a method of discrimination among some Igbo groups in the name of dedication to the gods.
STOP THE OSU CASTE SYSTEM IN IGBOLAND
-- "The Igbos, who are the center of this discourse, discriminate against each other by reason of the Osu caste status. The people referred to by the names are regarded as sub-human being, the unclean class, or slaves.
I believe it is high time we as the Igbo nation overcome this archaic caste system.
I believe it is high time we as the Igbo nation overcome this archaic caste system.
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."
From the Facebook group at
Google search : Osu caste system
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