In the course of matchmaking , I've been saddled with so much requests , digging/ snooping. I noticed most Igbos are very particular about the OSU CASTE system. Most times clients go like " which part of Igbo? I hope he/she is not OSU". A young man gave me sad tales of how his family fought and prevented him from marrying the love of his life, because she was OSU.
They even planned eloping . Just imagine being born in this 21st century and being told you have limited rights customarily as a result of what your ancestors did, sad indeed .
IS IT POSSIBLE TO ABOLISH A CUSTOM SUCH AS THE OSU CASTE AND HOW?
For non Igbo's , OSU's are termed to be descendants of ancestors who offered themselves as sacrifices to deities in return for special privileges such as protection, wealth etc. They have limited rights customarily, are made to live on the outskirts of communities not within, they are not allowed to marry freeborns etc.
I don't see that happening any time soon.
ReplyDeleteHian... people still ask about 'Osu' kwa??
ReplyDeleteTo my greatest fear, they do 100%
DeleteNa wa o
DeleteI think it can and WILL be abolished with time. As a matter of fact there have already been several cases where the parties involved successfully defied the so-called customs and nothing happened. I think there's even a legislation by government to abolish the use of the term to refer to anyone in community affairs. Though it certainly runs deeper than just one word from government, small steps like that help to give some form of legal muscle to the fight.
ReplyDeleteUltimately only education (and I don't mean just earning certificates), especially amongst our traditional leaders, will prove to be more potent in fighting that useless aspect of our so-called traditions.
For those who think it would never end, just ask yourselves when last you heard of any albino or twins being killed in the name of religion or tradition.
Finally, we the youth, especially us so-called free-born should start making more noise about this embarrassment just like Chidinma has done with this post. Chi, good job!
if the person is a true believer of the word of God that doesn't matter, we are all the same
ReplyDeleteYou are right, to a great extent true Christians are not affected. Otherwise there are perceived consequences. Be sure of your faith before you fight such battle.
ReplyDeleteFunny enough when doing business,worshipping in the same church,receiving Holy Communion from an Osu priest or hearing the word preached by an Osu pastor etc.this Osu never comes up.so why in marriage???
ReplyDeleteSome are, if you not why not strive. Jesus knew that It is not easy that's why he said strive to enter.
ReplyDeleteFor many will seek to enter but shall not be able. It must be a conscious effort. More than just seeking. Striving insinuates more effort and force.
ReplyDeletewe hold traditions so dear ,,i dont know y,,,so sad
ReplyDeleteIt's even better now.. Heard that back in those days, you dare not be seen around any of them. You couldn't eat with them, play with them, talk to them, etc.. But that has eased up presently.. Just that you can't marry them, otherwise you become one of them.. And I asked a question, why don't they become free borns when they marry a freeborn? Y must a freeborn become an Osu because he/she married one?? ����.. So sad, but, we have to just respect traditions I guess..
ReplyDeleteChristianity has removed such case, if any family still condemn people with that, then they are not true Christians. God said we should not called what in created as unclean
ReplyDeleteThe truth remains that Christianity is not going to church only. It's a personal decision which is crowned by power to overcome all such. 'to them that believe are given power to become the sons of God
ReplyDelete