JOURNALS

ABSTRACT

In Igbo land which is situated in the Eastern part of Nigeria, there exists a social stratification into which people are born, (the free-born and the outcasts). Two caste-like systems exist in this part of the world: ohu (slave) and Osu (outcast). This paper examines the implications of Galatians 3:26-29 on the osu system in Igbo land. Galatians 3:26-29 is an eloquent rebuke by Apostle Paul to believers who are not acting consistently with the truth of the gospel. Conversion of Gentiles posed a problem for believers from the Jewish heritage. The question in their minds was, were the promises of God for the Gentiles also? Paul tried to correct this notion by enlightening them that both Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free, women and men are included in the term of the Abrahamic covenant. Our Church leaders preached against discrimination but no concerted effort is made towards its eradication. They preached from the Bible passage which says we are all equal before God, there is no Jew nor gentile, bond nor free in Gal. 3:28 and that one should not esteem himself better than another. But how applicable is this to the osu/ohu (outcast) system? This sickness has sapped deep into the mentality of the Igbo. We are very religious and of course, the most zealous Christians found anywhere on earth, yet, plagued by our inability to eradicate the osu/ohu system. This study adopted a descriptive approach aimed at elucidating that Gal. 3:26-29 is against the practice of discrimination and inequality as manifested in the practice of osu (outcast) in Igbo land. This paper discovered that the practice of osu caste system is barbaric, has great adverse effects and needs to be eradicated among the Igbo. Paul explicitly states in his letter to the church at Galatia that men and women, slaves and free are spiritual equals as the children of God.