Osu In Igbo Land, 592. Osus are devoted to the Igboland deities calle
Osu In Igbo Land, 592. Osus are devoted to the Igboland deities called Alusi; they are typically separated from the Nwadiala or diala since they are viewed as lesser beings to the Igbo real born. The caste system, which categorizes people into different social classes, has been a longstanding tradition in Igboland, with the Osu being the most marginalized group. it is a practice whereby some people whose older generations were consecrated to one deity or the other are considered as outcasts and segregated against. t. Njoku, Taming Osu Caste System in Igbo land, The Guardian, 20 January 2019. With an ethnic population of about 30 million Igbos in Nigeria, this suggests that between 1. [1][2] The Osu individuals historically were marginalized by the Igbo deities (Alusi), and as a result, they are often perceived as inferior and Introduction The Osu caste system in Igboland has been a deeply entrenched traditional belief that divides communities and fosters discrimination, segregation, and violence. It separates people into two main groups: the Osu, who are seen as outcasts, and the freeborn, known as Nwadiala or Diala. In 2018, the Eze Nri of Nri ancient kingdom abolished the Osu Cast system in Igbo land and beyond. A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE OSU CASTE SYSTEM IN IGBO LAND, NIGERIAS CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1. Ugo Nwokeji is an Igbo cultural historian who studied slavery in the Igbo region. PDF | Osu is a caste system of alienation and discrimination of a certain class or group of people considered to be outcast in Igboland. The Nwadiala and the Osu are the two traditional classes of people in Igboland. The Osu (Cult-Slave) System in Igbo Land THE OSU (CULT-SLAVE) SYSTEM IN IGBO LAND BY S. Cultural taboos called ‘Nso’ are enshrined in the law of the land ‘Iwu Odi Na ala’. This blog entry examines the Igbo Tribe's Osu Caste System, its history, influence, and current viewpoints on this contentious cultural practice. It is believed that the early missionaries did not do much to eradicate this seeming apartheid in Igbo land. Some people in Igboland might even vote against any politician who condemns, or suggests the jettisoning of this Osu caste system. Hence the paper is aimed at exposing the ethical as well as the religious implications of Osu caste system in Igboland. Osu individuals, considered sub-human, experience systemic ostracism and lack basic civil rights under Igbo cultural norms. The document discusses the discriminatory Osu caste system practiced in Igboland, Nigeria. Igwebuike Romeo Okeke in The Osu Concept in Igboland (1986), classifies the Osu into four groups: the voluntary type, the Osu dedicated by others, the Osu by inheritance and the Osu by infection. Despite the fact that the church, government, schools and mass media are making drastic efforts in order to eradicate the practice of osu caste system in Igbo culture, it still persists. This classification has… In 2017, The Enugu state government illegalised the Osu Cast Sytem. By this, the unfortunate victims become automatically untouchables, outcasts and sub-human and, therefore, deemed inferior to the normal freeborn. How prevalent is Osu and where is it practised? G. The osu system could not be easily removed in Igbo land because of the attitudes of the Igbos toward their traditional religion, norms and traditions. c in the places where they are practiced. Introduction This paper treats an insidious issue that has caused persistent howling in the Igbo nation, the so-dubbed Osu caste system. The Nwadiala is an abbreviation for “sons of the earth,” because they are the masters. This concept of slavery as an institution in Igbo land is called Ohu, as distinct from Ume or Osu caste system” one can say without exaggeration An Osu cannot marry a freeborn. Using the analytic and In some other communities, the osu or slave is regarded as a worthless human being. The methodology adopted in this work is historic-descriptive which means that the osu/ohu (slavery) practice in Igbo culture was carefully studied and analysed based on its discriminating indices and dehumanizing consequences. Although discrimination and slavery of any kind among the Igbo people was abolished in 1956, the Osu practice still persists. And some Igbo community would not elect a politician from the Osu group to represent them, even if such a person is a better candidate than the Diala. Osu gained protection from divinities, which protected them from slavery during… After the start of the French colonial rule which dislodged the nobles from their powers over war and taxation, the Tuaregs belonging to the noble strata disdained tending cattle and tilling the land, seeking instead warrior or intellectual work. Furthermore, Igwebuike quoting Rev. The study explores the historical and cultural background of this system and reveals its An Osu cannot marry a freeborn. Oct 15, 2025 · The Diala–Osu distinction is among the oldest and most enduring social classifications in Igbo history. The institution pre-dated the missionary activities of Christianity and the advent of European slave trade. . It categorizes individuals into two broad groups:… 30 Dec 2024 Cultural Heritage Historical Studies Their descendants are also restricted from holding specific influential positions in the Igbo village power structure, such as the Okpara (the oldest man in the village) and the Onyishi. Outgoing Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Owerri, His Grace, Most Rev. PDF | p>The Osu debacle is such a loathsome system that has survived the assaults of modernity and religion. 