The Unconquered Grounds: Christian Response to the Traditional Religious Discrimination against the Osu Caste in Igbo Land, Nigeria

Ernest O. Anyacho,Eunice I. Anyacho

doi:10.13189/sa.2016.040802

Abstract

The traditional religion of the Igbo of Nigeria stratified the society into two major groups namely the Diala and the Osu. The former enjoys every right and privilege in the community while the latter has limited acceptance. There are also other areas of social inequality which the paper addresses as social stigmatization that make the so-called Osu second class citizens in Igbo land. All these are based on Igbo traditional religious beliefs and/or superstitions. The continued existence of these stigmatizations in the twenty-first century and in the land where Christianity has stayed for more than a century is a major of the study. The paper, therefore, investigates into different dimensions of the discrimination and inequality against the Osu even after they have been converted to Christianity. It further looks at the reason why these have remained unconquered grounds when writers claim that Christianity conquered Igbo land many decades ago. The paper presents an ecumenical model that could be explored in handling the delicate issues so that conflicts could be avoided while trying to make the Osu assert their full fundamental rights in Igbo land.

Highlights

African culture was influenced by many change agents
Nobody would want to break her prohibition for fear of unpleasant consequences .it is this strong hold of the Igbo traditional religion on the people that still sustains the osu-caste system .The above fear is not much of what the earth-goddess, left alone will do but more of the punishment many in the community, majority being Christians will do to them by ostracizing them, disowning, denying the inheritance right and dragging their name into the osu-caste
We recommend ecumenical/ inter-religious dialogue as a principle for fighting the caste system. This involves calling a meeting of all the religious leaders, all the traditional rulers, the Ohaneze, the opinion leaders and leaders of thought in Igbo land, the title societies, Igbo intellectuals and the legislators from the Houses of Assembly of the five South-eastern States of Nigeria that make up Igbo-land

Summary

Introduction

African culture was influenced by many change agents. These agents keep on changing both the material and non-material culture. Nobody would want to break her prohibition for fear of unpleasant consequences .it is this strong hold of the Igbo traditional religion on the people that still sustains the osu-caste system .The above fear is not much of what the earth-goddess, left alone will do but more of the punishment many in the community, majority being Christians will do to them by ostracizing them, disowning, denying the inheritance right and dragging their name into the osu-caste.

Ecumenical Approach

Conclusions