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Wakanda

Wakanda, officially known as the Kingdom of Wakanda, is a small nation in North East Africa. For centuries they have remained in isolation and are now considered the most technologically advanced nation of the planet. Birnin Zana is the capital and largest city.

Old Wakanda[]

The Originators[]

Centuries into the past, the land that would become Wakanda was home to the Originators, a group of several species of mythical beasts[4] comprised of beings such as the serpentine Simbi,[5] the ape-like Vanyan,[6] the sea-creatures Children of Olokun,[7][8] the arachnoid Anansi,[9] the insectoid Creeping Doom,[10] and the two-headed humanoids Ibeji.[4][8]

Wakanda, before it even had a name, inhabited by the Originators

Wakanda, before it even had a name, inhabited by the Originators

Millenia ago, Anubis attempted to usurp the throne and enslaved Amon Ra, ruler of the Gods of Egypt. He tried to cut out his heart and absorb the power. However, Amon was able to outwit the Death-God by giving his heart to Bast, the Panther Goddess, who ripped it out his chest. She took the heart to the centre of Africa to hide it. There, she found a tribe of great hunters who worshipped her. Before hiding the heart, she decided to bless one of the warriors with the blood of Ra. The warrior was tasked with protecting the heart, creating the city of Necropolis in Wakanda, the "Greatest Nation on the Earth".[11]

Humans went on a pilgrimage Wakanda, called by something mystical in the very soil, and encountered these beasts, with whom they lived peacefully for a while. When humans started abusing the resources of the land, conflict broke out, and the Originators routed them. However, from the heroes of the humans rose the Gods of Wakanda, the Orisha, formed by Bast,[12] Thoth, god of the moon and wisdom and Ptah the Trainer; Kokou, the god of war and Mujaji, goddess of sustenance. With the Orisha's help, the humans defeated the Originators and banished them to the Nether-Realms. Upon this seized land Wakanda was built.[4]

The Vibranium meteorite[]

Ancient Wakandans learned to manipulate storm clouds to funnel cosmic energies, creating that way the path that eventually pulled down the Vibranium meteorites.[13]

Around 1,000,000 B.C.,[14][15][16] Wakanda was home to a collection of primitive human tribes. It was during this time a massive meteorite made of a sound and energy absorbing mineral, which would later be known as vibranium crashed to Earth. One of the tribes, the Panther Tribe, decided to investigate, believing this to be a gift from the gods.[17][16][14]

Landing of the Vibranium meteorite

Landing of the Vibranium meteorite

When they reached the crater, they found that the material vibrated and decided it would be useful to forge into weapons. However, the radiation the meteorite gave off also had a side effect, turning some of the tribesmen into "Demon Spirits". Mosi, the Panther Tribe's mightiest warrior, prayed to the Panther God to give him the strength to defeat these demons, becoming the first "Black Panther" and uniting the tribes to form the nation of Wakanda. His lineage would later rule the country for centuries.[17][16][14]

The radiation also effected the flora and fauna; creating the Heart-Shaped Herb eaten by members of the Black Panther Cult. It even effected a troop of gorillas, mutating their DNA to become the albino White Apes.[14] Their flesh had the ability to bestow great power on those who consumed it. These people would later form the White Gorilla Cult, who worshiped the Ape God Ghekre. Besides emitting radiation, the meteorite opened rifts into space through which hostile races like the Cotati and the Brood arrived, but thankfully were driven away by Mosi.[14]

Eons ago, Varnae (the first vampire) stole Vibranium ore from the fires of Ptah and used it to construct a temple in the lands that would one day become Wakanda in an attempt to ascend to godhood.[18] The moon god Khonshu (another member of the Egyptian Ennead) learned of Varnae's scheme after one of his worshippers was killed, but was advised against swift retaliation by his sister Bast, who believed such unilateral action by a member of the Ennead in an unclaimed land such as Wakanda would spark a war between the Ennead and the gods worshipped in western Africa.[18] As such, Khonshu convened a meeting among the gods of the surrounding realms as a show of respect, and Ghekre volunteered to act as the West Africa gods representative on Khonshu's quest to vanquish Varnae.[18] Ghekre joined Khonshu, Bast, and Kokou in confronting Varnae in his lair while Bast freed the mortal captives, promising to them that the Ennead and the West Africa gods would never allow the people of Wakanda to be enslaved again.[18] However, seeing as the gods were becoming reckless in their fight against Varnae, the god of judgement, Eshu intervened to stop them, allowing the vampire lord to flee. As punishment for endangering their surroundings, Eshu had Kokou, Bast and Ptah remain in this land to look after the locals.[19]