5 and 3 million Igbos suffer from An Osu is a person dedicated to the gods of Igbo land, either as sacrificial objects or action by the victim in the face of life-threatening circumstances. In some other communities, the osu or slave is regarded as a worthless human being. 1 Background of the study Every period and people throughout human history have had their own troubles, whether natural (earthquakes, floods, etc. This is despite effort by groups, including churches. It is because of this that there are tons of investigations in Igbo land when marriages are announced. The osu caste system is peculiar to the Igbos of the South-Eastern Nigeria. Obinna said this while addressing newsmen in Owerri as part of activities marking St Patrick’s Day celebration. In this post, we will explore the sacred and social roles of the Osu in Igbo culture, how they came to be regarded as outcasts, and the implications of this practice in contemporary Igbo society. The Igbo since time immemorial have been divided majorly along lines of caste with the Diala perceived to be the superior and the Osu the inferior. ONE social evil that is still being practiced in Igbo land is the Osu Caste system. Jul 14, 2025 · The Osu caste system is a traditional form of social division practiced by the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. How does the system affect global perception on Igbo culture and her civilization? The Osu Caste Discrimination in Igboland: Impact on Igbo Culture and Civilization, which is sequel to The Osu Caste System in Igboland: A Challenge for Nigerian Democracy, describes the pain, grief and agony of those groaning under the Osu caste system in Igboland. original sound - ajajwikwb. Therefore, this paper discusses the Osu caste system, an indigenous religious belief system, practiced within the Igbo nation, with the purpose of bringing the discriminatory, dehumanizing and obnoxious Osu caste system to the attention of the international community. Their descendants are also restricted from holding specific influential positions in the Igbo village power structure, such as the Okpara (the oldest man in the village) and the Onyishi. In Igboland, the Osu caste system is a form of discriminatory practise where the Igbo society is divided into the Diala and Osu. Downloadable! This paper examines the caste system in Igboland, particularly in the Uratta community and its contemporary implications. This behavior is more pronounced at the local (village) level. The Osu caste system is an ancient practice in Igboland that discourages social interaction and marriage with a group of persons called Osu Osu Caste System In Igboland - Culture - Nairaland Nairaland Forum › Nairaland / General › Culture › Osu Caste System In Igboland (787 Views) 119 Villages Abolish Osu Caste System Practice In Nsukka • Igwe Kenneth Orizu: Why I Abolished Osu Caste System • Igbo Monarchs Set To End The Osu Caste System Come December 28 • 2 • 3 • 4 The Osu caste system was a traditional practice in Igboland, characterized by social segregation and restrictions on interaction and marriage with a group of individuals known as Osu (Igbo: outcast). The discrimination embedded in the stigmatising Osu caste system is mostly pervasive and extends, unfortunately, to wherever the Igbo travel to and settle for their enterprises. Today, we're going to explore the three main origins of the Osu and Ohu castes, and their meaning. Social stratification, discrimination, prejudice, and injustice exist in every society, though they may differ from one to the next. Even though society seems to be erasing so many traditional values, the IGBO people have unique cultures that must not be mocked. In Igboland, the Osu caste system is a form of discriminatory practise where the Igbo | Find, read and cite all the research The osu system could not be easily removed in Igbo land because of the attitudes of the Igbos toward their traditional religion, norms and traditions. Daily Trust on Sunday writes. It may The osu system could not be easily removed in Igbo land because of the attitudes of the Igbos toward their traditional religion, norms and traditions. The Osu is an The Osu caste system in some part of Eastern Nigeria promotes the ideology of supremacy of the Diala (freeborn) over those designated as Osu. 1. Anthony Obinna, said that the Church has completely abolished the Osu caste system in Igbo land. Certain topics are frowned upon throughout the whole IGBO continent. (1985), The World's Religions Leicester, InterVarsity Press. It categorizes individuals into two broad groups: the Osu, considered outcasts or slaves dedicated to deities, and the Diala, the freeborn who are regarded as superior members of society. William (2002). The problem is that this divide comes with human rights restrictions and violations on the part of the Osu which go unreported and unaddressed at both national and international discourses. While the Diala represented the “sons and daughters of the land,” the Osu were individuals or families once consecrated to deities and thus set apart from common social interaction. PDF | Discrimination and caste systems are rife in every society. The Osu/Diala Divide: Understanding the Caste Conflict in Igboland Introduction The Osu caste system in Igboland has been a deeply entrenched traditional belief that divides communities and fosters discrimination, segregation, and violence. It originated from the traditional Igbo religious beliefs that certain people could be sacrificed to gods and become "Osu", considered sub-human. The robust advocacy of this work is the need to sincerely abolish slavery in its shades and grades in Igbo land and beyond. The Osu are derogatorily designated as people sacrificed or dedicated to the gods or goddesses in igboland. 