Abstract
The paper seeks to examine caste conflict in Nigeria with particular focus on the Osu/Diala experience. In Nigeria every day we experience conflicts ranging from ethnic to religious, sects to caste conflicts, while so much attention is paid to other types of conflict, little attention has been paid to the conflicts between caste group. This could be the reason for paucity of literature on caste conflicts in Nigeria. The frustration-aggression theory is used as framework of analysis with qualitative descriptive research design and a multi-disciplinary approach of historical study as methodology. The Igbo since time immemorial have been divided majorly along lines of caste with the Diala perceived to be the superior and the Osu the inferior. This division comes with some political, economic, social and cultural restrictions for the Osu caste in communities where the system is practiced. Consequently, these restrictions breed anger, hatred, anxiety, tension, frustration and aggression as the Osu continually demand equality while the Diala on the other hand want to maintain the status quo. Ultimately, conflict becomes inevitable with attendant negative consequences on the community and greater implications for the entire Igbo nationality. The paper proffers solution on how such conflict can be managed as well how the caste system can be eliminated in its entirety.
Highlights
While claiming that the caste system appears to be the most fundamental and unshakable, he states that “it is fundamental because it is almost aboriginally attached to the traditional system of people-making the necessary distinction between those “free” and “properly” born with legitimacy into the society and those regarded as “illegitimate” by virtue and circumstance of their birth or arrival in the society or, by circumstance of their being dedicated to one god or the other”(Mgbada, 2016, p.355) This distinction has resulted in the struggle between the Diala and Osu over land and economic trees, public properties and community allocations, as the former always assumes superior position over the Osu whom they regard as inferiors
Caste conflict are rife in Nigeria, despite the low attention given to it by the media, academics and policy makers
The Osu caste system has shown to breed conflict and violence among the Osu and Diala. The basis of this conflict lies in the human rights infringement that comes with the Osu caste system
Summary
Social and political pressures arising from divisions on the lines of religion, ethnicity, class, sect and caste have given way for the numerous conflicts the nation is currently experiencing daily. While claiming that the caste system appears to be the most fundamental and unshakable, he states that “it is fundamental because it is almost aboriginally attached to the traditional system of people-making the necessary distinction between those “free” and “properly” born with legitimacy into the society and those regarded as “illegitimate” by virtue and circumstance of their birth or arrival in the society or, by circumstance of their being dedicated to one god or the other”(Mgbada, 2016, p.355) This distinction has resulted in the struggle between the Diala and Osu over land and economic trees, public properties and community allocations, as the former always assumes superior position over the Osu whom they regard as inferiors This situation has led to several conflicts between the two groups. Agada (2004, p. 30) states that “the basic features of the caste systems are that groups under this system are fixed and closed in order of superior and inferior groups; members are grouped at birth and remain there for life as there are no provisions for social mobility.” In other words, a caste is a hierarchy of social order that one is born into with no chance of changing group membership
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