THE USE OF TIV PROVERBS IN NKST SONGS AS MEANS OF EVANGELISM

ABSTRACT African proverbs, considered as the most ubiquitous genre of folklore, are instructional vehicles through which the cultural values in African societies are imparted to generations. This project was carried out to ascertain the fact that proverbs are tools for songs composers among the NKST Church originally entitled “The Use of Tiv Proverbs in NKST Songs as Means of Evangelism”. The aim of the study was to interrogate the overwhelming presence of Tiv Proverbs in NKST Songs, focusing on their semantic implications and how these proverbs aid evangelism in the church through songs. The specific objectives of the study were to ascertain the semantic implication of Tiv proverbs in NKST Songs; to provide a framework for the study of Tiv proverbs in details and to determine whether the use of Tiv proverbs in NKST Songs is deliberate or accidental. The method used for data collection is the participant-observation method. This method enables the researcher to obtain complete information in the appropriate context. The data was collected from three approved publication of NKST songs: “Vue Atsam u NKST, Amaafu, 2020” and “Atsam a NKST, 1926 – 2019” and translated in English language for analysis. The theoretical framework selected for this work is The Use Theory of Meaning. The findings revealed that the Tiv sociocultural and general worldview is reflected in their proverbs. Proverbs explain the culture of the Tiv people, and using such practical imagery in composing songs which are used as means of evangelism in the NKST church help bring home the messages encapsulated in the songs to limelight. It is recommended that members of the Tiv speaking population of the nation to engage in scholarly research as many aspects of the Tiv culture are lying untouched in the songs of the church.