At an unknown point in time before the creation of Wakanda, a cult of Set had established a base hidden inside a cave which housed the Serpent Scepter.[20]

Bashenga

Wakandan foundation[]

During the Bronze Age,[14] the tribes of Wakanda united under the Panther Tribe's chieftain, Bashenga, and he became the first King of Wakanda and the second Black Panther since Mosi. In this role, he was gifted with secret knowledge by Bast and became guardian of the Vibranium Mound and he later founded the Black Panther Cult. His Spear eventually became a status symbol of Wakanda royalty, and he was considered the Father of Wakanda.[14][21][22][23]

A cache of the books saved from the burning of the Great Library of Alexandria led to the foundation of Wakanda.[13]

Apparently, the Orisha Mujaji gave Wakanda its name, since she was described by Wakandan shamans as "who named us."[5]

Ancient Wakandan Duchy of Adowa[]

In the elder years of Wakanda, Adowa prospered, its craft workers and hunters were skilled. Other Wakandans resented them, taking them responsible for all the harms of the world.

In the eight vicennial of Alkebulan's Elder Age, strangers came to the court of Adowa, demanding a tribute, believing Adowa rich but weak. Having no standing army, the Duke of Adowa melted himself into his nation, becoming one with his own people. The strangers returned but found the court empty, its treasury barren and its grain stores bare. They decided to go into the forest to claim the fruits of the Adowan hunt, to the villages, to the farms but were attacked and repelled on each occasion...[24]

Shortly after, King Sakura rose.[24]

The Blackbird's song[]

In the village of Nri (a place now lost to written history), high above the clouds, in the mountains beyond the Crystal Forest, the people grew wings and took flight on bright days.[25]

The girls of the village were sometimes captured by slavers and carried across the Burning Sea to Eram, Uganda.[25]

Mighty House of Adofo[]

Oronde, son Yaa, daughter of Akosua, was the first born to the Mighty House of Adofo, who ascended to the throne from Alkama in the bountiful years. Oronde was the strongest and fastest among his age and older.[26]

Oronde was once defied to race by a cheetah who called him a village boy and claimed to be faster than flame. Defeated, he challenged her again and again, until he told her that he was no boy but her master, and consequently bested her, becoming known as "Oronde who mastered the flame".

Fourth Dynasty[]

The Queen-Mother of the Bako, Sologon was born to the Bako chieftain at the onset of their rise, two thousand seasons before the Mansa's Great Hajj.[27]

Sologon was married to Maghan Kanaté, most powerful chieftain of the age, in order to solidify his own power.[27]

Sologon wasn't accepted among Kanaté's other wives. In her third year of marriage, she bore him a son, Mari Djata. Kanaté soon died, and the wives plotted to have Sologon and her son banished back to the Bako.[27]

Sologon became a trusted adviser to her father.[27]

In the last year of the Maghan Chiefs, Wakanda was assaulted, and messengers cam, speaking of a great army overrunning the east. The Fourth Dynasty had surrendered, and the Bako were called to do as well.[27]

As the Bako council announced their decision to lay down the weapons, Sologon shamed them, vowed to fight the invaders herself. The men were astonished and followed her on the battlefield.[27]

Following her motto "spirit of iron, makes stone of skin", she and her warriors became unbreakable stone.[27]

By telling that story while on the Djalia[27] (the plane of Wakandan Memory),[28] Shuri would gain the similar ability of turning her skin into stone.[29]

Fifth Dynasty: Unification of Wakanda[]

The Fifth Dynasty of the New Dominion, the Bako Kings, unified Wakanda.[27]

