Women in the Quandary of Osu Caste System: A Reflection on Ahmed Yerima’s Ala

The resurgence of harmful practices in Nigeria and Africa in general has significantly hampered the growth of the female folks physically and psychologically. Women are victims of widowhood rites, domestic violence, early marriages and other discriminatory practices like the Osu caste system. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent of psychological and physical damage tradition has meted to women in some parts of the country. Ahmed Yerima’s Alatersely shows the heightened otherness of women in the face of restrictive traditional practices appropriated by the alleged custodians of our common heritage. Adopting the post-colonial theory, this paper examines the socio-political and socio-cultural spaces of women in the Osu caste. This theory is useful in enlightening women on their predicaments as slaves or inferior in the society. The paper finds out that the exploitation of women and empowerment of men were laid down by tradition and can also be corrected by tradition. The research concludes that, Ahmed Yerima’s Ala is a clarion call on the women to emancipate themselves in the face of the exploitative Osu tradition.

Keywords: Post-Colonial Theory Osu Caste System Otherness Quandaries Tradition

Authors

• Josephat Adoga Odey
• Patrick Odey Ogar
• Ojima Sunday Nathaniel

Department of English and Literary Studies
University of Calabar, Calabar.