ECOLOGICAL PRESERVATION IN TIV TRADITIONAL RELIGION

This study examines the role of Tiv Traditional Religion in Ecological Preservation. The phenomenological method was used to carry out the study. Data for the study was obtained from primary and secondary sources. The primary sources include information obtained through participant observation of religious rites, visits to religious and ecological sites and oral interviews. The oral interviews were administered to respondents through a purposive sampling and not based on any statistical evaluation of the sampled size. The secondary sources include information from books, newspapers, magazines and journal articles. The descriptive analytical approach was used in the analysis of data. The study shows that Tiv Traditional Religion employed akombo (mysterious cosmic and spiritual forces), tsav (inherent mysterious power, excellence and witchcraft), and various religious atindi (taboos) or tswer (prohibitions) as methods of ensuring ecological preservation. People dreaded the mysterious calamities associated with the violation of traditional religious taboos like misfortune and ill-health, leading to the preservation of the ecosystem. The study brings to light the contemporary relevance of Traditional Religious ecological preservation.