The Osu caste system is an ancient practice in
Igboland that discourages social interaction and marriage with a group of persons called Osu ( Igbo : outcast). 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).


Origin

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. 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.

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. 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. This form of maltreatment and punishments have made the osus to flee to other countries for survival.

Criticism

Since 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. According to some human rights groups who are calling for its abolishment, some of the punishments meted out against the osus 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.

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.

Hmm, Ok you need to add more. You're here and there. You started well but obviously you left out a lot of other details.

Cheers

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.

[/quote]So if not for fine imposed on these people, they will still be segregating themselves as OSU n real igbos. Twotherful ehhh.

pacino26:
Hmm, Ok you need to add more. You're here and there. You started well but obviously you left out a lot of other details.

Cheers

You can add for us na. Let us learn.

Westbestside:
You can add for us na. Let us learn.

Arrrhhhh you got me there so I'll try.

Osu categories;
1-Outcast by virtue of an act committed by a person, family or clan against the land.
2-Those who ran to a deity to avoid capital punishment and dedicating themselves and lineage to that deity.
3-Those who by virtue of defeat from inter communal classes are brought back to be used for rituals and other fetish purposes. Usually they are branded by the victorious warrior.
4-The ones abandoned in camps and rural trade routes after the abolishing of the Trans Atlantic slave trade.

The folks in category 1 can at a time get free if they are able to meet with whatever heavy fine imposed or served out their punishment in exile and perform any cleansing rite at stipulated. Okonkwo comes to mind in Things fall apart.

Category 2 is deemed irredeemable and usually avoided like plague. They usually end up cleaning the shrines and assisting the chief priests.

Ikemefuna from Things Fall Apart is a case study here. They are usually used for activities that I term despicable such as baits for wild games and hunting practice. They usually get rewarded with freedom by their masters and get absorbed by same family or if by luck can be returned to their original place of origin.

Class 4 got their issues documented and various policies drafted for their resettlement.

That's all I can give out for now.