Osu caste system

The Osu caste system is an ancient practice in Southeastern Nigeria that discourages social interaction and marriage with a group of persons called Osu (Igbo: outcast).[1][2] Osus are dedicated to the deities (Alusi) of Igboland; they are considered as inferior beings and are usually separated from the Nwadiala or diala (Igbo: real born).[3]

Origin

Oral history has it that an osu was a respected monk devoted to the service and worship of a deity.[4] The origin of the osu caste system can be traced back to the era when deities were believed to ask for human sacrifice during festivals in order to clean the land from abomination thus leading to the purchase of a slave by the people.[5] The osu caste system also has its origin traced to the Nri Kingdom. It is believed that the Nris possessed a hereditary power and thus do go about cleansing various kingdoms of abomination; any community that refuses to be cleansed are called osus. Another view on the history of the osu caste system centres on ostracization. This occurs when a person or group of persons who refuses the orders of a king or the decision of a community are banished from the community thus resulting to the victim and its generation being called osus.[6]

Discrimination

The osus are treated as inferior persons to the class of the Ndiala people. The osus are made to live in shrines or marketplaces and are not allowed to have any relationship with the real born. In Chinua Achebe's No Longer At Ease, he said osus are given separate seats in churches.[7] The osus who are also seen as unclean are not allowed to break kola or make prayers on behalf of the real born because it is believed that they will bring calamity upon the society.[8] This form of maltreatment and punishments have made the osus to flee to other countries for survival.[9]

Criticism

Since the acceptance of Christianity and the introduction of modernization in Igbo land, the osu caste system has been criticized by people who feel it is against human rights to freedom from discrimination.[10] According to some human rights groups who are calling for its abolishment, some of the punishements meted out against the osu in Igboland include: parents administering poison to their children, disinheritance, ostracism, denial of membership in social clubs, violent disruption of marriage ceremonies, denial of chieftaincy titles, deprivation of property and expulsion of wives.[11]

On 20 March 1956, Igbo legislators in the Eastern House of Assembly, Enugu abrogated the then common practice of referring people to as osus. The fines imposed have discouraged the public expression of the word osu.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Ugoji Egbujo (13 March 2015). "The Osu caste system: The shame of a Nation". Vanguard. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  2. ↑ Andew Walker (7 April 2009). "The story of Nigeria's 'untouchables'". BBC News. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  3. ↑ David Aduge-Ani, Stanley Uzoaru & Okechukwu Obeta (31 October 2014). "Osu Caste System: How It Affects Marriages In The S/East". Leadership Nigeria. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  4. ↑ "THE EVIL OF THE OUTCAST SYSTEM". The Lawyers' Chronicle. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  5. ↑ Amadife, ‘The Culture That Must Die’ Sunday Times, March 23, 1988.
  6. ↑ Ezekwugo, C.M (1987). Ora-Eri Nnokwa and Nri Dynasty. Enugu: Lengon Printers.
  7. ↑ Tony Uchenna (9 October 2010). "Osu caste in Igboland". Vanguard. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  8. ↑ Emeka Asinugo (27 August 2014). "The Church and the fight against Osu Caste System in Eastern Nigeria". Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 27 July 2015. line feed character in |title= at position 25 (help)
  9. ↑ "The Osu Caste System In Igboland: A Challenge To The Igbo Christian Intellectual". Imo Trumpet. 23 April 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  10. ↑ "Appraising the Osu Caste System in Igbo Land" (PDF). Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  11. ↑ 1 NWLR. Psychology Press. 2002. p. 426. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  12. ↑ John, Obineche A. "INFLUENCE OF CHRISTIANITY TOWARDS THE ERADICATION OF THE OSU CASTE SYSTEM IN IGBO LAND: A HISTORICAL APPRAISAL.". Reiko Journals.

Further reading

  • S.S.N, Igwe (1991). Social Ethical Issues in Nigeria. Pacific Publishers. 
  • Okod, I. (2007). ‘The Peoples and Cultures of Nigeria’ in N Ojiakor (ed), Salient Issues in Nigerian History, Culture, and Social Political Development. Enugu: Emmy-Angel Publishers. 
  • Uba, Patricia C. (2005). Effects of the Osu Caste System on Nigerian People's Lives. Pacific Oaks College. 
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