Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / NewStats: 3,194,377 members, 7,954,529 topics. Date: Friday, 20 September 2024 at 09:22 PM |
Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Culture / Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) (16303 Views)
Laws Of Igboland (Iwu Obodo) / Igbos, Will You Marry An Osu? / Would You Marry An Osu? (2) (3) (4)
Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by boron10(m): 1:18pm On Jun 15, 2012 |
It amazes me to know that segregation abounds among the igbos, and this also goes to show that some parts of this country are yet to even commence civilization. My igbo friend was dating a girl, both were so much into each other, a day barely passed without my friend mentioning the girl's name or calling her. I was so jealous of their relationship that i always pray for God to grant me someone i would love and would as well reciprocate my love like my friend and his babe. Nobody would have predicted that culture could sour this almost perfect relationship. It was not until this lady confessed to be an OSU that my friend started avoiding her like plague, he stopped picking her calls, never returned her text messages and whenever i talk to him about her he would tell me to mind my business. So. I would like to know what is really wrong with marrying the so called outcast. 1 Like |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by boron10(m): 1:27pm On Jun 15, 2012 |
Moderator pls kindly delete one of the posts |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by EfemenaXY: 1:29pm On Jun 15, 2012 |
^^ And what makes them "outcasts"? |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by boron10(m): 1:36pm On Jun 15, 2012 |
Efemena_xy: ^^ And what makes them "outcasts"?I don't know, I'm not an igbo boy. |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by EfemenaXY: 1:47pm On Jun 15, 2012 |
So why talk about what you know nothing of? Cheap publicity stunts in the family section will get you no where. 1 Like |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by boron10(m): 1:57pm On Jun 15, 2012 |
Did you actually read this post before commenting? Pls don't act dumb i beg, i posted this for discerning nairalanders to explain if there is any real consequence in marrying an OSU Efemena_xy: So why talk about what you know nothing of? Cheap publicity stunts in the family section will get you no where. |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by Nobody: 2:09pm On Jun 15, 2012 |
It's a question even our 10th generation past have been able to answer, what makes you think you will get your answers here? BTW use the search engine before starting a topic |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by boron10(m): 2:20pm On Jun 15, 2012 |
jennykadry: It's a question even our 10th generation past have been able to answer, what makes you think you will get your answers here? BTW use the search engine before starting a topicHas the topic been posted b4? Anyway sha thanks for your advice |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by EfemenaXY: 3:44pm On Jun 15, 2012 |
boron10: Did you actually read this post before commenting? Pls don't act dumb i beg, i posted this for discerning nairalanders to explain if there is any real consequence in marrying an OSU You're the dumb one for posting this piece of junk here, in the hope of creating a heated debate. |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by Nobody: 4:07pm On Jun 15, 2012 |
boron10: It amazes me to know that segregation abounds among the igbos, and this also goes to show that some parts of this country are yet to even commence civilization. My igbo friend was dating a girl, both were so much into each other, a day barely passed without my friend mentioning the girl's name or calling her. I was so jealous of their relationship that i always pray for God to grant me someone i would love and would as well reciprocate my love like my friend and his babe. Nobody would have predicted that culture could sour this almost perfect relationship. It was not until this lady confessed to be an OSU that my friend started avoiding her like plague, he stopped picking her calls, never returned her text messages and whenever i talk to him about her he would tell me to mind my business. Your friend told you to mind your business and refused to explain to you why he is avoiding the lady? He should be in the best position to explain to you why he doesnt want the 'OSU'. But you decided to find out more for yourself? Anyway, I dont know much about OSU but got an advise, if you are interested in the lady, go ahead and marry her...? Forget this OSU topic abeg. |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by watchme(f): 6:10pm On Jul 22, 2012 |
I knew of a kindred in my village that were "OSU" they later decided to perform some sacrifices and called the whole village that no body should regard them as OSU anymore that they have cleansed themselves from the cause. After 2 months of the cleaning and renaming of there linage, there elderly ones started dieing, both family members abroad they continue to die one after the other, followed by the younger ones. One day a man from their linage noticed that it is really going out of hand, after burying his wife and two of his elderly sons in less than two weeks, he took a drum and a stick and started announcing to the whole village that he is truly an OSU and all his linage are OSU including the ones abroad and those in the country that he vouch on behalf of all his linage and as from that day, things became normal again. This is truly a life story it happened in my presence. I think that they made the decision out of frustration. This OSU are known to be rich, there guys are the most handsome, and there girls are know to be the most beautiful. Compiled with there high standard of intelligence. They always come first in all the school activities while I was in the secondary school. But apart from all this that stigma OSU still follows them. They (OSU's) are not regarded in my community, they are not allowed to talk in my community gathering meeting. They are not allowed to contest in any political position in my community despite their riches. My grand father is a CATHCHIST in the Catholic church in my home town, he is a well known educated man. But when he noticed that my cousin has fallen in love with an OSU, he didn't take it lightly until the relationship got dissolved. It is absolutely barbaric. If I eventually fall in love with one I will definitely go ahead. With my arrangements with nobody's consent. 1 Like |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by Metalgoong(m): 7:57pm On Jul 22, 2012 |
