odumchi:

Osu are quite different from slaves. For example let's say an Igbo army raids a neighbouring village. Their warriors are killed, their men are sold into slavery and their children are taken as slaves but none become osu. The children will be treated well as servants/slaves. They'll be fed, respected by foreigners and might gain power and influence within a community.

An osu is someone who is shunned in the community and estranged for committing a Crime or for some other complicated manner. Osu were lower than slaves in the social ladder. But it's a complicated matter and isn't widespread. It's a complicated topic and shouldn't really be discussed by outsiders.

Why shouldnt it be discussed with outsiders? Because while the ibos have been crying of being marginalized in Nigeria, they are at the same time practising discrimination against their own fellow brothers and sisters just because they hailed from a family whose ancestors were condemned by the larger society. Shame! It is a topic that should see the light of the day and abolished completely.

There are plenty of other topics on this issue. You all should go read up instead of wasting bandwidth.

I even wonder why some Igbo think it fit to even respond to outsiders on this issue. People should face their own and stop acting "holier than thou", and Igbo should stop being foolish and giving outsiders reasons to think and act "holier than thou"; wasting saliva and bandwidth. mtcheww.

It is an inhumane and discriminatory aspect of Igbo culture and thus should be abolished. My 2cents

divinereal:

It is an inhumane and discriminatory aspect of Igbo culture and thus should be abolished. My 2cents

You have no say in Igbo culture. Omenali bu omenali. Your 2 cents aren't needed

odumchi:

You have no say in Igbo culture. Omenali bu omenali. Your 2 cents aren't needed

You seriously decided it was okay to take the time out to say this to that person?

Your rap creative but offensive.

Oh yes, very well so.
The practice will never be abolished because everyman will now be entitled to own land, become chief and marry anywoman. Land is insufficient with Osu in practice, you can imagine scarcity when the taboo is lifted. All the single ladies couldnt find decent husband have emigrated to marry into other tribes.