences but also weave it into Tiv life, culture, and folklore. That’s why the tin mine story comes towards the end. It’s framed within our heritage, history, and stories we grew up hearing, like the crocodiles of Loko River or the Naakaa era.”
He also shared the origin of his name "Suemo" which according to him is rooted in the Naakaa era which was a colonial anti-witchcraft campaign where his father was tortured and accused of witchcraft, inspiring names like Ingyuran (for his elder brother) and Ityôsueamo (which he shortened to Suemo), meaning “my kinsmen have challenged me.”
He told me how the white men collected items linked to witchcraft during Naakaa, preserved them in the Jos museum (which later fell into neglect), and how even his father had crafted a fake mystical bird (Ingyuran) just to escape torture.
On the reception of his book, Sen. Chia noted that it gained prominence after Tyodzua Akosu’s 2001 translation and further reviews by my father, Tahav Agerzua, which drew readers to seek out the original Tiv version. Sadly, despite its impact, the book is yet to receive any formal award.
Meeting Sen. Chia was not only inspiring but also reaffirmed my conviction that Adan-Wade Kohol Ga is more than a book; it is a priceless archive of Tiv culture, history, and storytelling brilliance that should not be forgotten.
The Tiv version of Adan-Wade Kohol Ga is available at Culture Media Nigeria, No. 8 Atom Kpera Road, High Level, Makurdi.
