Makurdi, the state capital was established in the early twenties and gained prominence in 1927 when it became the headquarters of the then Benue Province. Being a river port, it attracted the establishment of trading depots by companies such as UAC and John Holt Limited. Its commercial status was further enhanced when the Railway Bridge…

Benue State Benue is a state in Nigeria. Its name is from the major river in the state: River Benue. The state is one the six states that make up Nigeria’s North-Central geopolitical zone along with the Federal Capital Territory. It is located in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria and shares an international boundary…

Tiv people have a rich cultural heritage which finds expression in colourful cloths, exotic masquerades, supplicated music and dances. The Tiv kwagh-hir theatre provides memorable entertainment in its dramatization of Tiv folklore and social commentary. The first organized state-wide kwagh-hir competition festival dates back as far as December 1981 and was initiated by the then…

Benue State possesses a rich and diverse cultural heritage which finds expression in colourful cloths, exotic masquerades, supplicated music and dances. Traditional dances from Benue State have won acclamations at national and international cultural festivals. These dances include Ingyough, Ange, Anchanakupa and Swange among the Tiv, and Anuwowowo and Odabaru among the Idoma. The Tiv…

Tsav-utu Dance There is a belief among the Tiv of the existence of a spirit world inhabited by the dead that carry out normal activities just as in the real world. The term Tsav-utu connotes night witchcraft practices. The dance is made up of dance steps from various dances and body movements. Props used in…

Odabaru dance has its origin as far back as 1940s by Onwe Egba of Agila District in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. This dance is popularly known for entertainment at social functions, festivals and burial ceremonies. The dance is energetic and comprises of musicians and dancers. The musicians are males whilst dancers…

Adiya is a social dance performed by maidens from Oju Local Government Area of Benue State. The initial concept of the dance, led by Michael Isegbe, was to lure babies to sleep. The dance however, as performed by the Benue State Council Troup has become a household name all over Igede land. The dance has…

Ten first class chiefs covering Tiv, Idoma and Igede traditional council areas were in 2018 coronated and presented with staff of office by the then governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom. This coronation was enabled by the instruments of “A law to make provisions for the establishment of Benue Council of chiefs and traditional councils…

Ten first class chiefs covering Tiv, Idoma and Igede traditional council areas were in 2018 coronated and presented with staff of office by the then governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom. This coronation was enabled by the instruments of “A law to make provisions for the establishment of Benue Council of chiefs and traditional councils…

The Benue State Government accords high respect to traditional rulers in recognition of their role as custodians of culture and as agents of development.  Also, their roles in peace and order at the grassroots level are recognized.  In order to enhance their contribution to the affairs of the state, government has established a three-tier traditional…