Two lovers have reportedly taken their lives after their parents allegedly refused to give their consent for them to get married to each other due to the fact that one of them is Osu.
The incident happened in Okija, Anambra state.
The Osu caste system is an ancient practice in Igboland that discourages marriage and relationships with a group of people called Osu (outcast).
According to Igbo history, Osu which means outcasts in the Igbo language, are people who were dedicated to the deities of the ancient Igboland. Their lineage and generations are considered as abominations and inferior beings and are usually separated from the Nwadiala or diala.
Nwadiala or Diala are a group of people in Igboland who are not dedicated to deities in the ancient Igboland and their generations and linage are said to be better than the Osu. This group of people is not allowed to marry inter-marry.
Before their death, the couple left a written note which reads:
Racism in disguise…
How can we separate after 6 solid years of dating and getting so use to each other? how???Is it a crime to be held from Okija Anambra state? We both are from Okija in Ihiala local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria. We have always wanted to spend the rest of lives together, we’ve always planned our future together. We have always struggled to secure a better future, now that things are gradually turning around for us, they’re saying we can’t get married, all because of Osu and Ohu Caste, all because of an ancient belief that has been abolished in other villages. The people of Okija chose to live in the past, all as a result of ignorance. God created everyone equally so why would human beings discriminate just because of the ignorance of our forefathers? Why will we keep sufferering for what we know nothing about, for something we didn’t do??? Why do we still chose to stay in the dark? This is racism in disguise, yet we want to be treated equally in the white man’s land, charity they say begins at home.
We made up our minds to end it all because we can’t stay without each other. Ndi Okija, say No to Osu Caste!!!
See the note below.