35 Likes, TikTok video from Jas (@jartyyyyy): “”. EZEANYA Department of Religion, University of Nigeria, Nsukka ng human beings to the tutelary spirits. In the same year, 24 Traditional rulers in Imo State to sign and abolished the discriminatory Osu Cast system. The Osu Caste System was officially abolished on 28 December 2018 during a ceremony held in Nri, the acclaimed ancestral home of the Igbo nation, in Anaocha local government area of Anambra State. In parts of Igbo land, the osu caste system is a tradition that discourages social interaction and marriage with a certain group of persons whose forefathers are said to have been dedicated to deities, otherwise known as alusi in local parlance. PDF | In some parts of Igboland, people are segregated by the many social discriminatory practices prevalent therein. Sep 2, 2024 · This article explores the untold story and history of the Osu caste system, an ancient tradition among the Igbo tribe in eastern Nigeria that discriminates the Osu (deity slaves) from the Nwadiala (free-borns). This, though not a universa Mythology has always been a part of Igbo life, and the Osu and Ohu castes are no exception. Although a fair proportion of the Igbo race | Find, read and cite all the research Although discrimination and slavery of any kind among the Igbo people was abolished in 1956, the Osu practice still persists. 5d · Echoes from the 4th Enugu Diocesan Synod: THE PROBLEM OF OSU AND OHU IN IGBO LAND: Uniting God’s Igbo Children Mmeso Jane and 10 others Catholic Diocese of Enugu 5d The Osu caste system is a long-standing custom in Igboland that forbids social interaction with and marriage to a class of people known as Osu (Igbo outcasts). Anderson ed. Slavery and Osu Caste System As an institution, slavery was real and existed in primordial Igbo society for social and religious reasons. Osu gained protection from divinities, which protected them from slavery during… Abstract Osu is a caste system of alienation and discrimination of a certain class or group of people considered to be outcast in Igboland. May 11, 2025 · Explore the history and significance of the Osu in Igbo society, debunking misconceptions and shedding light on their spiritual role. Being Osu is inherited and they face discrimination in marriage, movement, and social status. The Osu caste system in Igboland, affecting approximately 27 million Igbos, perpetuates severe social discrimination. ) or man-made. The Voyage of Discovery: A Historical Introduction of Philosophy, Wadworth-Thomson Learning, Belmont, p. The Osu system, while long seen as a form of social segregation, has deep spiritual and historical roots within the Igbo community. The system has no legal protection for victims and divided Download Complete Project / Seminar Research Material On - A Critical Assessment Of The Osu Caste System In Igbo Land, Nigeria Enugu’s openness, he said, “could inspire similar action across Igbo land,” especially as caste-related disputes continue to surface in chieftaincy, marriage and land matters. Arazu in his book the Osu concept in Igbo land sees the Osu as “a living sacrifice, something or some one totally dedicated to divinity, only natural dead can terminate its existence on this side of reality” (1986,11). 4 days ago · In this piece, Naijabiography will be exploring the origin of Osu caste and the cultural practice in the advent of civilization. Among these obnoxious, outrageous and devastating traditions and belief in Igbo land is the ‘OSU CASTE SYSTEM’ which has in different places both in the past and present become an atom of disunity, humiliation, infringements, isolations e. L. Igboland is a homogeneous entity that inhabits the eastern part of Nigeria in the West African sub-region. The Osu cultural practice is one | Find, read and cite all the research you In different Igbo societies, Osu are seen as outcasts or are part of a caste system. Nairaland Forum › Nairaland General › Culture › Lets Talk About Osu In Igboland? (34592 Views) Daybreak In Udi: An Exposé Of British Colonization Schemes In Igboland • 'osu' In Igboland • The True Extent Of Alaigbo (Igboland) • 2 • 3 • 4 He estimated that the Osu represented 5%-10% of the Igbo population. In different Igbo societies, Osu are seen as outcasts or are part of a caste system. It has made people known as Osu discriminated against, especially in terms of who they can marry and can not, and even restricted from taking certain political posts. This paper therefore seeks to examine the Osu caste system in Igboland within the moral and religious prisms. N. It is arguably the third most populated tribe in Nigeria, with about thirty per cent of its population in the diaspora. pwz2, l90i, icpni1, qw8q, irj3z, 1k8u9, 5iv7x, 7q8e, jinw8, zc0b,