watchme: I knew of a kindred in my village that were "OSU" they later decided to perform some sacrifices and called the whole village that no body should regard them as OSU anymore that they have cleansed themselves from the cause. After 2 months of the cleaning and renaming of there linage, there elderly ones started dieing, both family members abroad they continue to die one after the other, followed by the younger ones. One day a man from their linage noticed that it is really going out of hand, after burying his wife and two of his elderly sons in less than two weeks, he took a drum and a stick and started announcing to the whole village that he is truly an OSU and all his linage are OSU including the ones abroad and those in the country that he vouch on behalf of all his linage and as from that day, things became normal again. @the bolded All I can say: Dump of Crap!! 1 Like |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by brut(f): 9:40pm On Jul 26, 2012 |
. |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by Nobody: 11:15am On Jul 27, 2012 |
Op , your question is too brazen. Notice that most easterners renowned for their exposure here on NL have only either just read the post or tactfully avoided the discourse. Now you will wonder why with thier level of education, they are still being held under such belief. You think heh ? They are all as scared stiff as your friend who wouldn't proceed with his marraige. The easterners have the highest concentration of christians among all tribe's in Nigeria but then, just as a previous poster has alleged. Some highly reverred preists wouldn't even subscribe to their children marrying the category in question. It is obvious amidst all this that it is either the education has yet to permeate their social order or rather when they claim to worship God they strongly believe the god's must be worshipped too. Ofcourse, so far we have only heard people screaming do not discriminate cos he who is in christ is a new creature old this have passed away. Do not be fooled, the discrimanatory and disturbing order of the caste system is still deeply rooted in the tradition of the easterners. Now that education couldn't save them , neither could religion what do you think will ? I'm afraid they will forever be held captive by their own receptive mind's. 2 Likes |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by Philipsdael(m): 2:08pm On Jul 27, 2012 |
Wow......... Thumpsup to the contributors of this enlightening thread...... As a yoruba-guy, can i get married to an Osu......cause i like igbo-girls.....even my mum is from the east.... |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by RoyalRoy(m): 7:55pm On Jul 28, 2012 |
Please any enlightened Igbo person should help us understand this phenomenon. What did they do to make them an outcast? What is the way out of it? Can they ever be free? |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by Philipsdael(m): 8:15pm On Aug 28, 2012 |
Royal Roy: Please any enlightened Igbo person should help us understand this phenomenon. What did they do to make them an outcast? What is the way out of it? Can they ever be free?i think their wrong deeds has been stated above......but what can be the posible way out......and can an outsider get married to an Osu without any negative effects? |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by Ndipe(m): 9:12pm On Aug 28, 2012 |
watchme: I knew of a kindred in my village that were "OSU" they later decided to perform some sacrifices and called the whole village that no body should regard them as OSU anymore that they have cleansed themselves from the cause. After 2 months of the cleaning and renaming of there linage, there elderly ones started dieing, both family members abroad they continue to die one after the other, followed by the younger ones. One day a man from their linage noticed that it is really going out of hand, after burying his wife and two of his elderly sons in less than two weeks, he took a drum and a stick and started announcing to the whole village that he is truly an OSU and all his linage are OSU including the ones abroad and those in the country that he vouch on behalf of all his linage and as from that day, things became normal again. Read this novel, "No Longer at Ease" by Chinua Achebe. The protagonist parents (who was the first son of Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart) who are Christians are unwilling to let their son marry a lady because their culture regards her as an Osu. Infact, the mother vows to kill herself if he marries her. 1 Like |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by RoyalRoy(m): 11:49am On Sep 24, 2012 |
. |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by Philipsdael(m): 3:04pm On Sep 24, 2012 |
No one is answering my question. |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by Nobody: 6:27am On Sep 25, 2012 |
Philipsdael: No one is answering my question.my brother , are you surprised ? Most igbo's are christians and cowards too. They claim to be enlightened but then to discuss an issue, they go shitting in their pants. Funny thing is that some of this scared and bigoted peeps are pastors, deacons, ushers and prayer leaders in their respective churches. I think the caste system is a lost cause. Igbos will never outgrow it, just like some villages are renowned for eating non natives how sad ? 4 Likes |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by spawnx: 11:54am On Sep 25, 2012 |
