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Jefferson Nnadiekwe Freelance scriptwriter and creative photographer
city Lagos, Nigeria
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In History and Culture • 2 min read • Oct 25, 2022 10:17a.m.
THE OSU CASTE SYSTEM
You might have heard of the Osu caste system in Igbo land. In case you haven't, this is a system of ostracization of certain people who have been judged to have committed an abominable act. It discourages social interaction, and even marriage with these people. So how does a person become an Osu? As stated earlier, these people have been judged and found guilty to have committed a terrible offence. In the past, the Igbo people lived their lives according to the Odinani (the laws of the earth). These laws were created by the earth goddess Ala, for the people to live by. Anyone who commits an atrocity against these laws, risks ostracization; thereby becoming an Osu. An Osu could be sold to slavery, or become properties of deities. Either way, social interaction is severed with these people. They are seen as inferior humans, unworthy to associate with the Nwadiala. They are seen as unclean and are even not allowed to break kola; which as you may know is very important in the Igbo culture. They are also made to live in shrines and market places, away from others. And should they bear children, those children automatically become Osu. It can become a generational thing. Modern times, have brought with it the criticism of this system. It has been considered as a violation of human rights, with some of the punishment associated with it labelled as inhumane. Human rights groups were known to have been really vocal about it, calling for its abolishment. According to history, the osu caste system has been abolished. This was on the 28th of December 2018, in a ceremony conducted in Nri. However, the question here is - how effective has this abolishment been? Till this day, families are hesitant to let their children marry a person who was born into a family identified as osu. Some outrightly forbid such union, believing it is a marriage which would be plagued with series of unfortunate events. It is one of the several 'findings' done by most families, during the introduction phase of a proposed marriage. Isn't it strange that even with the advent of Christianity and evolution, there are certain people who are still rooted in ancient practices? It goes to show that, tradition still has some sort of hold on us, even if we choose not to admit it.
THE OSU CASTE SYSTEM
By Jefferson Nnadiekwe
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