Twelfth Dynasty[]

Under the Twelfth Dynasty, Wakandan Kings believed that their primary duty was to make themselves obsolete.[30]

That belief inspired Changamire's thinking (known as the Gospel).[30]

Invasions[]

For centuries invaders have come to Wakanda, ranging from the Roman Empire to the Knights Templar during the Crusades, and even demons from Hell. The Black Panther and the Wakandans would beat them back using deadly force each time.[31]

Panther's Teeth

Panther's Teeth

5th century[]

In the 5th century, a tribe of African warriors and conquerors came to Wakanda, following a path of victory. They were all slain, two by the Panther's Teeth, and the rest by Wakandan cross-bows. Only one was left alive, in order to tell about what happened, as the Wakandans always do.[32]

Klaue's army

Klaue's army

19th Century[]

Some time in the 1800s, Col. Klaue led a group of white soldiers in a targeted invasion of Wakanda, but were defeated and Klaue was killed. The rest of the soldiers were let to go after they surrendered, and Klaue's remains (consisting of a foot in a boot) were sent back to his native Belgium.[32][33]

World War II[]

During World War II, Colonel Fritz Klaue led a mission to Wakanda to regain Adolf Hitler's favor. His plane however crashed, leaving him as the only survivor. Klaue was nursed back to health by Azzuri, the then Black Panther. He befriended the king and was amazed by the hidden Wakandans and the Great Mound of Vibranium. Klaue had the Wakandans build the Panther Idol icon, demanding that they worship it as a god instead of a brother spirit. When the then Black Panther refused, he tried to kill him, murdering the queen Nanali instead. Panther escaped into the jungles, but when he returned he defeated Klaue and ripped his steel hand off, causing him to flee back to Germany.[34]

T'Chanda (Earth-616) and Steven Rogers (Earth-616) from Black Panther Vol 4 1 001

In 1941, Captain America traveled to Wakanda and encountered Azzuri and his son T'Chaka. They worked together with Nick Fury and his Howling Commandos in combat against Baron Strucker and the Red Skull. They then fought against three Nazi super soldiers: Master Man, Warrior Woman and the Armless Tiger Man in an all out invasion of Wakanda. The invasions failed and the Nazis retreated from Wakanda.[35]

Captain America later returned to Wakanda intrigued about the new Vibranium rumored to be found in the region. Cap eventually earned T'Chaka's trust and respect. As such, the Wakandan king gave Cap a piece of Vibranium. In return Cap gave T'Chaka his shield as a token of his trust.[36]

Modern Era[]

T'Chaka's reign[]

T'Chaka eventually became King of Wakanda. Knowing that others would attempt to manipulate and dominate Wakanda for access to Vibranium, T'Chaka continued to conceal his country from the outside world. He would sell off minimal amounts of the valuable Vibranium while surreptitiously sending the country's best scholars to study abroad, consequently turning Wakanda into one of the world's most technologically advanced nations.[37]

The Bilderberg Group invited T'Chaka to sit at their table in order to negotiate use of Wakandan goods. As T'Chaka rejected their offers, criticizing their materialist and selfish way of thoughts, they let their agent, Klaw, take the hit on the Wakandan royal family, killing T'Chaka. Klaw was forced to retreat by T'Chaka's son T'Challa.[33]

T'Challa's reign[]

S'Yan's regency[]

After T'Chacka's death S'Yan ascended to the throne and became Black Panther. S'Yan merely served as regent until 13 year old T'Challa was old enough to claim the throne.[38] T'Challa traveled to America[39] and Europe for school and gained a Ph.D. in Physics from Oxford University along with B'Tumba, his childhood friend, who would grow resentment towards T'Challa and join A.I.M..[40]

Return to Wakanda[]

He came back to perform his duties in his tribe to become a man to lead the country. He was sent to find the sacred Heart-Shaped Herb, but was captured by A.I.M. and B'Tumba, who freed him and battle at his side, dying in the fight.[40]

After beating the his uncle S'Yan in the combat ritual and taking a Heart-Shaped Herb to link him to Bast, the Panther God, the herb also enhanced him which made him almost superhuman as T'Challa became the new Black Panther, leader of the Panther Clan, and King of Wakanda.[38]

