The Osu Caste System has been an issue over the years in the mostly Igbo region of Nigeria. A lot of arguments has been made as to whether it should be dropped or abolished or even upheld.
WHAT IS OUTCAST: This simply means a person who has been rejected or ostracised by their society or social group.
What is the Osu Caste System?
The Osu Caste system is an ancient practice in Igboland that discourages social interaction and marriage with a group or persons called OSU.
The Osu’s are respected monks devoted to the service and worship of a deity. It can be traced back to the olden days when human sacrifice was made to the gods to cleanse the land from the abomination.
The OSU is treated as inferior people despite the fact that they were monks and priest to deities that were used to cleanse the land.
They are also treated as inferior to the “Nwadiala people”. They are meant to live in mostly isolated places where no one associates with them.
In some parts of Igboland when two young people are about to get married, Investigations are made to find out if any of them is from the Osu clan.
Things about the Osu Caste System
There are few things I want us to know about those people that are tagged OSU in Igboland,
- They are mostly the most influential.
- The Osu, are the most beautiful.
- Some Osu, are the most educated.
- Most Osu, are the most successful.
- Most philanthropists are from there.
The Osu Caste System to the best of my knowledge makes no sense and it is only a way that tradition has used to keep people’s minds in spiritual slavery.
The Bible said that “if any man be in Christ he is a new creature”, so why should we continue to see someone as an OSU when we also claim to know Christ.
I believe the Osu Caste System must be abolished by making sure that everyone knows that OSU is just the state of mind of some old grey haired men who sit in the village telling us that they are upholding the tradition and culture of the land.
This insinuation has destroyed a lot of good relationships that were built for years. It has also stalled lots of developments.
Why should a young man and woman who has been together for years believe that they will die or that their inability to have a child is simply because they are OSU?
Is the Osu Caste System mere fantasies?
These are just mere fantasies.
Irrespective of who people are, I believe that everybody should be accepted into Our Society.
Chinua Achebe in his book, No Longer At Ease, aptly described the OSU Caste system thus,
“Our fathers in their darkness and ignorance called an innocent man OSU, a thing given to the idols and thereafter he became an outcast, his children, and his children’s children forever.”
For how long shall my people dwell in this primitive darkness. The OSU Caste System should be abolished by the government and the church has a lot of work to do.
What are your thoughts on the Osu Caste System?
Have you or anyone you know been affected by the Osu Caste System?
please let us know.
Thank you.
