An Analysis of Our Current Age of Azi
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As an essential add on to the article about the four ages of the world, it is imperative that we over stand the current age that we are in called Uga Azi which started in the year 4320 AX (79 Gregorian time) and ends 6480 AX (2239 Gregorian time).
Uga Azi is a time of severe spiritual and moral decline, where the world is metaphorically and literally "upside down." This age represents the nadir of human consciousness, a period of spiritual descent where ignorance, greed, and moral decay dominate the world. In contrast to the earlier ages that embraced enlightenment, harmony, and higher states of consciousness (though degrading as time went on), Uga Azi stands as a stark contrast. It is marked by the degradation of values, a loss of sacred wisdom, and a rampant pursuit of materialism and destruction. Where a nature was revered and nurtures, ߟߐߚߌߚߏ lɔxixo, acts against nature, dominate.
Pessimism and Crass Ignorance:
This age is defined by a widespread sense of hopelessness and negativity. The spiritual awareness that once guided the gbɛtɔ (authentic human) behavior is replaced by a shallow understanding of life. People become disconnected from their higher selves and the wisdom of the ages, leading to reckless and destructive behavior.
Desecration of Natural Harmony
One of the central aspects of Uga Azi is the complete disregard for the natural order. In this age, the environment and the sacred balance between humans and nature are violated through greed, exploitation, and mindless consumption. Sacred lands, once revered, are desecrated, and the harmony between the material and spiritual realms is disrupted.
Greed and Conquest
Uga Azi is referred to as the age of unimaginable greed. Materialism and the desire for personal gain drive human actions, leading to wars, conquest, and the exploitation of resources. Instead of striving for collective growth and enlightenment, people in this age are focused on accumulating wealth and power at the expense of others.
The pursuit of deeper spiritual truths is abandoned in favor of superficial pleasures. Vanity and self-interest reign, as people become obsessed with appearances, status, and fleeting material gains. This focus on the external and the trivial leads to a society devoid of meaning and substance
Descent of Spiritual Awareness
In this age, spiritual awareness reaches its lowest point. Sacred knowledge, once cherished and preserved, is now disregarded or forgotten entirely. Rituals and practices that once connected people to the divine are either ignored or treated as meaningless traditions. Cultural languages are pushed to the side and made to be not that significant. This descent into spiritual ignorance manifests in the rampant rise of crime, evil, and chaos, as moral and ethical structures break down.
Crime, Evil, and Destruction
Uga Azi is characterized by the rise of evil, both in human actions and in the broader environment. The ignorance and selfishness that pervade this age give way to crime, violence, and societal decay. Pestilence and our current anthropogenic impact (greenhouse emissions, kwk) on the environment are believed to be consequences of this moral and spiritual collapse.
ߖߌ߯ߡߊߜ߳ߟߐߣ Jǐmãkplɔn: The Consciousness of Ignorance, Vanity and Degeneracy
A key concept in understanding Uga Azi is that of Jǐmãkplɔn, which describes the consciousness of ignorance, degeneracy and vanity that dominates this age. A general definition of this word in the Ajã language is: rude, impolite, born/raised uneducated; degenerate, destructive with no regard; born without knowledge; badly educated. It literally breaks down to jǐ - birth born mã - negation, not, without and kplɔn - knowledge. The Ajã believe that the vast majority of humans are born with a certain knowledge of the divine already infused in them, especially since that is their source. However, the Jǐmãkplɔn does not display or acknowledge that.
Jǐmãkplɔn represents the individual and collective disregard for wisdom and sacred knowledge. It is the shallow and superficial mindset that thrives in Uga Azi, where people prioritize material wealth and personal gain over spiritual growth and enlightenment. The ignorance of Jǐmãkplɔn clouds the mind, making it difficult for people to connect with their higher selves or seek deeper truths. As a result, the society in Uga Azi is spiritually blind, consumed by vanity, and driven by short-term desires that lead to long-term destruction. One of the most dangerous things about Azi is that the Jǐmãkplɔn is rewarded for their self and communal destruction. One of many examples is the state of hip hop and how that destruction is spreading among the black American youth.
The World Turned Upside Down
In Uga Azi, the world is said to be "literally upside down." This metaphor points to the complete inversion of values and spiritual principles. What was once revered and respected is now ignored or treated with contempt. Wanton acts of wickedness and destruction are normalized, while goodness, compassion, and wisdom are marginalized and even frowned upon.
This inversion of values extends to all aspects of life, from relationships to governance to how people interact with the environment. The balance that once existed between humans and the spiritual realm is shattered, and chaos ensues as a result.
The Spiritual Challenge of Uga Azi
Although Uga Azi is an age of darkness, it is also seen as a necessary part of the cyclical nature of existence. Just as day follows night, the descent into ignorance and destruction is seen as a prelude to eventual renewal and rebirth. The spiritual challenge of Uga Azi is to recognize the darkness and seek to overcome it through self-awareness, personal growth, and a return to sacred wisdom. This is a special challenge to those within Afrikan spiritual traditions, especially the priesthood, who possess the key to cushioning the blow of Azi. The souls that incarnate during this age are believed to be tasked with great spiritual trials. Those who possess the capacity to transcend the ignorance of the age are seen as light-bearers, individuals who can help guide others out of the darkness. Again, this is what is expected of our priesthoods. These souls are often drawn to lifestyles and philosophies that encourage ecological consciousness, spiritual awakening, and the restoration of balance. So this is a plus side of this age.
Moving Beyond Uga Azi
From the Vodún perspective, this latter stage of Azi that we are immersed in is seen as the prelude to a new beginning, a period of renewal that follows the decay. As the world reaches the height of its destruction, seeds of wisdom, compassion, and spiritual growth are sown, preparing the way for a future age of enlightenment. In Vodún cosmology, the journey through Uga Azi is both a test and an opportunity. It challenges us as Afrikans to confront our darkest aspects and to seek out the light within. Being open to the lessons of this age and working towards a return to sacred principles can help humanity ultimately transcend the chaos and restore harmony to the world. We must be adamant and diligent in our efforts of order restoration. ReAfrikanization is the key to regain our minds and develop our people intergenerationally to properly usher in the Age of Aka.