As one of his first acts as King, T'Challa excommunicated his adopted brother Hunter who, as the White Wolf, had decades earlier assumed leadership of the Hatut Zeraze ("Dogs of War"), zealous patriots who acted as Wakanda's Secret Police, performing acts of sedition, counter-intelligence and assassination against the country's presumed enemies. T'Challa would not be a king who tolerated such actions, and so officially disbanded the Hatut Zeraze, although they merely left Wakanda to operate on their own abroad.[41]

Being King continued to bring up new difficulties when a tribal war commenced in Wakanda. T'Challa was forced to take sides in the war, choosing Dora Milaje over the Jabari Tribe for his secret service agents as well as his harem. The more Wakanda became a technological global power, the more T'Challa realized the threats of the outside world.[42]

The Dora Milaje are trained in various African martial arts such as Ngolo,Laamb, Musangwe, as well as Muay Thai, Silat, Krav Maga and others. In addition to stick fighting styles such as Nguni (South Africa), Eskrima (Thailand), Kalinda (Trinidad), and Intonga (South Africa).[8]

Wars with Niganda[]

T'Challa had hoped that the Nigandan people would remove their prime minister M'Butu, being himself unwilling to have Wakanda attack its neighbor.[43]

Klaw approached M'Butu and proposed him to join their forces in order to annex Wakanda to Niganda, offering him vast funds.[33] The Nigandan attack gave T'Challa the means to have Wakanda intervening in Niganda.[43] T'Challa chased and beat up M'Butu[44] who was removed from his post by Wakanda. Actions were also taken against the factory of geneticist Paine.[45]

Secret Invasion[]

During the Secret Invasion, the Skrulls invaded Wakanda believing that this target would be easy, but they faced T'Challa and the full might of the Wakandan military. The fight ended up with both sides being forced to fight with spears. The Wakandans defeated the Skrulls and killed every single one of them (including their leader Commander K'vvvr), and sent their ship back to the fleet with the bodies pilled up, leaving a warning message written in blood across the walls.[46]

Desturi coup[]

Doctor Doom aided a successful coup from the Desturi on the Wakandan government in order to gain access to the Vibranium deposits, putting T'Challa and his followers into exile. Control of the kingdom was later regained by Princess Shuri, T'Challa, and their allies.[47]

Avengers vs. X-Men War[]

During the war between the Avengers and the X-Men, T'Challa allowed the Avengers to use Wakanda as their home-base. When the Avengers kidnapped the X-Man Transonic, Namor, possessed by the Phoenix Force, unleashed a massive tsunami which destroyed most of Wakanda.[48]

War with Atlantis and Thanos[]

Wakanda was quickly rebuilt, with Shuri still maintaining control of the country. Wakanda began seeking revenge for Namor and Atlantis' actions, and captured a group of Atlantean generals with the intent of trying them for war crimes. This led to an escalation between Wakanda and Atlantis, with hostile actions on both sides. Atlantis maintained an upper hand early on, due to certain elements in Wakanda plotting with the Atlanteans. Namor offered generous peace terms for a quick resolution to the conflict, but Shuri rejected these terms and ordered an attack on Atlantis, demolishing the city.[49]

When Thanos and his armies led by the Black Order came to Earth in search of his son and the Infinity Gems, Wakanda was one of several targets. Wakanda beat back the initial invading force led by Black Dwarf, but after Namor told Black Order member Proxima Midnight that the gems were located in Wakanda, she led Thanos' armies to Wakanda and broke the gates of the Golden City, forcing the Wakandan forces to retreat deeper into the city.[50]

Time Runs Out[]

Eight months after the formation of the Cabal, all that is left of the Golden City were ruins, after it was leveled by the Cabal, who claimed the Necropolis as their base of operations.[51]

When the Marvel Universe was restored by the now-omnipotent Mister Fantastic, Wakanda was brought back to its state before the Cabal had destroyed it.[52]

A Nation Under Our Feet[]