The Osu Caste System Leo Igwe The Osu caste system is an obnoxious practice among the Igbos -in Nigeria-which has refused to go away despite the impact of Christianity, modern education and civilization, and the human rights culture. In this piece, I will argue that the Osu discrimination is an outdated tradition with no basis for its continued practice and observance in the contemporary Igbo society. Traditionally, there are two classes of people in Igboland – the Nwadiala and the Osu. The Nwadiala literally meaning ‘sons of the soil’ are the freeborn. They are the masters. While the Osu are the slaves, the strangers, the outcasts and the untouchables. Chinua Achebe in his well- known book, No Longer At Ease asks: What is this thing called Osu? He answers: “Our fathers in their darkness and ignorance called an innocent man Osu, a thing given to the idols, and thereafter he became an outcast, and his children, and his children’s children forever” The Osu are treated as inferior human beings in a state of permanent and irreversible disability. They are subjected to various forms of abuse and discrimination. The Osu are made to live separately from the freeborn. In most cases they reside very close to shrines and marketplaces. The Osu are not allowed to dance, drink, hold hands, associate or have sexual relations with Nwadiala. They are not allowed to break kola nuts at meetings. No Osu can pour libation or pray to God on behalf of a freeborn at any community gathering. It is believed that such prayers will bring calamity and misfortune. A human rights group outlined the atrocities meted out against the Osu in Igboland. They include: ‘parents administering poison to their children, disinheritance, ostracism, organized attack, heaping harvest offering separately in churches, denial membership in social clubs, violent disruption of marriage ceremonies, denial of chieftaincy titles, deprivation of property and expulsion of wives etc.” The Osu caste discrimination is very pronounced in the area of marriage. An Osu cannot marry a freeborn. The belief is that any freeborn that marries an Osu defiles the family. So freeborn families are always up in arms against any of their members who wants to marry an Osu. They go to any length to scuttle the plan. Because of the Osu factor, marriages in Igboland are preceded by investigations-elders on both sides travel to native villages to find out the social status of the other party. And if it is found that one of them is an Osu, the plan would be automatically abandoned. Many marriage plans have been aborted, and in fact some married couples have been forced to divorce because of the Osu factor. Chinua Achebe also noted this in his book. When Okonkwo learns that his son wants to marry Clara, an Osu. Okonkwo says: “ Osu is like a leprosy in the minds of my people. I beg of you my son not to bring the mark of shame and leprosy into your family. If you do, your children and your children’s children will curse you and your memory… You will bring sorrow on your head and on the heads of your children.” But there have been several efforts and initiatives to eradicate this harmful tradition. In 1956, the government of the then Eastern Nigeria passed a law abolishing the Osu caste system. The law freed and discharged anybody called Osu including the children born to such a person. It declared the practice unlawful – and a crime punishable by law. But unfortunately, 50 years after the enactment of this legislation, nobody has been prosecuted or convicted for breaking the law. At best what the legislation has achieved is to drive the practice underground. Also many religious leaders and traditional rulers have spoken out against the practice. Recently Eze Enyeribe Onuoha, the traditional ruler of Umuchieze autonomous community in Imo State urged his community members to abandon the practice. He said: “discrimination against Osus is irrational, illegal, unjust and archaic and opposed to human rights. It is one Umuchieze(Igbo) tradition that should immediately be abolished.” But statements and declarations like this are not uncommon. But they have always fallen on deaf ears among the Igbo people most of whom think that cultural norms are sacrosanct and should not be tampered with. So the belief in and practice of Osu caste system continue to wax strong in Igboland. In 1997, a person alleged to be an Osu was made a chief in a community in Imo State. But six months later, the community was engulfed in a crisis. And when the case was brought to the court, the presiding judge noted that though the abolition of Osu caste system was in the statute, it was an unenforceable law. The chief was dethroned so that peace would reign in the community. And not too long ago I met a lady in a friend’s house in Lagos. I was told that she was engaged to a young man from Imo State. And months later I learnt that the marriage plan had been abandoned because the lady was said to be an Osu. There have been several instances like that where young men and women of Igbo extraction have suffered heartbreaks and emotional traumas as a result of this cultural disease. And now the question is, why is it that this cultural practice has refused to go away even among educated Igbos. The reason is not far fetched. The practice of Osu caste system is hinged on religion, supernaturalism and theism. And Igbos are deeply religious and theistic people. Osu are regarded as unclean or untouchable because they are (alleged to be) dedicated to the gods. So it is the dedication to the gods that makes the Osu status a condition of permanent and irreversible disability and stigma. So this cruel custom will not be eradicated until Igbos begin to realize that gods are imaginary beings, not objective entities. Igbos need to understand that deities and spirits are mental constructs used to control and organize the society at the infancy of the human race. And today that humanity has come of age. Because if one does not