Osu is an igbo word for "outcast" It is a word used to describe a
person dedicated to a deity. Onubogu J. (1988:20) stated that Osu is a
person completely dedicated to an idol who by implications deprived of
fundamental Human Rights, and social political and religious right of
people.
Traditionally there are two classes of people in Igboland
the “Nwadiala and Osu.” Nwadiala literally means "sons of the soil"
they are free born and they are the masters. While Osu are the slaves,
strangers, the outcast and untouchable. No one harms, marries or
interacts with an Osu. They can only marry themselves. Historically, Osu
system started during the slave trade era.
Men who couldn't fight off
kidnappers, those who felt insecure and weak or didn't want to lose
their family members to kidnappers who sell victims to human traffickers
or the white slave dealers resort to dedicating their families to some
powerful deities.
In my community when Osu woman marries a man that is not Osu, the community automatically incorporate the man to the Osu linage. This has caused a lot of havoc between the Osu and Nwadiala, thereby making it very impossible for an Osu person to marry a Nwadiala. As a result, Osu is only able to marry an Osu. With passage of time, Osu people multiplied because all the children born of their descendants became Osu automatically. The Osu system has really affected a lot of people in marriage. A girl may see someone she loves, and before you know it parents will start tracing the family of the man to know if he is Osu or not. In the olden days Osu members 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 gods on behalf of a freeborn at community gathering. It is believed that such prayers will bring calamity and misfortune. In conclusion I pray that they will abolished this issue of Osu because it’s really affecting the life of people in many communities in Igboland.
ALSO Read => Obi of Onitsha Advocates End To OSU Caste System.
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