Johnkennedy Uzoma, Owerri
The long-existed Osu Caste System, in Abba community, in Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo State would soon be a thing of the past as the members of the community have resolved to put a stop to the practice.
The community will, on December 27, put a seal on the Osu, Ohu/Ume Caste system in the area.
The caste, a social stigmatisation system, which had bogged down the Igbo race for centuries, segregates individuals on the basis of birth.
It is an ancient practice in Igboland which discourages social interaction and marriage with a group of persons called Osu and the freeborn called Nwadiala.
The Osu, people said to be dedicated to deities, are considered as inferior beings to freeborn.
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The ceremony, which will also culminate in the celebration of Abba Day, is being held under the auspices of Abba Ama Ano Community Development Union (AACDU), led by Chief Paul Ozigbo and Coordinated by Barr. Stan Chike Ofoma.
The journey to the epic ceremony, which started on November 2, with a sensitisation programme to all the four autonomous communities of Umuokwara, Umudurunna, Ekitiafor and Ogwuaga, and the daughters of Abba (Umuada), culminated on December 3, with the rites of abrogation performed by the traditional title holders (Ndi Nze na Ozo and Oji Ofo) and witnessed by a delegation from Nri Ancient Kingdom, said to be sphere of religious and political influence in Igboland.
A statement signed by the Chairman of traditional title holders, (Ndi Nze na Ozo), Dr. CKC Anyanjo and the Public Relations Officer, Dr. Okechukwu Akogu, described the rites as an ‘uphill task’, but expressed satisfaction that they were able to pull the process through despite all the challenges littered along the way.
It said, “The culmination of this whole process into the epoch and historic abolition proclamation by Onye Ishi Nze Abba amano (Nze ( Dr) CKC Anyanjo), at 4:35pm of 3/12/2019, after a sixteen cannon gun shorts and its reinforcement by Ndi Oji Ofo and another 21 cannon shorts in the four autonomous communities between 5:00p.m. to 6:15p.m. in ala Abba was symbolic – bringing to finality the end of Osu, Ume and Ohu cast system in Abba clan.
While the people rejoice over the abolition and open heaven of blessings upon Ala Abba and Umu Abba, he advised the people to adhere strictly to the terms of the abolition.
Speaking on the epic event, traditional ruler of Ekitiafor, Ekiti II, Eze Ononenyi Uzoma, said that it was the agreement of all the people of Abba that the system must come to an end, while describing it as a encouragement to other communities in Igbo land that still practices the system to end it because it has no place in modern times.
Queen Mother of Ekitiafor, Her Royal Majesty, Ugoeze Uzoka, who spearheaded the whole process, described the practice as obnoxious and vexatious, stressing that it is incongruous for any person to see another as an outcast, when there is no outward sign or insignia on the face designating them as outcast and others as freeborn.
She said, “For the people of Abba, history beckons. I am convinced that with this whole process, the system will be finally laid to rest in Abba.
“I congratulate all the Nze na Ozos, all the title holders, Abba indigenes both at home and in the Diaspora, for pushing this process through and I know that by the end of the day, the names of all those who played one role or the other in the abrogation of this inhuman and infamous system will be etched in gold.”
The star of the occasion was a little girl, Miss Obianuju Nnanna, who represented all the daughters of Abba (umuada) and the virgins of the land and performed their role in the abrogation process.