Following the numerous tragedies that struck Wakanda, the nation fell in social and political turmoil, and the people began to lose faith in their king T'Challa. This new social landscape allowed two different revolutionary forces to flourish: the Midnight Angels and the People. The Midnight Angels practiced vigilantism, protecting those they believed the king was neglecting and violently punishing their oppressors, leaving the message "No one man" in their wake, with reference to their rejection of monarchy,[28] while the People incited riots and carried out terrorist attacks, based on the gospel of philosopher and dissenter Changamire.[53]

At that period, there was an uptick in border skirmishes with Nigandan forces (using alien weapons), and Wakandan royal family requested S.H.I.E.L.D. to abide by a non-interference agreement, claiming they were handling the situation.[54]

Regime Change[]

In order to ensure world peace, T'Challa secretly put sleeper agents throughout the world and began spying on his Avengers teammates, gathering data about their powers and abilities in order to replicate them. Among these sleeper agents were his childhood friend Jhai and the latter's lover Omolola.[55] However, Jhai was secretly the leader of a Wakandan terrorist organization who sought to overthrow the Wakandan parliament and reinstate T'Challa as absolute ruler.

After faking his death, Jhai made assassination attempts on other sleeper agents and important Wakandans, which led to civil strife in the country, including the disbandment of the Hatut Zeraze.[56] As Jhai was about to activate a top secret Killswitch program devised by Wakanda to knock out communications worldwide, the Wakandans, Atlanteans and the Avengers were forced into a coalition to defeat him. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Folasade decided to banish T'Challa from the county due his part in causing all of this chaos, and restructured Wakanda's government into a democracy.[57] In the end Jhai was killed, but T'Challa complied with his people's decision to reject monarchy and left his position as king behind.[58]

Imperial[]

Unfortunately for the Wakandans, the transition from monarchy to democracy severally weakened the country as it struggled with the rise of crime.[3] Namor was chosen to be Wakanda's new guardian, but he completely neglected his duty during the vampire invasion,[59] and the worldwide takeover of Emperor Doom, resulting in massive damages and casualties.[60][61][62] The politicians in charge of the country struggled with making the hard and impossible decisions to maintain Wakanda's order while not falling to corruption, and in time the country realized that democracy was unsustainable to do the brutal work of keeping Wakanda intact. Meanwhile, T'Challa was still welcomed to the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda, as despite its inherent connection to the Earth country, it still operated independently and wasn't subjected to Wakanda's government.[62] Soon the decision to turn the government into a democracy was reversed and the monarchy was reinstated. T'Challa was reinstated as the country's king, and with his return the Hatut Zeraze was also reformed. As ruler of both Wakanda and its intergalactic empire, T'Challa worked hard to maintain peace and tranquility in both factions.[63]

Geography[]

Localization[]

Languages[]

The major languages in Wakanda are Wakandan, Yoruba and Hausa,[15] but due to their advanced education system, the people are fluent in a variety of African and European languages.[36]

Wakandans also used Swahili, at least for names.[2]

Economy[]

The monetary unit used in Wakanda is the Wakandan Dollar.[15]

The major resource of the country is Vibranium, they have used this mineral to turn them into one of the economically stable nations on the planet. They were isolationists only and trade when needed.[15] Vibranium is sold at $10,000 per gram, and Wakanda's sacred mound is estimated to have about have 10,000 tons of the material.[65]

Other major resources includes uranium, coal, diamonds, but also aeronautics and aircraft manufacture.[15]

Defenses[]

Wakanda is an advanced military power, with multiple bodies:

  • The Wakandan Army is the country's main ground forces.[15]
  • The State Militia is seemingly another ground forces body.[65]
  • The Wakandan Navy oversees naval operations,[15] though have also been deployed on ground missions.[66]
  • The Wakandan Air Guard is the Nations air force, which includes pilots wearing powerful suits of combat armor.[15]
  • The Hatut Zeraze ("Dogs of War") was formerly the nation's secret police; although it was officially disbanded.[15]
  • The Dora Milaje acted as the king's own personal bodyguards,[15] and were skilled female warriors who have dedicated their lives to the Black Panther.[67]

Wakanda also employed robots:

