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Tiv Kuraiyol, Body Protectors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 January 2012

Harold M. Bergsma
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Extract

This paper is concerned with a description of the religious beliefs of the Tiv with regard to kuraiyol. Kuraiyol, literally translated, means ‘body protectors’. The belief in kuraiyol is closely related to the major religious belief system termed akombo a soron, or propitiation of fetishes. A good deal has been written about akombo by students of the Tiv but very little has been written about kuraiyol. It is difficult to determine when kuraiyol became an important aspect of Tiv religious practices. Dr. Paul Bohannan has recently mentioned in written correspondence to this writer that as early as 1949 kuraiyol had ‘gained a tremendous popularity’. From personal observation during the period from 1955 to 1967 an increasing emphasis appeared to be placed on kuraiyol, especially during periods of war and violence which so greatly affected Tivland. Many Tiv believed kuraiyol to be effective charms against evil forces, including the mbatsav (night witches), the adzov (wood spirits, goblins), and other malevolent spirits. In addition, kuraiyol was believed to impart to the owner certain magical powers which enhanced the wearer's ability to fight, make love, gain material possessions, and the like.

Résumé

LES KURAIYOL TIV, PROTECTEURS DU CORPS

Cet article décrit les croyances Tiv relatives aux kuraiyol ou ‘protecteurs du corps’, aspect important de leur système principal de croyances religieuses. On pense que de nombreux kuraiyol sont parvenus en pays Tiv, venant de leurs voisins Jukun et Hausa. Ils sont devenus de plus en plus populaires ces dernières années, pendant les émeutes Tiv de 1965 et la guerre civile de 1967, alors que l'auteur a pu en réunir plusieurs exemplaires.

Les kuraiyol n'ont pas besoin d'être rendus propices ou d'être utilisés d'une façon déterminée. Ils s'acquièrent d'un individu à un autre et sont possédés personnels et gardés secrets. Leur usage est spécifiquement en relation avec la croyance Tiv à des sorciers nocturnes (mbatsav) et ils sont souvent utilisés au combat. Les kuraiyol prennent la forme de figures ou d'amulettes ou de sacs en peau contenant divers objets; ils sont portés sur le corps ou placés à l'endroit où leur pouvoir doit être le plus effectif. On note des exemples de magie imitative puisque le port d'un kuraiyol rend une personne capable d'acquérir des traits qui sont en rapport étroit avec la substance dont est fait le kuraiyol en question. Beaucoup d'exemples différents sont décrits ainsi que le genre de protection qu'ils assurent.

Type
Research Article
Information
Africa , Volume 43 , Issue 2 , April 1973 , pp. 147 - 152
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 1973

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References

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