Admin l Tuesday, October 01, 2018
OWERRI, Imo, Nigeria – Twenty-four traditional rulers in Imo State have endorsed the abolition of the Osu caste system. The Osu caste system is an ancient practice in Igboland that discourages social interaction and marriage with a group of persons called Osu(outcast), whose ancestors are believed to have been either enslaved or dedicated to the worship of deities in Igboland and are considered as inferior beings and usually separated from the diala(free born).
The 24 traditional rulers also called for proper integration of those affected by the Osu system into the society. The decision was reached on Monday following a resolution at a joint meeting organised by a civil society group, Initiative for The Eradication of Traditional and Cultural Stigmatization in Our Society (IFETACSIOS).
Speaking on the Osu Caste System, Chairman of Council of Traditional Rulers in Oguta Local Government Area, HRM, Eze Franklin Okafor who led the royal fathers, said: “This system is evil and devilish; our people cannot intermarry with others, while a major deprivation is meted on the affected people due to fetish tradition. We have resolved today that we will partner with IFETACSIOS group to carry the crusade against caste system to the entire Igbo land and ensure that it was abolished.”
Professor Dele Odigbo, another traditional ruler in the area described the Osu caste system as a violation of the right to association, adding that those considered to fall in the class of caste system are deprived of certain privileges.He also noted that the resolution will ensure a sense of belonging.
President of the IFETACSIOS, Stella Ogechukwu, said the organisation had launched the campaign in various states in the South-East. “Our royal fathers are the major key players in this struggle and that is why we are partnering with all of them to see how we can end this evil system and to set our people free from bondage.
“The IFETACSIOS group is advocating for the abrogation of Osu, Ohu, Ume and Diala caste system in Igbo land which have done more harm than good.”
