The tiv ethnic group of benue state in Nigeria middle belt took the ancient leisure activity a notch higher when they decided, centuries ago that their stories would be better told duly dramatized. Meanwhile story telling is a popular pastime among Africans. In many societies, especially rural areas, people gather around fires at night or sit under moonlight to share folktales and life experience. Rival tiv clans, while seeking for creative ways to engage themselves during the dry season when all farm work had been done, established competitive mini festivals. As a regular features at these festivals various clans would battle to outwit each other in presenting the most creative dramatization of folktales or recent experiences.
The birth of the now internationally famous Kwagh hir a rich combination of puppet theater acrobatic song dance poetry storytelling and masquerades displays. To this day riva troupes from different parts of tivland meet regularly to compete with the hope of being crowned the troupe with the most impressive ensemble.
Kwagh hir is characteristically highly energetic. Tivs, renowned as a warriors in earlier times and hardworking farmers to this day, would not have had it otherwise it's dance routine are fast paced highly tasking, and border on gymnastics.
Dance, clad in traditional black and white tiv attire are supported on stage by singers, local musicians, puppeteers, and large masquerades, all moving in near perfect harmony to melodious songs with lyrics composed from a myriad of themes. For the non tiv viewer, Kwagh hir is only half the fun since stories and song lyrics which give clarity to the seemingly bizarre stage actions are composed mainly in the local dialect. Even without understanding, the Kwagh hir displays are still awe-inspiring and thought-provoking.
Once just a local tradition in small communities, Kwagh hir now attracts spectators from far and wide. Part of the attraction to the display is the incorporation of social issues in composing story lines or song lyrics. It is not uncommon to find issues of common concern satirized during Kwagh hir performances. Masquerade designers are also able to craft caricature of certain personalities around which stories revolve.
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These are my collector the Kwagh hir cultural traits I remain your number one steemian I am juli1. I love you all and do have a wonderful week ahead. Don't forget to follow, upvote and resteem.
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@juli1 i really like the Tiv rich cultural heritage especially their dance and the black and white stripes attire
Seems you are from the tiv