  • THROBs were a limited series of robots serving in national defense.[15]
  • The Prowlers were immense panther-shaped robots, serving as one of the last lines of defense.[15]

Wakanda's intelligence resources were considered as good as the Mossad and certainly better than the CIA and MI6.[33]

The Wakandans have a contingency plan for dealing with the "Devourer of Worlds" Galactus.[71]

Politics and International Relations[]

Combat ceremony

Combat ceremony

The Wakandan government is based on a pseudo-tribal society. The head of state is the Black Panther. In this role, the Black Panther is the King/Chieftain, religious leader, and commander-in-chief. The title, although it appears to be hereditary, can be challenged by any citizen of Wakanda for the right to rule in a combat ceremony.[32]

Taifa Ngao

Taifa Ngao

Wakanda also has a council of tribal of elders; known as the Taifa Ngao to help with the decisions of day to day operations in the nation. They gather to advise the Black Panther on the future of their nation.[38] Following a governmental reformation, the Wakandan Constitutional Council transitioned the country from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy.[72]

There are eighteen different tribes in Wakanda's parliament, seemingly including the Panther Tribe, the Jabari Tribe,[15] and the Marsh Tribe,[65]

The seat of government rules from the Royal Palace located in Birnin Zana, the capital city.[15]

Old Flag of Wakanda

Old Flag of Wakanda

Since its early tribal beginnings, Wakanda has been extremely isolationist. They did not invade or provoke any other nations, but if another entered their territory they would retaliate with deadly force.[32] They remained this way for thousands of years, until the modern era when they decided to join the global community. This is still a matter of contention for the Wakandan people.[33] This lead to the creation of the Desturi, an ultra-conservative, xenophobic group who wished to return to their old isolationist ways.[73]

Wakanda is now a member of the United Nations.[74] This allows them to have political envoys across the globe such as the Wakandan Embassy in New York City.[75]

Education[]

Education is highly valued in the Wakandan culture and was viewed as a fundamental building block to ancient Wakandans. The nation has one of the highest literacy rates on the planet. They have an eleven year free, compulsory cycle of primary and secondary education. At the end of this, the citizens of Wakanda have the choice in the future of their career path. Many go on to attend one of their free Universities. The citizens also have other options such as farming and mining and other such laboring professions.[citation needed]

Due to their isolationist nature, education outside the country was forbidden, meaning the crown prince T'Challa was the first ever to do so.[40]

The Dora Milaje are trained and educated at their facility known as Upanga.[76]

They also created the Wakandan School for Alternative Studies, a special school for the meta-humans of Wakanda.[77]

Health[]

Wakanda has a universal public health system paid largely from taxation. Wakanda's entire population has equal access to health care services.[65] The nation has one of the highest life expectancy rates on the planet.

From birth a citizen is provided with Kimoyo Beads, this device regularly monitors the individual and provides a lifetime worth of medical knowledge.[78]

Wakanda has a cure for cancer but being isolationist they are reluctant to share it with the outside world. One of the members of the Wakandan counsel stated "If they care about their people's health they wouldn't sell cigarettes".[33]

Technology[]

Wakanda's technology developed entirely independently of that of the rest of the world due to them remaining in isolation. The creation of methodologies of design are so different it's very difficult to use with outside technology.[32] Their computer technology is so advanced that it's almost impossible to hack. However, they have taken time to learn the technology of the rest of the world, allowing them to hack any external computer system.[42] Most of their technology has Vibranium as it's basis.[37] The Wakandans use advanced communication technology such as the Kimoyo Card and Kimoyo Beads.[78]

The Wakandans do not use fossil fuels, even though their land is rich in resources. Instead they utilize a variety of eco-friendly alternative sources such as solar, hydrogen and geothermal.[32]

Wakandan scientists split the atom almost a century before the rest of the world.[11]

Since the mid-20th century Wakanda employed sophisticated surveillance satellites, launched at a time when the Americans and Soviets were in the early stages of the space program.[79]

Religion[]

