THE THEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION OF THE BOOK OF EXODUS AS NARRATIVES CONCERNING ORIGIN AND MIGRATION AS AN ONGOING NEGOTIATION OF IDENTITY BY THE TIV PEOPLE OF NIGERIA

In his search for the components or aspects of dialogue with the Bible particularly in Africa, West (2008:48) mentions five comparative approaches of Ukpong (2000:17-18). Using the third approach, which deals with the interpretation of biblical texts against the background of African cultures, religions and life experiences aimed at new understanding of the biblical text that would be informed by the African context and circumstance, this article argues that the Tiv people of Nigeria read and interpret Exodus as an ongoing identity negotiation and not merely as a historical, literary, liberating, postcolonial and feminist text as it has been read and interpreted over centuries by different exegetes. The article describes the narratives of origin and migration of the Tiv and establishes their relevance and/or impact on the theological apparition and interpretation of Exodus traditions amongst the Tiv as an ongoing progression of identity formation. doi: 10.7833/108-1-8