The Osu Concept In Igboland

Why is the Osu caste system, a form of discrimination, still deep-seated in Igboland? Are the civil and human rights of the Osu not being violated? How does the system affect global perception on Igbo culture and her civilization? The Osu Caste Discrimination in Igboland: Impact on Igbo Culture and Civilization, which is sequel to The Osu Caste System in Igboland: A Challenge for Nigerian Democracy, describes the pain, grief and agony of those groaning under the Osu caste system in Igboland. The system ascribes an inferior Osu status to the group and limits their social interaction, marriage contracts and relationship of love with the Diala. Consequently, their daily lives are tormented by the associated Osu stigma, which hinders their social mobility and progress. Any person reading this book should reflect critically on the issue and join hands to dismantle the system for justice, fairness and social progress.

Why is the Osu caste system, a form of discrimination, still deep-seated in Igboland? Are the civil and human rights of the Osu not being violated? How does the system affect global perception on Igbo culture and her civilization? The Osu Caste Discrimination in Igboland: Impact on Igbo Culture and Civilization, which is sequel to The Osu Caste System in Igboland: A Challenge for Nigerian Democracy, describes the pain, grief and agony of those groaning under the Osu caste system in Igboland. The system ascribes an inferior Osu status to the group and limits their social interaction, marriage contracts and relationship of love with the Diala. Consequently, their daily lives are tormented by the associated Osu stigma, which hinders their social mobility and progress. Any person reading this book should reflect critically on the issue and join hands to dismantle the system for justice, fairness and social progress.

This book is written to create awareness and see if adequate interpretation would be given to certain phenomena and calamities created by the vagaries of nature and induced by spirits, Agwu inclusive, and suggest how they can be resolved. To do this, Agwu has examined the concept in all its tendencies and ramifications. It tries to explain the relationship between Agwu and other creatures from the sources of life-Supreme Being-to the least inanimate object. The moral standard set by Agwu to its worshippers has been a masterpiece incentive and also a source of inspiration to ordinary mortals who watch with admiration the special Agwu elect.

It is the conviction of Sacramentum Caritatis as well as the fathers of the Second Vatican Council that active participation at Eucharistic celebration cannot be easily disassociated from active involvement in the Church's mission in the world. This present study in the light of the foregoing presuppositions, exposes some of such challenges confronting the Afro-Igbo Christian, with special focus on the menace of the osu caste system, and proposes ways towards its eradication. One of such ways remains strengthening the Eucharistic celebration through the process of the inculturation.

If there is no religion in the world, the world would more or less become a jungle. The world will be inhuman. Religion touches all aspects of human life. Identifying God's will in our world today has become a major problem for many religions of the world. In the past, in Igbo Traditional Religion, human sacrifice as well as the killing of twins were practised. For the Igbo traditionalists then, that was the will of the deities and equally not against God's will. But following the encounter of Igbo Traditional Religion with Christianity these are no longer practised. Misinterpretation of God's will by some religions of the world has given rise to religious violence, religious extremism, fanaticism and terrorism we are experiencing today in the world. For these problems to be resolved, it is pertinent that the study of various religions be taken seriously. This study should be aiming at better understanding, co-existence, respect for one another and frequent inter-religious dialogues among the various religions of the world. When this is achieved, the believers of various religions would realize that many are worshipping one God and their desire is to communicate with Him, although they may approach Him differently.