THE OSU CASTE SYSTEM IN IGBO LAND

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.

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