By Tahav Agerzua
When I was growing up, one of the most popular books, apart from the Holy Bible, was Tarhômun u Botwev, which could be translated as Botwev’s Humor World.
This is an amazing book that centers on the acts of the major character, Botwev.
While reading, it is difficult to determine whether Botwev is wise, foolish, humorous or even insane. Maybe he was all these rolled into one.
The Tiv book comprises episodes or encounters with the major character.
Most of the times he took words at their literal meanings with disastrous consequences.
The picture on the cover is that of an illustration of Botwev squatting and watching a football burn on the fire he made.
He was passing by when he saw an ongoing football match and asked whether there were any scores. The reply was that there was none yet.
In those days to score was rendered as to burn in Tiv. Botwev made a bonfire off the field and when the ball went out of play he quickly grabbed it and threw into the fire boasting that he had done what 22 young men couldn’t.
One day he took three bags of beniseed to sell to a buying agent who usually weighed it on a scale before payment.
Botwev requested to be allowed to weigh himself and the agent who reckoned that he couldn’t handle the scale well obliged.
The farmer put the largest bag on the scale and mentioned a small amount which the agent quickly paid. When it was the turn of the smallest, Botwev said it weighed forty pounds. The buying agent objected and Botwev took him to court and won.
Written by James Terrumun Humbe, 7th March, 1942 to 5th October, 2007, the 1968 graduate of Administration from the Ahmadu Bello University, hails from Nanev, Kwande local government area of Benue State.
He also wrote the Dictator and Other Stories and Dwem Hingir Ivo.
Humbe held several positions in the civil service of Benue Plateau and later Benue State before retirement as Permanent Secretary.
The major character, Botwev Ndur, hails from Mbajoho, Mbaaka council ward of Ushongo local government area.
He is maternal grandfather of Dr Paul Botwev Orhii, former NAFDAC Director General.
His 80-year old son, Tavaku Botwev, stated that his father died on 27th April, 1959.
