One traditional Igbo practice is the caste system which dehumanises and treats as outcasts those designated to be „Osu‟. Also referred to as Ume, Ohu, Oru, Ohu Ume, and Omoni (Okpu-Aja), people of the Osu caste “are regarded as sub-human… unclean…or slaves”.
What is OSU in Igbo land?
The Osu caste system is an ancient practice in Igboland that discourages social interaction and marriage with a group of persons called Osu (Igbo: outcast).
What are OSU people?
Among the Igbo people of eastern Nigeria the Osu are outcasts, the equivalent of being an “untouchable”. Years ago he and his family would be shunned by society, banished from communal land, banned from village life and refused the right to marry anyone not from an Osu family.
What are the consequences of marrying an OSU?
Our parents would tell us which barber’s shop to use and which one to avoid. As custom demands, if Osu person cuts your hair, you will automatically become Osu, and every member of your family becomes Osu instantly. If you marry an Osu, you will become Osu instantly and all members of your family will be Osu.
Does Nigeria have a caste system?
In 1956, the legislature in southeastern Nigeria passed a statute outlawing the caste system, which then simply went underground.
Is there OSU in Anambra State?
It is located in the present Anambra State. Only one type of Osu is now in existence and it is wholly accepted by those who are fond of disparaging the descendants of the discredited Osu caste system in Igbo land.
What is OSU fruit called in Yoruba?
In southern Nigeria it is called “osu” (Edo), “nkpokiri” (Ibo), and “erin” (Yoruba). It flowers in November and from March to May. The fruit is about 5.25 cm in diameter, yellow to orange, glabrous and smooth containing twelve or more disc-shaped seeds embedded in a gelatinous pulp (Keay et al., 1964.
Did Africa have a caste system?
Caste systems in Africa are a form of social stratification found in numerous ethnic groups, found in over fifteen countries, particularly in the Sahel, West Africa, and North Africa.
Where is OSU located?
The Ohio State University, commonly Ohio State or OSU, is a public land-grant research university in Columbus, Ohio.
Can I marry an OSU?
They cannot marry or be married among the people. They can only be buried at (sic) certain days of the week … they cannot be conferred with Ozo, Nze or Oji Ofo titles, nor can they become Akaraka (traditional ruler). An Osu cannot represent the community, nor act on behalf of the people.”
Can slaves get married?
9 Slaves were prohibited from marrying because, as long as they were in a state of bondage, they lacked the capacity to enter into any legally enforceable civil contracts. Once emancipated and granted the capacity to contract, the right of freed slaves to marry was undisputed.
What do I need to get married in Nigeria?
How to register a marriage in Nigeria
- Marriage is registered at a local public registry, which requires a Letter of Marriage Intention and payment of a fee of Naira 2,000.
- A person under 18 years of age, who wishes to register a marriage, is required to present a letter of consent from his or her parents.
Does the practice of the caste system still exist?
In certain southern states and in the northern state of Bihar, many people began using just one name after social reform movements. Despite the changes though, caste identities remain strong, and last names are almost always indications of what caste a person belongs to.
Where do caste systems exist?
The caste system, as it actually works in India is called jati. The term jati appears in almost all Indian languages and is related to the idea of lineage or kinship group. There are perhaps more than 3000 jatis in India and there is no one all-Indian system of ranking them in order of status.
What is meant by caste?
Caste is a form of social stratification characterized by endogamy, hereditary transmission of a style of life which often includes an occupation, ritual status in a hierarchy, and customary social interaction and exclusion based on cultural notions of purity and pollution.