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 does Osu mean in Igboland?
The Osu Caste System is an ancient practice in Igboland that discourages social interaction and marriage with a group of people, referred to as Osu (outcasts). This is because they dedicate these Osu people to the Alusis (deities) and are thus seen as inferior to the Nwadiala (free-borns).
What is Osu and Diala?
The ohu were taken as captives from distant communities or else enslaved in payment of debts or as punishment for crimes; the diala kept them as domestic servants, sold them to white merchants, and occasionally sacrificed them in religious ceremonies or buried them alive at their masters’ funerals.
What is Osu caste system in Igboland?
The Osu caste system in Igboland is an ancient practice that is firmly against any social interaction and marriage between the “Nwadiala” (free-born) and Osu (outcast). … Those outcasts were then identified as Osu. The outcasts were either sold to slavery or delivered to the gods, and they became slaves to the gods.
What is Alusi in Igboland?
In the Igbo language, the word “alusi” refers to a number of minor deities often associated with the earth, rivers or market place. They act as forces for blessing or destruction, depending on the circumstances, and enforce punishments on “evildoers”.
What is outcast in Igboland?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 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 is Nwadiala in English?
The Nwadiala literally meaning ‘sons of the soil’. They are the masters while the Osu are the people dedicated to the gods; so they are regarded as slaves, strangers, outcasts and untouchables.
Is Osu in the Bible?
Osu caste system is not Biblical because Jesus said ‘there is neither Jew nor Gentile,’ that we are all born in Christ. Therefore, there is no division in Christian faith at all.
Does the Igbo tribe still exist?
In Nigeria, Igbos inhabit an area referred to as Igboland, which is divided into two sections along the lower River Niger. … Since the late 20th century, many Nigeria immigrants have gone to the United States, and many of them are Igbos. It is estimated that more than 2000,000 Igbos live in the United States.
Does India have a caste system?
The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories – Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and the Shudras. Many believe that the groups originated from Brahma, the Hindu God of creation.
What happens when you marry an Osu?
If you marry an Osu, you will become Osu instantly and all members of your family will be Osu. … When he wanted to marry his so-called Osu wife, his father told him not to try it otherwise he would disown him and he will never be allowed to come to the village again.
Where did Osu come from?
osu! is a free-to-play rhythm game primarily developed, published, and created by Dean “peppy” Herbert. Inspired by iNiS’ similarly-titled rhythm game Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, it was written in C# on the .
Has Osu caste system been abolished?
“Moreover, the Osu caste system is antiquated and had been outlawed since 1956. In some Igbo communities, these people are not even allowed to participate in government election, much less town union elections.
Who is Amadioha?
Amadioha is the Arusi or Agbara of thunder and lightning of the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. He is amongst the most popular of Igbo deities and in some parts of Igboland, he is referred to as Amadiora, Kamalu (which is short for Kalu Akanu), Kamanu, or Ofufe. Astrologically, his governing planet is the Sun.
What is ogwugwu Igbo?
Ogwugwu-Akala is a minor goddess in the Mbaitoli area of Imo State that is responsible for the keeping of boundaries.
What is ogwugwu deity?
Ogwugwu is about truth, justice, blessing. The Obi Ogwugwu Umuhu Ukpor is also know as ‘Obi Eziokwu bu Ndu, Asi bu Onwu’ which literally means – “the place where you say the truth and live, but you tell lies, you die”. And it is one of the most feared deities in the Southeastern part of Nigeria and beyond.