OSU CASTE SYSTEM: Dead or Alive?
Osu caste system is an ugly ancient African religious practice in Igbo land where some people are made to look inferior by severing any form of social interaction with people known as diala(real born) of the Igbo nation.
The Igbo people are an ethnic group native to the present-day south-central and south-eastern Nigeria. Geographically, the Igbo homeland is divided into two unequal sections by the Niger River – an eastern (which is the larger of the two) and a western section.The Igbo people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa---source
The Osu caste system came into existence in ancient times when human sacrifice were needed by deities for cleaning of the land from abomination and as such people were sold as slaves to the deities for sacrifice. After being sold as slave to the deity,they become Osu and their generation will also become Osu. People also become Osu when they refuse to obey the kings order or the laws of the land and this leads to them being banished from the community and their generation will join the caste of people called Osu.When someone marries an Osu whether male or female,they become an Osu and their offsprings too.
In the Igbo nation,OSUS were not allowed to hold the Ozo,Nze,Eze titles,that is they were not allowed to be traditional heads since it is believed that an Osu cannot rule a real born(diala). They are not allowed to marry real born but can only marry themselves. They were made to live in shrines and market places and are not allowed to have any form of interaction with the real born because it is believed that if they do,they would contaminate the real borns. According to Chinua Achebe,he reported in one of his books that OSUS were given different seats in church.
Today the Osu caste system has been criticized by many who feel the practise violets human rights. In 1950's,an eastern Nigerian law was set to abolish the inhumane practice such that anyone who discriminates against a person on the basis of Osu would be sued under this law. I consider the Osu caste system man's inhumanity to man because both the people considered as Osu and real borns fought during the Biafra war,so technically the so-called OSUS were fighting for the freedom of their oppressors(real borns).
However,western education,christianity and the Nigerian eastern law have succeeded in killing the Osu caste system because today those who would have been considered as Osu are now commissioners, local government heads,ministers,presidents. Research has shown that some families still trace the family of their children's suitor to see if they have any origin from the Osu. My question is why do they still check? This is because if no one still practises the cruelty associated with the Osu caste system,slavery and discrimination still exists in the hearts of some people. The annoying part is that families who reject marriage to the Osus are well travelled and educated.
Osu caste system may have been a norm or an ancient practise then, but now it's evil and barbaric. Just like no one choose to be white or black, born into a poor home or rich home,disadvantaged or advantaged by fate that is how no one choose to be an OSU. We are all human's first and discriminating one another because of an ancient practise is wickedness to me. I consider the Osu caste system to be more evil than racism because racism happens between different races, but Osu caste system happens within people of the same ethnic group,"IGBOS".
Discrimination is inhumane, it not only hurts,it causes division. So when next you feel like discriminating against a person because of their background,I think you should remember that we are all humans and we are created equal by God and then treat others humanely.
According to Fransis Onwubuariri, the idea behind the Osu caste system has led to discrimination,stigmization,division and has also impaired socio-economic,socio-cultural and socio-political growth of the Igbo nation.So if we must make progress as a nation,I suggest that we debunk the idea of division caused by the Osu caste system and embrace the idea of oneness and Unity because no matter how we look at it,we are all humans and there are no superior humans or inferior humans!
Thanks for reading!
REFRENCE!
Nice piece. I believe the answer to your question is in your write-up. Westernization, education and modernazition are almost eradicating this system. In addition, globalization and technology are providing avenue for the members of the osu caste to make a living unlike before when they are alienated and struggle for living. In fact, it is very difficult to know who is an osu, unless an individual dig deep. As for the educated still discriminating and stigmatizing, well, I can only state that Nigeria is a very superstitious and religious society. It will be very hard to just let some things go by. However, recent generation seems not to care about superstition thus weaking stigmatization.
Thanks for your awesome comment. It shows that you read the post and your comment added value to the post. Am impressed!
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Quite informative, I never knew we had an Ancient caste system in Nigeria.
Thanks dear! We do!
Interesting. And Christianity has helped in many countries and in some cultures for many years and that is good. Thanks for sharing, hehe. I'm Oatmeal Joey Arnold. You can call me Joey.
I am Queen Ukpabi. You can call me Queen...Nice to meet you...hehehe!
I really don't even like the idea of the Osu caste system.I feel it's just barbaric and should be stopped if we want national progress.
Great post @kweenbrand.
Wow. Thanks for your support!