Full List of Osu Villages in Imo State
In terms of social interaction and marriage, the Osu Villages have a specific culture that sets them apart from others. This is because they devote these Osu (outsiders) to the Alusis (gods), making them subordinate to the Nwadiala (free-borns). As a result, these communities are known for their ancient caste system practice. Would you be interested in learning about the villages in Imo state that are currently labeled as “osu villages” and still carry on this ancient tradition? Continue reading to learn more about them.
FULL LIST OF OSU VILLAGES IN IMO STATE
This is a collection of Osu Villages in Imo State as at today
UMUOMA
Umuoma is a hamlet in Onicha town in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMOSISI
This is a community in Obizi town in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.
OBOKWU
Obokwu is a village in Obizi town in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUIRE EZIAMA-OBIATO
This is a community in Mbatoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
NNEATO UGWUNEZE
This is a hamlet in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
AZUZIAHI-EZIUDO
This is a community in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.
OKPOFE
This is village in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUAWAM
This is a village in Obizi town in Ezinihhite Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUELUMA
A village in Obizi town in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.
AMAUDI
A village in Obizi town in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.
AZUAHIA
A village in Obizi town in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.
UGWUALA
A village in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUEGBE
A village in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
IKPEM
A village in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
IDEM
A village in Anara community in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
AGUNA
A village in Anara community in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUNEKE
A village in Anara Community in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
DURUNAEZIKE
A village in Anara community in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUOLUWE
A village in Anara community in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUEHIE
A village in Anara community in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUAGWU
A village in Anara community in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
DIALUM
A village in Anara community in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
EBEOKIMMA-DIBIA
A village in Umuduru town in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
EGBE-OWERRE
A village in Umuduru town in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
ISIEBU
A village in Umuduru town in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State
OKOHIA
A village in Osu-Owerre community of Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
UKWUAKWU
A village in Umuduru town in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUAGWUNTA
A village in Umuduru town in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUAGWUUKWU
A village in Umuduru town in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUCHIOMA
A village in Umuduru town in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUDUR
A village in Umuduru town in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUDURU-ORJI
A village in Umuduru town in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUDURU/NNEJI
A village in Umuduru town in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUEBOISE
A village in Umuduru town in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUEGBE
A village in Umuduru town in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUEKE
A village in Umuduru town in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUELEMA
A village in Umuduru town in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUEZEALA
A village in Umuduru town in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUEZEALA-EGBEMA
A village in Umuduru town in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUICHIE
A village in Umuduru town of Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMULUWE-AJIRIJA
This is a village in Umuduru town of Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
UMUOGWUMA-UMUNWAEBO
Umuogwuma-Umunwaebo is a community in Umuduru town of Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT OSU VILLAGES’ CASTE SYSTEM
The Osu caste system is a long-standing custom in some portions of the Igbo ethnic group that dates back to before colonialism. The African Traditional Religion was the regular practice preceding to the colonial period, which resulted in the formation of Christianity in the southern portions of Nigeria (ATR). In pre-colonial Igboland, there were freeborns known as Nwadiala who were considered as masters, and slaves known as Osu who were devoted to serving the community’s deities. Osu also referred to those who had insulted the gods and had been exiled from society to avoid the gods’ wrath.
The Osu caste system’s practice generated bias against the Osu. The freeborns, also known as the Nwadiala, and the Osu were actively discouraged from forming social bonds. In pre-colonial Igboland, persons classified as Osu lived in isolation from the general population. Persons designated as Osu were barred from holding roles in the society, possessing land assets, and other hurdles as a result of their alienation.
This norm also prohibited freeborns, or Nwadialas, from marrying an Osu, as there was a belief that such a union would bring calamity, which including death and sickness. It was also thought that marrying a freeborn and an Osu tainted the freeborn’s bloodline, as such a union would cause the lineage to gain Osu status. Many suggested marriages between freeborns and the Osu pariah community were shattered as a result of this practice.
The development of western education and Christianity in the Igbo states where this practice is practiced, however, has resulted in various trials intended at abolishing the Osu caste system. The Government of Eastern Nigeria passed an ordinance in 1956 that eliminated the Osu caste system and declared Osu people to be free, including their descendants. Regrettably, there was a void in implementation. Fortunately, there have been some documented beneficial outcomes, such as marriages between freeborns and Osu.
