‘My tale, a cry against age-old Igbo caste system’

Chinedu Enechi is author of ‘Ifechidere’, a novella. A graduate of Philosophy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and presently a master’s student studying Political and Social Philosophy at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, he talks about why he wrote about an age-old caste system in Igbo land and more. Excerpts:     Bookshelf: Why did […]

Chinedu Enechi is author of ‘Ifechidere’, a novella. A graduate of Philosophy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and presently a master’s student studying Political and Social Philosophy at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, he talks about why he wrote about an age-old caste system in Igbo land and more. Excerpts:  

 

Bookshelf: Why did you decide to write ‘Ifechidere’?

 

Chinedu Enechi: ‘Ifechidere’ is part of my late mother’s early life experience. I wrote it because of her.

 

Bookshelf: You must have had other story ideas roaming in your mind over the years. Why was it necessary to write ‘Ifechidere’ at the time?

 

Enechi: The story was written to expose the ill behaviours of the rich to the poor and also the rigorous effect of the so-called osu/olu caste system, which, up to this contemporary time has affected relationships that would have led to marriage among people from Eastern Nigeria. The narrative is aimed at exposing the dangers of the tradition.

 

Bookshelf: Being that your mum struggled with such an experience, how were you able to draw a line between that and your work of fiction?

 

Enechi: I drew a lot from my late mum’s experience. Though I wasn’t there, I was able to imagine what was left untold by her. I did the same thing with the osu/olu caste system. It wasn’t an easy task.

 

Bookshelf: What do you hope to achieve with the novella?

 

Enechi: Restoration of African socialization and eradication of osu/olu caste system in this contemporary world. That’s the purpose of the book

 

Bookshelf: What’s the caste system all about?

 

Enechi: Osu/olu caste system dates back to the slave trade era. It simply means slave or property of the gods. In some places, both osu and olu can be used interchangeably. In some cases, Osu refers to people owned by the gods, called ndi-iyi in Igbo tradition, which means people of the gods. At the time, stronger villages or communities conquered weaker ones, kidnap the people and sell as slaves. At some point, these people run off to the gods of the land for protection and shelter, which scares off their imposters. So the gods protect and care for them. It’s just like in the contemporary world where we run to the almighty God for protection.

 

In some instances, some people are sold as slaves by their poor families. So, those that aren’t Osu/olu (the freeborn) stay away from the slaves to avoid contamination, which could be in the form of disease or stigma. They see themselves as the kings and queens and true sons and daughters of their community.     

 

In some communities or villages, the victims who seek the abolition of the osu/olu system end up forming their own community. This has really caused a lot of harm to the young generation. It’s sad that our elders believe in upholding the case system, but for me, it doesn’t exist. We are all born from a woman and created by the same supernatural being. We are all  human beings with values and need to treat each other with love and respect.

 

Bookshelf: Many people, particularly those not from Eastern Nigeria, only have an idea about this and think it’s something that happened a long time ago among the Igbo. To what extent does this system still operate today?

 

Enechi: It’s still being practiced in some Eastern states like Enugu. Some places would claim it doesn’t exist, but when the issue of marriage comes up, there’s discrimination. Many good relationships are threatened because of it now. The worst part is, some of the youth believe in it and so do clergy men.

 

One of my Anambra friends said once in a gathering that his father forbids him to marry from such a family, whether he is alive or dead and the young man keeps to his father’s wishes till today. Aside marriage, this discrimination also plays out when giving traditional titles.

 

Bookshelf: Your central character, ‘Ifechidere’, was able to rise above the stigma and discrimination…

 

Enechi: Ifechidere stands as an inspiration and model to people in such a predicament. It’s a story of hope.

 

Bookshelf: What are you working on at the moment?

 

Enechi: I’m working on two stories I hope to publish this year, they both explore relationships.