A RELIGIO- ETHICAL STUDY OF OSU

CASTE SYSTEM IN UMUOSU

COMMUNITY OF ISIALA-NGWA NORTH
LGA OF ABIA STATE, NIGERIA
BEING A THESIS SUMBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF ARTS,
ADELEKE UNIVERSITY, EDE, OSUN STATE,
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF ARTS IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES
(RELIGIOUS ETHICS AND PHILOSOPHY)
BY
AMAEGBE, SAMUEL I.
18/0039
 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
 TheOsu Caste System is an ancient practice in Igbo land
that discourages social interaction and participation with
a group of people in the society called Osu (Igbo:
outcast). The ancestors of Osu are believed to be
dedicated to the deities and hence they and their
generations are considered as inferior people, and are
always separated from the Nwadiala or Diala (Igbo: free
born).
 Uchegbulem also states that the Osu caste system has its roots
in the practice of human sacrifice in Igbo Land. What he
meant in this view is that Osu caste system originated from
the time when angry gods started demanding human beings for
sacrifices in place of the usual animals for the atonement of
the evil the people have committed. C. O. Uchegbulem, The
Ethical Implication of Osu Caste System in Igbo Land, 1994
(Unpublished Thesis).
 This create issues of discrimination, stigmatization,
dominance, conflicts, battles, hatred, class division, abuse and
social ostracism which are faced by the Umuosu in Isi Ala Ngwa
North, Abia State.
 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
 The Osu caste structure has evolved over countless generations.
However, because most Igbos see it as an inalienable component of
their culture that cannot be readily changed or adjusted, all
attempts to remove it have proven futile and illusory. In
contemporary times, the difficulty created by this system has
expanded above conventional socio-cultural concerns to include
political, economic, and religious concerns.
 Existing studies on the Osu Caste system have looked at the practice
from the religious perspectives; assessing the dichotomy between
the dominance of Christianity in Igbo-land and their interaction with
the Osu caste system, Spiritual perspectives; mystical evaluation of
the Osu, Socio-cultural perspectives; their place in the society,
Economic perspectives; their financial disposition and also the
Historical perspectives: which tries to pinpoint the very origin of the
system.
 However, few or no research works have been done on
the Ethical perspective of the Osu caste system in Isi-
Ala Ngwa North. Again, principle of international
human rights law act 1948, states that no one shall be
subjected to undue discrimination, denial of socio-
political participation (right to vote and be voted for),
freedom of public speech, denial of social class and
socio-economic restrictions. However, this system
tramples and undermines these fundamental human
rights without logical or resilient claims. Furthermore,
considering the Igbo traditional ethics and the theory
of (Biri Ka Mbiri)” best interpreted as”Live and Lets
Live. It is important to uphold the sanctity of this
theory.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
 What are the philosophical perspectives of Osu caste system
in Umuosu community Isiala-Ngwa North LGA Abia State?
 What is the Socio-Cultural significance of Osu Caste
practices in Umuosu community Isiala-Ngwa North LGA Abia
State
 What are the Socio-religious and political implications of the
Osu caste system in Umuosu community
 What are the implications of the human rights against the
Osu Caste System in Umuosu community Isiala-Ngwa North
LGA Abia State
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
 This study is aimed at critically exploring the Ethical notion
behind the ostracizing and discrimination of the Osu in the
social-cultural settings. Specifically, the study sought to:
 identify the ethical perspectives of Osu caste system in
Umuosu community Isiala-Ngwa North LGA Abia State;
 examine the socio-Cultural significance of Osu Caste practices
in Umuosu community Isiala-Ngwa North LGA Abia State;
 Assess the socio-religious and political implications of the Osu
caste system in Umuosu community Isiala-Ngwa North LGA Abia
State; and
 evaluate the human right implications of Osu caste system in
the Nigerian society at large.
 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
 This study presents a deep philosophical and moral
thoughts and observations over the Osu caste system
in Umuosu community. Also, the study will educate
the subsequent generations on the logical arguments
revolving around the philosophical worldview of Osu
caste system. Furthermore, it serves as basic
fundamentals towards the subsequent research that
will be conducted on similar topic, by providing data
or piece of information for later researchers into the
cosmology of Osu caste system in Umuosu community.
Finally, it engenders a fresh evaluation of some of
these beliefs by subsequent scholars.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
 This research work was conducted in Umuosu Isiala-Nngwa
North Local Government Area of Abia State. While there are
other places in Isiala-Ngwa North were the Osu Caste System
is equally practiced, nonetheless this study was limited to
Umuosu community because of its strategic location which is
close to Okpuala-Ngwa, being the capital territory and also
a site of attraction from other communities towards the
issue of the Osu caste system.
 The researcher gives attention to the ethical challenges
(idea, perception and socio-cultural worldview), and socio-
religious implications (marriage, chieftaincy titles, political
aspirations, economic, social classes, and culture)
METHODOLOGY
 The study adopted qualitative research method which studies
uncountable issues such as moral and philosophical behaviour of a
particular people, or spirituality of a religious denominations or
social classes. However, it is not possible to conveniently measure
the degree of the religiosity of an individual. Qualitative method
will be used to focus on obtaining data through open-ended oral
interview and conversational communication. This method is not
only about “what” people think but also “why” they think so.
Therefore, the qualitative research method allows for in-depth
and further probing and questioning of respondents based on their
response, where the researcher also tries to understand their
motivation and feelings. Hence, the primary source of the study
was be derived from one-on-one interviews, non-participant
observation and administration of oral interrogations.
 The indigence and prominent sons and daughters of the land
(Nwadiala), which included chiefs, traditional priests and
priestesses, ministers of God, old men and women and the Osu
groups were interviewed for the study. Since the data are unscripted
they will be transcribed and interpreted accordingly.
 Analytical research design will equally be applied which deals with
critical evaluation of facts or information already available. This
method will be used in critical assessment of data that will be
gathered by the researcher on the area of the ethical worldview of
the Osu caste system in Umuosu community, which less or no work
has been done on. Hence, this research method will approached
with systematic investigation of issues concerning the intent
problems associated with Osu caste system.
 Furthermore, the secondary data will be drawn from consultation of
Books and internet, and journal articles. The data gathered will be
analysed using the theory of “Egbe bere ugo bere” theory.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
 Egbe bere ugo bere Indigenous Theory: Egbe bere ugo bere
is a maxim or a theory by the Igbo speaking people of
eastern Nigeria. It represents an aspect of their world view
especially their communal spirit. This maxim or theory is a
combination of three words, namely, “Egbe” “bere” and
“ugo” which means “eagle”, “perch” and “kite”. Thus, as a
maxim or theoretical expression it is literally translated to
mean, “Live and let live.” For a clearer understanding of the
maxim, it is usually better to state it in its complete
proverbial rendition - “egbe bere ugo bere, nke si ibeya
ebela, Nku kwaa ya”. This is translated to mean; “let the
eagle perch and let the kite perch, any one that begrudges
the other form perching, let its wings break”.
 The implication of this theory for the Igbo
traditional thought system, is that, the world is a
large place that can accommodate everyone,
therefore, no person or group should deny the
other the right to existence. It is a principle that
propagates harmonious coexistence between and
among existent entities, groups, peoples of
different tongues, languages, tribes, and race.
FINDINGS OF THE STUDY

