The ''Nze na ỌzO society (pronounced Nzeh nah Orzoh), is the highest and most important spiritual religious and social grouping in the Igbo society of Southeast Nigeria.Meek, C. (1937). Law and Authority in a Nigerian Tribe, Pub. LondonBasden, G. (1921). Among the Ibos of Nigeria, Pub Nonsuch, p. 211-213 Initiation into the aristocratic Nze na Ozo society marks the person as nobility. To become Ozo implies that the title holder is now an ‘Nze’ implying living spirit and an ancestor.Jeffreys, M. (1951). The Winged Solar Disk, or Ibo Ichi Scarification, Journal of the International African Institute, Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 93-111 One then becomes the moral conscience of the community and is seen to be a fair adjudicator in cases of disputes within the community.Agbakoba, J., and Nwauche, E. (2006), African Conceptions of Justice, Responsibility and Punishment, Cambrian Law Review, Vol. 73, pp. 73- 84 In times of crisis, most Igbo communities will rely on Ozo members for leadership.Aniagolu, E. (2010). Ozo: A Story of an African Knighthood [Paperback]. Pub. Griot Press USA, Generally, in most Igbo communities, only holders of Ichi title may become candidates for Ozo title.Jeffreys, M. (1951). The Winged Solar Disk, or Ibo Ichi Scarification, Journal of the International African Institute, Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 93-111. Anthropologists Jeffreys, M. (1951). The Winged Solar Disk, or Ibo Ichi Scarification, Journal of the International African Institute, Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 93-111. have seen cases of women with Ichi scarification, although only men are amongst the Ozo, a title which accords the individual extreme prestige, power, and influence in the community. In most parts of Igboland, there are generally two major classes of Ozo. The first is nnukwu Ozo (big Ozo). Within nnukwu Ozo, there are three grades consisting of Dunu, Dim and Ezeana. In the second class of Ozo referred to as obele Ozo (small Ozo), again there are generally three grades consisting of Eyisi, Ezuzo and Okpala.Ogbukagu, I.K. (1997). Traditional Igbo beliefs and Practices, Pub. Novelty, , p. 75. It must however be recognised that until about 1930, nnukwu Ozo had a fourth (and highest) grade of Ozo referred to as Igwe (Sky) which only the Eze Nri, the spiritual leader of the Ozo system held. This has however changed with most Igbo communities being led by a senior Ozo holder referred to as Igwe or Eze. The different grades of Ozo are not necessarily distinct based on nomenclature alone. For example, while Ozo Okpala is regarded as obele Ozo '' , the position is usually taken by the first son in a lineage who by taking the title becomes responsible for arbitrating internal family disputes.Odukwe, M. (1999). The Okpala Institution in Onitsha: 1900-1999, PhD Thesis, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
The Nze na Ozo society (pronounced Nzeh nah Orzoh), is the highest and most important spiritual religious and social grouping in the Igbo society of Southeast Nigeria.Meek, C. (1937). Law and Authority in a Nigerian Tribe, Pub. LondonBasden, G. (1921). Among the Ibos of Nigeria, Pub Nonsuch, p. 211-213 Initiation into the aristocratic Nze na Ozo society marks the person as nobility. To become Ozo implies that the title holder is now an ‘Nze’ implying living spirit and an ancestor.Jeffreys, M. (1951). The Winged Solar Disk, or Ibo Ichi Scarification, Journal of the International African Institute, Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 93-111 One then becomes the moral conscience of the community and is seen to be a fair adjudicator in cases of disputes within the community.Agbakoba, J., and Nwauche, E. (2006), African Conceptions of Justice, Responsibility and Punishment, Cambrian Law Review, Vol. 73, pp. 73- 84 In times of crisis, most Igbo communities will rely on Ozo members for leadership.Aniagolu, E. (2010). Ozo: A Story of an African Knighthood [Paperback]. Pub. Griot Press USA, Generally, in most Igbo communities, only holders of Ichi title may become candidates for Ozo title.Jeffreys, M. (1951). The Winged Solar Disk, or Ibo Ichi Scarification, Journal of the International African Institute, Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 93-111. Anthropologists Jeffreys, M. (1951). The Winged Solar Disk, or Ibo Ichi Scarification, Journal of the International African Institute, Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 93-111. have seen cases of women with Ichi scarification, although only men are amongst the Ozo, a title which accords the individual extreme prestige, power, and influence in the community. In most parts of Igboland, there are generally two major classes of Ozo. The first is nnukwu Ozo (big Ozo). Within nnukwu Ozo, there are three grades consisting of Dunu, Dim and Ezeana. In the second class of Ozo referred to as obele Ozo (small Ozo), again there are generally three grades consisting of Eyisi, Ezuzo and Okpala.Ogbukagu, I.K. (1997). Traditional Igbo beliefs and Practices, Pub. Novelty, , p. 75. It must however be recognised that until about 1930, nnukwu Ozo had a fourth (and highest) grade of Ozo referred to as Igwe (Sky) which only the Eze Nri, the spiritual leader of the Ozo system held. This has however changed with most Igbo communities being led by a senior Ozo holder referred to as Igwe or Eze. The different grades of Ozo are not necessarily distinct based on nomenclature alone. For example, while Ozo Okpala is regarded as obele Ozo , the position is usually taken by the first son in a lineage who by taking the title becomes responsible for arbitrating internal family disputes.Odukwe, M. (1999). The Okpala Institution in Onitsha: 1900-1999, PhD Thesis, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
R
''Nze na ỌzO
Nze na Ozo
D
''