The Wakandans have ties to the African gods, who were widely worshiped in Egypt but also had ties to other regions of Africa.[80] This pantheon is known as The Orishas.[5][7] Orisha is a Yoruba word that means spirit or deity.[81] The pantheon is composed of Gods of Egypt: Bast, the Panther Goddess, Thoth, god of the moon and wisdom and Ptah the Trainer; Kokou is a "warrior Undergod" for the Yoruba faith of Benin and Mujaji, goddess of sustenance is a "rain queen" from the Balobedu's mythology.[82]

Panther Cult[]

T'Challa (Earth-616) from Fantastic Four Vol 3 608 0001

After the vibranium meteor fell, a number of Wakandans were painfully mutated into "demon spirits" and began attacking their fellow Wakandans. T'Challa's ancestor, Olumo Bashenga, became the first Black Panther and closed the vibranium mound to outsiders, forming a religious cult that guarded the mound and fought to keep the "demon spirits" from spreading across the kingdom.[17]

The Black Panther is a ceremonial and religious title given to the chief of the Panther Cult. In addition to ruling the country, he is also chief of its various tribes. The Panther uniform is a symbol of office as well as a religious vestment.[36]

As part of the cult's ceremonies, a chosen Black Panther is entitled to the use of a Heart-Shaped Herb that grants the person who consumes it enhanced strength, agility, and perception.[83]

White Gorilla Cult[]

The Wakandans outlawed the dangerous White Gorilla Cult due to their destructive actions.[84] They consumed the flesh of the White Apes that gave them enhanced strength. Currently, there is a cult to the gorilla god, Ghekre,[17] previously, the tribe that would become Jabari worshiped the gorilla god Ngi.[85]

Man-Ape (M'Baku) of the Jabari Village was one of the greatest warriors of Wakanda, second only to T'Challa, the current Black Panther. While T'Challa was away, M'Baku tried to usurp the throne. M'Baku revived the White Gorilla cult, killing and consuming one of the White Apes. He then defeated the Black Panther and took the throne.[84]

Lion Cult[]

Sekhmet the "Lion God" lost many worshipers over the years to the Cult of the Panther God, despite the fact that Sekhmet physically manifested before its followers, and the Panther God only appears to its priests.[86]

Crocodile Cult[]

Sobek the "Crocodile God" was an ancient and forgotten god of Wakanda. But he still had some worshipers.[87]

Hyena Clan[]

The Hyena Clan a group of nomadic scavengers and thieves that prowled Africa.[88]

Wakanda from Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Vol 1 12

Alternate Reality Versions[]

Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther (Earth-3488)[]

On Earth-3488, Wakanda is a country located in Africa, it is home to large amounts of Vibranium. Dr. Bruce Banner discovered that during a previous Chitauri attack, the Hulk had been able to smash through the Vibranium plated Chitauri ships without any effort. Because of this, he discovered that Vibranium turns brittle when exposed to gamma radiation.[89]

Ultimate Universe (Earth-6160)[]

Years before the formation of Wakanda, a meteorite comprised of an alien metal known as vibranium fell on the land where the nation would be born. This metal was in truth a piece of advanced technology containing the legacy of an alien race of archivists, simply known as the Progenitors. The Progenitors used these meteorites to spread their influence on various worlds, paving way for terraformation before emerging as the gods of the inhabitants. Some members of the ancient African tribes that witnessed the meteorite's fall touched it, becoming imbued with the knowledge it contained and gaining the power to manipulate the vibranium. These individuals helped form Wakanda, and began worshipping the panther goddess Bast who represented the Wakandans' spirit and wished to help them in fighting against the Progenitors. However, through time, the subsequent kings would forget the truth regarding vibranium, only knowing fragments of it.[90] Vibranium wasn't the only artifact that came to this land, as it came alongside its opposite, a sphere of green material that that could enhance biological life. This second meteorite was found by a separate culture who kept it hidden in a temple where it was worshiped as a god. In time, these people would perish, and this "God of Flesh" would lay in the temple forgotten.[91] Meanwhile, a religious order venerating the Progenitors was formed by the name of the Vodu-Khan and manipulated the country throughout the years, planning to bring forth the prophesied "child of light" to act as a vessel for their gods.[92]