 ETHICAL IMPLICATION:
 The sudy established that Osu Caste System in
Umuosu community poses the ethical challenge of
dehumanising the Osu as they are being
dedicated to the deities and thereafter, are
stigmatised, discriminated against, subjugate and
force psychologically against their wish to live a
life of a social recluse in the very society they
belong.
FINDINGS CONT.
 RELIGIOUS IMPLICATION:
 The system exert social inequality, segregation
and division which religiously is against God’s
instituted order of equality of all humans as all
are made in the image of God.
 POLITICAL IMPLICATION:
 Politically,
as the Osu is regarded as being inferior
beings, they are overlooked in political matters
within the community.
FINDINGS CONT.
 IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS:
 The study further observed that as the Osu caste
system in Umuosu advocates for the inequity of
rights among the Osu and the Nwadiala, it goes
against the human rights of a Nigeria citizen
which asserts that no citizen of Nigeria shall be
subjected to any disability or deprivation merely
by reason of the circumstances of his birth.
CONCLUSION
 In conclusion, the Osu caste system as practiced
in Umuosu community of Isiala-Ngwa North Local
Government Area, Abia State, poses ethical,
religious, political, and human right challenges.
Therefore, there is need to remedy the situation
by restructuring and reforming the socio-cultural
agenda of the Osu caste system, as it presents
proposition of structural agendas for change
toward the system.
RECOMMENDATIONS
 The study recommends the following:
 TheUmuosu community and the Igbos at large,
especially those that practice this obnoxious system,
to annihilate the idea of division caused by Osu
caste system and there is need to import the idea of
togetherness, oneness and unity.
 Those who practice Osu caste system should
embrace the theory of Egbe bere ugo bere. With
this, they will also come to the understanding that
segregating or dehumanizing ones fellow human
being is evil as it hinders the societal proliferation
and development.
 Sensitizationshould serve as a vital tool to
teach people how to relate to one another
in the society. Many Igbo people who
practice this act are ignorant of the
implication of what they are doing, owning
to the fact that in most places this
tradition was handed over to them by their
great grandparents.
THANK
YOU