A Tiv spiritual being exists in two layers: the spiritual being and the physical being. These two layers work together as one complete being.
Explore the six aspects interactively →
The spiritual being
This is the higher, non-physical aspect of the Tiv person. It carries our higher consciousness, purpose and spiritual life.
- Jijingi u Tamen (Higher Self): our highest consciousness, spirit essence and connection to Aôndo and the wider spiritual realm.
- Uma u Ken shima (The life of the mind): the spiritual life of thought, understanding, intuition and inner knowing.
- Uma u Ken iyol (The life of the body): the spiritual life-force that gives vitality, movement and life to the physical body.
The physical being
This is the material aspect of the Tiv person. It is the visible, earthly form we live in and interact with in the physical world.
- Jijingi (Spirit): the life essence within the body that gives life, movement and vitality in the physical realm.
- Shima (Mind): the seat of thought, reasoning, memory and decision-making in the physical being.
- Iyol (Body): the physical form, made of flesh, bones and blood, through which we act, work and experience life.
New to these words? See the Tiv glossary.