ABSTRACT
This research work is aimed at revealing the osu caste system and it’s practices in Igboland, A case study of Isiekenesi in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo state.
The osu system could not be easily removed in Igbo land because of the attitudes of the Igbos toward their traditional religion, norms and traditions. Despite the fact that the church, government, schools and mass media are making drastic efforts in order to eradicate the practice of osu caste system in Igbo culture, it still persists.
It was on this basis that the researcher was prompted to write on osu caste system with regards to it’s socio-political consequences in Isiekenesi and on the society at large, thereby exposing it’s dangers. This work seeks to substitute for historical complacency- a stimulus to fresh action and goes to show according to Abraham Lincoln that ‘9 nations cannot be half- free and half slave’ which definitely would create an unprecedented division.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page i
Approvalpage ii
Certification page iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgement v
Abstract vi
Table of Contents vi i
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Background to The study 1
Statement of Problem 2
Purpose of Study 4
Significance of the Study 4
Definition of Terms 5
Scope of the Study 7
Methodology and Review 7
Literature Review 11
End notes 14
CHAPTER TWO: HISTORY OF ISIEKENESI
Socio- Political Organization 16
Economic Organization 18
End Notes 20
CHAPTER THREE: OSU SYSTEM IN ISIEKENESI
Initiation and Rites 24
Types and ways of becoming Osu 25
Osu Place in Igbo Traditional Setting 27
End Note 30
CHAPTER FOUR: IMPACT OF OSU CAST SYSTEM IN ISIEKENESI
The Socio-Economic Consequence of Osu Caste System. 31
Osu Caste And The Effects In Isiekenesi Town 33
Human Rights and the Caste System 34
The Changing Status of Osu 42
Christian Attitude Towards Osu 45
The Government And The Osu System 48
The Igbo Elites And The Osu System 50
End Note 52
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION
Summary Of Findings 53
Conclusion 54
Recommendations 54
Bibliography 56
Part II 60
Oral Interviews 60
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
It is so appalling that our formal egalitarian society has been thwarted of its initial communal bond as a result of social stratification which eventually led to class inequality. This social stratification has been greeted with violations of human rights, man inhumanity to man, oppression of the less powerful etc. Worthy of note are the victims of Afro-Americans, American Indians in the United States, albinos in Africa, apartheid in South Africa, the caste in India. In Nigeria especially in Isiekenesi town of Imo State, this ugly incidence is reflected in the osu caste system.
Some particular set of humans were openly declared “persona-non-grata” They were despised, marginalized, discriminated against, ostracized and condemned because they are deemed to be of questionable ancestry. These set of people are labelled osu or caste. Despite the progress in education, industrialization and material wealth, the osu caste system remains a social ill in Igboland. People are classified into different group such as {slave}’Ohu” outcaste ‘osu’ freeborn Nwafo or Nwadiala etc.
This project is basically based on the osu caste system. It tries to examine the numerous myths posited to buttress its existence.The issue of ‘osu” had been prevalent in the olden days and still lingers till date such that those associated with the osu caste are highly dreaded and are not considered as earthly beings.
There are several myths attached to “osu” that they are regarded and associated with gods, no one dares touch them nor would anyone spill osu’s blood.Osu system is a social stigma and as such, a cob-web tied to any person, who is a descendant of such group described above. Despite the fact that osu caste is a social ill, it is sad to note that most villages in Isiekenesi in Ideato South L.G.A in Imo state have not realized its dangers. As people discriminate against others, it spurs resentment and threatens to instil insecurity among the populace. With this in view, Nzimiri notes that;“Discrimination has been regarded as enemy and evil bound to their tradition and superstations, it makes people resistance to change and new ideas and isolated from progress thus, unaware and incapable of their changing environment and ever progressing world.”1
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The consolidation of Christianity which strictly opposes social stratification, coupled with western civilization some of such problem associated with osu caste system seem to have diminished although there are still some noticeable discriminations against socio-psychological problems viz:-
- The fact that the osu belong to no common ancestral lineage, and have no symbols of a common real and known ancestor namely “Indichie” and “ofo’ and as such, they are believed to have no morality and no after life.
- Since osu was renounce as a sacrificed person, and sacrifice as we know, involves a transposition of an object, animal or person, from the secular to the sacred state. This transposition works a psychological change of attitude in the person who offers, contributes, provides for or performs the actual sacrificial ceremony. In the case of an osu, this change of an attitude determines and affects his future relationship with those who scarified him.
- It should also be noted that the inherent discrimination against this stratum purports a very serious social injustice. This unfortunate social system has continued to prevail all through to the present society. So many people embraced and accepted it as part of the custom of our people. Agitations for its abrogation are frowned at many quarters as a social engineer; therefore it is my view to investigate this conceptual framework and its resultant negative effects in Isiekenesi town.
PURPOSE OF STUDY
This research work is aimed at giving an expository view-point of osu caste system as a method of social stratification in Isiekenesi town.
- It hopes to highlight the history of Isiekenesi, and within that context, to unravel the osu caste system among the people of Isiekenesi.
- The study also aims at demonstrating how the osu caste system operates among the people of Isiekenesi.
- It discusses the various ways the practice has impacted on the town and people of Isiekenesi
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This research work is significant in so many ways:
- It will serve as a reference material to future researchers, especially in the area under discussion.
- It will expose the leadership of Isiekenesi to the evils of this lingering evil practice, and motivate them to halt it.
- The work is expected to awaken the spirit of some researchers who may wish to investigate the Igbo caste system and other aspects of the system elsewhere.
DEFINITION OF THE TERMS
CASTE
Lewis (1969) defined caste as “an endogamous and hereditary subdivision of an ethnic unit occupying a position of a superior or inferior rank or social esteem in comparison with other such sub divisions.”2
CULTURE
Roland (1976) stated that “culture is that complex whole which includes, belief art, morals, law, custom and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society”.3
OSU
According to J.M Okafor (1985)“Osu is a sacred and holy being deserved to lead a secluded life like a monk in order to salvage and save the people under him; a king and saviour”.4
OSU CASTE SYSTEM
Okeke Igwebuike R. (1986) defined the osu caste system as “an invented conventional religious preposition established by our fore fathers through religious ceremonies with religious apparatus to serve as religious purpose”.5
OHU [SLAVE]
Bohannan in his African Outline stated that a slave in this sense refers to people who are attached to domestic group by non-kingship links of a sort that contains element of servility.
DIALA NWAFOR OR ONWE [FREEBORN]
Freeborn is neither a slave nor an outcaste and has legal right to participate in any societal activities he/she wishes.
ICHIE, OZO, NZE
Titled men and elders who are held in high esteem in Igboland.
MARRIAGE ENDOGAMY
This refers to an endorsed marriage system which only people of a social stratum, marry one another.
ABOLITION
This refers to putting an end to an old custom, it was measured as follows:-Mass education of people, legislation of government giving it enough to die off.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study covers the social history of Isiekenesi in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State. Isiekenesi has an estimated population of 674,000 people, the component villages of the town are: – Dimagu, Okohia, Awala, Umuaghobe, Umuojishi and Isieke
The segment of population of Isiekenesi that formed the subjects of our research include the educated and illiterates, the old and the young, animists (that is the traditionalist) and Christians alike; titled elders and non-titled elders and people servants.
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