Ichongo
Ancestral figure and founder of a main Tiv lineage division.
According to Tiv oral tradition from central Nigeria, Ichongo is a founding ancestor. He is one of the two sons of the patriarch Tiv, alongside Ipusu. Ichongo is recognized as the forefather of one of the two primary branches within the Tiv genealogical structure.
Quick Facts
- People
- Tiv people
- Region
- central Nigeria
- Father
- Tiv
- Sibling
- Ipusu
Facts from the source article.
Oral history
In one version of the Tiv genealogy, Takuruku married Aliwe and had two sons, Tiv and Uke. Tiv left his parents and lived with his wife Ayaaya, who bore Ipusu and Ichongo. Their descendants became the two main divisions of the Tiv genealogy, referred to as Ipusu-akem and Ichongo-akem. The name Ichongo is linked to circumcision in some accounts, while another version connects it to a fox and trickery, as Tiv killed foxes during Ayaaya's pregnancy.
Descendants and lineages
The composition of Ichongo's descendants varies. According to Ndera, the six main divisions of the Ichongo lineage are Iharev, Ikurav, Masev, Nongov, Turan and Ugondo. Akiga Sai's version lists sons including Ihar, Gondo, Nongo, Ikura, Ikôrakpe, Mase, Tongo, Ityul and Iwan, linked to groups such as Iharev, Ugondo, Nongov, Ikurav, Turan, Masev, Tongov, Ityuluv and Iwanev. Tongov appears in both Ichongo's and Ipusu's lineages in some traditions. Lanshima provides smaller groups under the main divisions: for example, Iharev includes Mbagwen, Nyiev, Mbawa, Raav, Mbakpa, Mbabai, Mbasaan and Mbadwem; Nongov includes Kaambe, Segher and Nzorov; Masev includes Njiriv, Ingohol and Yonov; Ikurav includes Ikurav-Ya and Ikurav-Tiev.
Role in Tiv social organisation
Tiv society traditionally used genealogical divisions as the basis of segmentary lineage organisation, based on patrilineal descent. Laura Bohannan described genealogy as a charter for understanding present-day Tiv society. Different genealogical variations correspond to different aspects of social organisation, endogamy and marriage practices. The divisions also align with migration and settlement patterns: for instance, Tongov, Ikurav, Nongov and Turan migrated toward the Barakuv, Wo-Mondo and Ityough-Ikegh Hills, while Masev, Iharev and Ugondo moved toward the plains of Ibinda. Archaeological research shows that the distribution of Tiv groups does not always match genealogical divisions, as groups from different lineages can occupy the same area.
Variations in the genealogy
Among the Tiv people, stories about their origins differ. Some say Tiv is the father of all Tiv, while others trace his line through Takuruku, Anyamazenga, Karagbe, Shon, Gbe, Akem, and Awange. According to Torkula, Ichongo was Tiv’s elder son and ancestor of Gondo, Ikyura, Nongo, Ihar, Mase, and Turan; Ipusu was ancestor of Shitire, Kum, and Kpar. Akiga Sai’s account lists Ichongo’s sons—including Ihar, Gondo, Nongo, Ikura, Ikôrakpe, Mase, Tongo, Ityul, and Iwan—who are also called Tiv. The Tiv maintain multiple traditions, not one fixed history.
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