Kyernum Nyamibo PhD
Department of Christian Religious Studies,
College Of Education, Katsina Ala,
08158590009
nyamibokyernum@gmail.com
&
Moses Igba
Department of Christian Religious Studies,
College Of Education, Katsina Ala,
08033845232
anenge@gmail.com
Abstract
This paper seeks to appraise the relationship between traditional religious practices and agricultural activities among the Tiv of Benue state in Nigeria. specifically, the paper seeks to identify the role traditional religion plays in the success of these activities. The Survey research design was used due to the large population involved. The paper made use of the unstructured interview method for primary data collection. Secondary data were also used to appraise the religious implications of the agricultural activities for prosperity. The findings show that the agricultural activities in the study area include crops production, livestock, forestry, fishing and fishery for prosperity, wealth creation and development. The role of traditional religion in the prosperity of the people shines out clearly in the use of rituals(Akombo) to placate the various spiritual forces in order to achieve bountiful harvest. Recommendations are made for improvement to include the need for economic, cultural and religious reorientation to boost agricultural activities in the light of capitalist economy and modernity. The study concluded that it is the failure of alien religions to provide sufficient alternative methods and absence of scientific discoveries to disprove the functional roles of Akombo like Imborivungu, traditional medicine as the objects of prosperity, that the traditional religious rites and economic activities will continue to coexist in the study area. And that the mutually beneficial nature of these two aspects of Tiv Culture suggests that these practices are deeply entrenched in Tiv society and there are no signs of the symbiosis being discarded in the near future.
Key Words: African Religion, Agricultural activities, Akombo, Imborivungu.
