alj harem:



i know this woman called ileke-idi

the feels i have for her

excanny:

There should be a law that makes it a criminal offence, and those still practising it should be convicted and threw behind bars.

In many parts of Nigeria there are also those sacrificed to idols and confirmed Osu's. Some even have the names of such deities as their surnames(Ifatoye, Sangogbemi, etc). I dont see why it should be a big deal in Alaigbo.

excanny:

^^^
Then you dont know what an Osu is. That you dont discriminate against them in your place doesn't make it different from the way they would have been treated were it in Igbo land.



Idol worshipping is not just extolled in Igbo land. Osus are in the sense of the world supposed to be given special respect, since they are in the service of the gods.

Like I previously said, Osus are everywhere in the world. The only difference is that they are seen as ill-luck in Igboland and thus treated as  'outcasts', while in other lands they are revered and respected.

Moreover, this isn't about Yoruba vs Igbo thing. I've been trying to get similar situations from other cultures, though it's hard since not much is published about these peoples. So take your tribalistic mind elsewhere.

EDITED: Slightly

alj harem:


i really do not think there are osu's in yorubaland or[b] anywhere else[/b] expect maybe briton (gypsis) but all in all i will be happy if that part of our culture is gone

alj harem:

tewmuch, i do not think u understand what tewmuch has posted

he is saying there are no osu in there land,,, he said those surnames are given to families that have worshiped some god in the olden days

i really do not think there are osu's in yorubaland or anywhere else expect maybe briton (gypsis) but all in all i will be happy if that part of our culture is gone

Akhenaten:

Haven't you heard of the untouchables (dalits) in India? They are one of the largest outcast groups in the world. 160 million Indians are considered untouchables, in which they are the lowest of India's caste system and are treated with disdain.

In Hawaii you have the Kauwa caste, which are considered the slave out outcast caste. Among the Wolof, you have the the jaam, which are considered the slave caste and the neeno, which are the underclass.

The Somali people also have a caste system as well, in which the Mahdiban are considered outcasts. You will also find outcast among the Tuareg and in Mauritania as well.

That really speaks volumes about your limited knowledge of the world. Now stop making ignorant statements. Cause your post make you look like an asinine buffoon.

excanny:

I understood what Tench is saying. But I'm going by the sense of the word Os's which means those devoted to the service of the gods. His own point is that such devoted ones are not considered outcasts in his place. I agree, but that doesn't change the fact that their family is tied to those gods. It's just the belief system that determines how you consider certain concepts.

Hopejoy:

@ Excanny. I quite agree and share the same view with you. 'Outcast' are everywhere but largely depends on how a particular culture sees them. Igbos (part) is barbaric in nature on this issue.

The story was a true one cos i witnessed it all. I believe some day, this barbaric attitude will stop for us to move forward. It is also worthy of note that in some Igbo land these people dorminate and rule over the free born while in some other parts, they are marginalised. Then in other places they dont even know what it is even though they are Igbos. Other places, there is equal right as a free born dare not call the other an outcast or all hell will let loose.

alj harem:

OK brother, i perfectly understand what you are saying but if that is the case, most Yoruba's go by the name fadeye, etc does that mean they are also outcast (i know they are osu) because my say in Lagos about 80% of the people i meant we either fa something (ifa) or sangodeyi (Sango) or even ogunsola (ogun) etc,,,, please i would like you knowledge on this

thanks

excanny:

I dont think you deserve to be taught about Igbo culture. Your posting history have been largely anti-Igbo.

Hopejoy:

@ Excanny. I quite agree and share the same view with you. 'Outcast' are everywhere but largely depends on how a particular culture sees them. Igbos (part) is barbaric in nature on this issue.

The story was a true one cos i witnessed it all. I believe some day, this barbaric attitude will stop for us to move forward. It is also worthy of note that in some Igbo land these people dorminate and rule over the free born while in some other parts, they are marginalised. Then in other places they dont even know what it is even though they are Igbos. Other places, there is equal right as a free born dare not call the other an outcast or all hell will let loose.

TewMuch:

[b]Excanny you are getting it wrong. Those people are not outcasts. [/b]It is just like saying you are referred to as an outcast for being a doctor. The Yoruba gods are loved and revered, so those people's ancestors were worshippers or preists. I think it may have even been an honor to marry into such a family. There were also guilds of farmer's and hunter's who still have those surnnames would you refer to them as outcasts too? A farmer? Yoruba society is very complex, and a very accomodating one. Just like we can't persecute you for being a christian, we can't persecute the ancestor's of an Ifatoye for adherring to Ifa. There was simply nothing like that when it comes to religion. Although I heard a story about some Ijebu's. Not clear on it again. But that was only specific to that area.

excanny:

I understood what Tewmuch is saying. But I'm going by the sense of the word 'osu' which means those devoted to the service of the gods. His own point is that such 'devoted' ones are not considered outcasts in his place. I agree, but that doesn't change the fact that their family is tied to those gods. It's just the belief system that determines how you consider certain concepts.

ChinenyeN:

The bolded, being the basis of your response, TewMuch, just shows that you have not been understanding what excanny has been saying. He isn't referring to those people as outcasts. If anything, you and him are saying the same thing, with the exception of excanny going on to further state that some Igbo groups/areas, for whatever reason, have attached ill-luck to the devotees, making them outcasts. Aside from that, the two of you have been in agreement. Excanny even said so himself.

Andre Uweh:

I would so much love to see this tradition abolished in Igboland. In my own particular community, none exists. But two communities south of mine has it in some families. The Eze of the community is prepared to assist with the eradication of this stigma. However some natural forces beyond his control has hindered this task. For example, heavy downpour has disrupted activities on two occasions on days set aside for this task.
Death and dying has also threatened those spearheading the abolition movement.
Perhaps, there is a lot to it which we may not know.

excanny:

How did they intend to eradicate it?

Hopejoy:

@ excanny

I know and understand the context under which i used the word 'Barbaric'. What i meant was the barbaric practices of some Igbo people on this issue (without civilizing influences). I rather advice you think before you post. It is obviously the 2nd warning you are getting just on this post and you better watch it.

I believe you can communicate well without insults otherwise keep sealed lips .

Hopejoy:

@excanny

I believe i have made my point and its well understood. No offence anyway, just wanted you to know that i understood what the word i used meant, thats all.