ABSTRACT
Tiv kinship terminology is simple, sparse, and, in reference to linguistic features, largely descriptive. Kinship terms are seldom used in address; indeed, wherever personal names are known they are used, even between child and parent. The terminology being sparse, each term refers to a wide variety and range of kin; precise genealogical description cannot be undertaken by kinship terminology; Tiv, when such precision is necessary, always resort to names, e.g., so-and-so begot five children who were called . . .