believe that the gods and spirits are real, then the idea of treating someone as unclean or untouchable because the person is dedicated to any deity does not make sense at all. Even for the god-believing Igbos, the practice is out rightly baseless. Because most Igbos are Christians and do not profess any belief in the traditional gods to which the Osu were (alleged to be) dedicated. So, it is both sensible and appropriate that all Igbos - believers and non-believers alike renounce and abandon this abhorrent, inhuman and despicable practice. Politically, state authorities must get Igbo communities and associations to remove provisions in their constitution that bar Osu from contesting elections or receiving traditional titles. Legally, the courts must begin to enforce the law abolishing the Osu caste system. And the Nigerian state must rise up to its duty of protecting and defending the humanity, dignity and equal rights of all citizens irrespective of their sex, ethnic origin, religion, belief or birth status. Most importantly Igbos must begin to envision a new society where people can live and interact, marry and be married, elect and be elected, without division, distinction, discrimination on the basis of Osu or Nwadiala. Hence I want to use this opportunity to appeal to my people- ndi Igbo : Please let’s strive to remove this mark of leprosy and shame from the face of our culture and society. 10 Likes |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by Philipsdael(m): 12:10pm On Sep 29, 2012 |
Thumbsup to you SPAWNX...... I totaly second your comment |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by movmentish(m): 4:04pm On Sep 29, 2012 |
Wats osu And doesn't dat translate into some kinda racism |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by Recoverd(f): 6:31pm On Sep 30, 2012 |
their fore fathers commited a taboo in the old day and ran to their shrine for protection when the villagers wanted to kill them. Since they commited their lives to the gods the villagers declared them outcasts. No one talks to them, sells or buy things from them etc. Truth is if you are not born again do not even think of marrying one.. This is no joke, you must seek Gods intervention befor you venture into marrying one. True christianity has taken over but that curse must be broken else calamity befalls you. So let up not act like we dont know what it means. 2 Likes |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by Philipsdael(m): 10:11pm On Oct 01, 2012 |
Recoverd: their fore fathers commited a taboo in the old day and ran to their shrine for protection when the villagers wanted to kill them. Since they commited their lives to the gods the villagers declared them outcasts. No one talks to them, sells or buy things from them etc. Truth is if you are not born again do not even think of marrying one.. This is no joke, you must seek Gods intervention befor you venture into marrying one. True christianity has taken over but that curse must be broken else calamity befalls you. So let up not act like we dont know what it means.does this means that those people answering "NWOSU" are once-upon-a-time an outcast? |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by Abagworo(m): 12:55am On Oct 02, 2012 |
The Catholic Church has ended osu among Catholics in Imo State. I heard this at a wedding in Owerri where the Arch Bishop said that any Parent who prevents the son or daughter from marrying an osu he/she is in love with will be banished from Catholic Church. |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by PAGAN9JA(m): 1:19am On Oct 02, 2012 |
spawnx: stop exaggerating you st.upid slave! and isnt your bible a mental brainwashing construct isnt it what made kill many people and tribals around the world. i have burn many bibles in my life and soon i will spread the campaign to burn that evil uncean book. so our Gods a.k.a. itangible Spiritual Forces are less real than your material man-God. to begn with your God, is not a God. Igbos must realise that they are worshipping a jewish criminal traitor who tried to inspire rebellion against the stable and progressive Pagan Roman EMpire, that ha produce soome of the finest scholars, scientists , philosophers, architects, etc., in the history of mankind. and now only most Igbos are chritian, NOT ALL! so dont get your hopes too high. anyways in the coming years, people are already realising the falsity and evil of christianity and will soon move away from it. like for example, how you guyz are now being slaughtered in the relgious section. 2 Likes |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by Philipsdael(m): 8:29am On Oct 02, 2012 |
Hmmm.... Words flying like rackets.... What i'll say is that... We ₦igerians are so mentally attarched to spiritism, thus we emphasize and exergerate things that concerns religion.... Letz try and live on the real side of life. 1 Like |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by odumchi: 10:23pm On Oct 02, 2012 |
Abagworo: The Catholic Church has ended osu among Catholics in Imo State. I heard this at a wedding in Owerri where the Arch Bishop said that any Parent who prevents the son or daughter from marrying an osu he/she is in love with will be banished from Catholic Church. Abagworo I think you might be the right person to ask this: Does the name "Nwosu" mean "child of an osu"? |
Re: Anything Wrong With Marrying An Osu(outcast From Some Parts Of Igboland) by AndreUweh(m): 11:43pm On Oct 02, 2012 |
@Odumchi, Osu has so many meanings in Igbo language just as some words mean so many different things in English. Osu means an authority or well versed in something. Example, if you are called Osu ji-it means you are an authority in yam production. Osunkwa--an authority in music or dance. etc. If one is called Nwa osu-that means you are a son of an iconic figure. 1 Like |
Oyibo Man Learns How To Greet The Olu Of Warri (Video) / Why Have We Been So Far Behind Whites: ? / Misunderstanding Anambra Igbo Dialect
(Go Up)
Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 95 |