Major traditional rulers in the South-east region
have announced date for the abolition of the controversial Osu caste system.
Targeted also for abolition on December 28, 2018,
are the Ohu, Ume as well as the
Osu caste system which have taken roots in
different parts of Igboland.
The abolition will take place at the Nri Palace in
Anambra State.
Regent of the ancient Nri Kingdom, Prince Ikenna
Onyesoh, in a statement issued on Tuesday
said there would be far-reaching consequences for those wishing to continue the
obnoxious practice after the symbolic exercise.
According to
the Regent, "On December, 28, 2018, more stringent spiritual implications
will be pronounced from Ikpo Eze-Nri
against such devaluation of mankind after an extensive spiritual
abrogation exercise.”
He said it would be “spiritually suicidal for
anyone to continue to hold unto these beliefs and practices after that pronouncement
on December 28 as the oldest ‘Ofor’ (scepter of authority) in Igbo land shall
be deployed for such pronouncements."
In the statement also, Nri traditional rulers said
they were set for the abolition, and effect reparation for the ancient
practice.
The Osu caste system has stigmatised some sections
of communities in the South-east region, depriving them of access to social
interaction and marriages with the belief that any ‘free born’ that marries an Osu
defiles the family.
This obnoxious act however leads to investigations by
elders before any marriage is contracted between two families, especially when
they are from different communities.
The Osu is allegedly dedicated to deity (Alusi) while
Ohu is said to have inherited slavery as a socio-cultural placement in perpetuity.
According to the Chairman Of Eri Dynasty
Traditional Rulers Forum,
His Imperial Majesty, Eze Nkeli Nzekwe Kelly (The
Great King Kelly &
Okalakwu Igbariam Ancient Kingdom) stated: "The
whole world needs to witness what is about to happen in our land on December
28, 2018, “because such thing has never happened before.”
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