Final answer:
The Tiv believe that a chief should have more than one wife to consolidate and maintain clan property, power, and to enhance the likelihood of having many children to continue the family lineage.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the Tiv community, as in many polygynous societies, there are social, economic, and cultural reasons for the practice of a chief having more than one wife. Polygyny is often seen as a way of consolidating wealth and power within a family or clan. In traditional societies, having multiple wives can be linked to the status and wealth of a man, and a chief, as a leading figure, is expected to exhibit the attributes associated with power and success.
Among the Tiv, a chief having multiple wives helps to keep clan property intact and maximize power. It was believed that this arrangement would prevent the splitting of property through divorce or remarriage of widows as women would take their dowry, children, and some of the husband's property with them. Such practices were aimed at maintaining harmony and a clear hierarchy within the extended family system.
Furthermore, procreation is highly valued, with sons being expected to continue the line. In these contexts, multiple wives increase the likelihood of having more children. The idea of polygyny is not only a personal choice but is tied to broader societal values and expectations.