To address discrimination against persons, the traditional leaders of Oguta, in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, on Sunday, abolished the age-long outcaste (Ohu) system, which had been a source of social stigma and marginalisation among survivors.
The Osu and Ohu caste system had, for decades, considered persons born into such families as lesser humans and restricted them from holding traditional positions or marrying into what is seen as free-born families.
It had resulted in an unspoken war between those dubbed outcastes and those who claimed to be freeborn for decades.
The people led by Chief Nduka Oduenyi, the Ogana (spokesman/assistant) of the traditional ruler of Oguta, Eze Nnani Eze-Eyiche, proclaimed the abolition on behalf of the traditional ruler in Oguta on Sunday.
Oduenyi said the abolition was achieved through concerted and courageous efforts of the Oguta Ohu Eradication Dialogue Group — a coalition of distinguished sons and daughters of the ancient town.
Oduenyi said: “Respected community leaders, scholars, professionals, clergy, and traditional title holders, including the Ogbuagus and Oshijis, among others, sustained the dialogue, advocacy, and community engagements that paved the way for consensus on the abolition.
“The long-standing Ohu caste system — a practice widely regarded as discriminatory and inconsistent with human dignity no longer exists in Oguta going forward. Today marks a historic moment of renewal and unity for the Oguta community. For generations, the Ohu caste system perpetuated social division, stigma, and injustice”.
He said Oguta people acknowledged that the practice discriminated against people, saying “it marginalised individuals and families, restricting social interaction, marriage, and participation in community affairs.
“Many have long viewed its continuation as a stain on Oguta’s collective conscience — one that contradicts both modern values and the core principles of human equality”, Ogana stated.
Further, he explained that the implication of the abolition is that sons and daughters of Oguta can now freely inter-marry with no one ever referring to anyone again as an outcaste.
He thanked members of the OOEDG for their efforts and patience in ensuring that the backward practice was brought to an end in the community.
On his part, the chairman of OOEDG, Chief Mike Ogbonna, expressed joy that the dream of abolishing the controversial system that brought discrimination and pain was finally achieved, though it took long.
Ogbonna said, “It took the efforts of so many of us, both in the diaspora and people in Nigeria, and also in Oguta, to achieve this. This issue has transcended generations, and it is not a small feat to see it happen.
“The outcaste system has seen hearts broken, people commit suicide, denied some rights like taking traditional titles, all because some people in the old days tagged them outcastes.
“It is a system that, as educated people, we consider abominable and therefore came together to insist that it should not go on in this 21st century. I say a huge thank you to all Oguta sons and daughters. If this is all we achieved for our town in this generation, then we are fulfilled”, a joyful Ogbonna said.
A Catholic priest, who is also a member of the OOEDG, Prof. Lawrence Okwuosa, commended the abolition, adding that it had effectively stopped the caste system in Oguta.
The Priest said, “With the public proclamation, all forms of caste distinction have been abolished. Every Oguta indigene is equal before God and is now equal before man. Today, they are officially recognised as free, equal, and fully integrated into the life of the community.
He said that the discriminatory caste system was saddening, and called for the abolition of all other forms of discrimination and marginalisation across Igbo land.
The Priest noted that many Igbos travel to other climes to marry and queried how the caste discriminated against their own people.
Prof Okwuosa explained that survivors of the outcaste system were merely offsprings of those whose forebears gave them out to families in exchange for either money or other reasons.
He said, “When these people can no longer repay the loans, that child is now seen as sold and automatically becomes the owner’s slave, including their generations,” he explained.
Further, he appealed to other kings in Igbo land to take the bold step and join in eradicating all forms of caste systems that have held their people in bondage for decades.
The abolition proclamation exercise had in attendance representatives from the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Lucius Ugorji, represented by Rev Fr Basil Nze, the Anglican Bishop of Oguta Diocese, Bishop Chijoke Otti, represented by Mr Okwaraeze, and other religious leaders.
Also in attendance were traditional title holders and representatives of various kindreds in Oguta, and prominent sons and daughters of the ancient town from across the world.
PUNCH.