After the Maker manipulated the timeline of this universe where his council governed the entire world, Wakanda was left for the most part untouched. By 2024, the nation still hid itself from the rest of the world, not wanting to be part of the conflict outside. However, two members of the Maker's Council, Ra and Khonshu, the governors of most of Africa, which came to be known as the Upper and Lower Kingdoms, knew of Wakanda's existence and what powers it held, and embarked on a mass invasion of the rest of the continent to claim it, eradicating many settlements and imprisoning countless innocent people. T'Chaka's son, T'Challa, was crowned king and married Okoye in the midst of this, but after his father was killed by a spy of Khonshu, he decided that it was time to fight against the invaders. He allied himself with two guerilla fighters, Killmonger and Storm, who began assisting him in the fight against Khonshu and Ra's army named the Moon Knight,[93] and even free the Sorcerer Supreme Inan to help them.[94] The two sides finally met and agreed to settle the war through a single combat between the Black Panther and Khonshu for the sovereignty of Wakanda and ownership of the vibranium.[95] Soon the two leaders fought in an arena surrounded by hundreds of spectators, with the Black Panther emerging victorious. With Khonshu defeated, both he and Ra were taken under Wakanda's custody, ending the Moon Knight's threat.[96]

However, there was no time to celebrate, as in her analysis of the vibranium, Inan inadvertently released one of the Progenitors from the metal who went on a rampage across Wakanda until it was banished.[97] Soon more Progenitors emerged from the "dark vibranium" in Nigeria, taking possession of people nearby and planting the seeds for their worldwide conquest.[98] While Black Panther and Storm went after one of these Progenitors named X'non,[99] Wakanda became more opened to the outside world as it saved a group of miners from the Machine Men mercenary group. Suddenly, the Vodu-Khan attacked Queen Okoye and Killmonger, but thankfully were driven away by Inan, leaving Killmonger to lead the country in T'Challa's absence.[92] Unbeknownst to everyone, Black Panther had impregnated Storm, who was then taken by the Progenitors and the Vodu-Khan as they planned to use their child in turning Wakanda into a gateway for the Progenitors to come through. After interrogating both Khonshu and Ra, Killmonger learned not only the truth behind T'Challa's lineage, but also that the secret spy who had aided them in taking out T'Chaka was in fact Princess Shuri.[100]

T'Challa was also told the truth by Bast, and decided that after vanquishing the threat posed by the Progenitors he would open Wakanda to the whole world.[90] On his way back to Wakanda, Black Panther rejoined Killmonger and Okoye inside the ruins containing liquid vibranium, and once back to the country Shuri presented them with an advanced army as a way to make amends for her actions.[101] Black Panther and Killmonger managed to locate Storm, but it was too late as she had already given birth to the "Child of Light" who grew rapidly into a young adult and was now leading the Vodu-Khan's army into Wakanda.[102] The trio intercepted the march, and joined by Wakanda's forces, fought the Vodu-Khan.[103] Black Panther managed to destroy the Child of Light, and confronted the Progenitors in the Astral Plane, telling them that Wakanda and the rest of the world would not fall before them. After returning to the physical world, T'Challa proceeded to bring forth a new age for Wakanda, by sharing their resources with the surrounding towns and villages, joining the forces that opposed the Maker's Council and H.A.N.D., and making preparations to combat the Progenitors in the case they managed to properly come back. He also asked Killmonger that if he were to lose himself to kill him and take his place as king of Wakanda.[104]

Marvel vs. Capcom series (Earth-30847)[]

Valkanda from Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite 001

The Earth-30847 version of Wakanda was caught up in the Convergence caused by Ultron Sigma, leaving the kingdom fused with the desert port town of Val Habar (Along with a good portion of its desert and the monsters therein, including the sand-swimming elder dragon Dah'ren Mohran). Black Panther still serves as the newly-formed kingdom's leader, with the land now being dubbed "Valkanda", and T'Challa taking on one of the town's top Monster Hunters as an adjutant. The kingdom was sealed beyond the flow of time through use of the Time Stone.

The Resistance sent a team to Valkanda in order to study the anomalies caused by the Convergence, but their craft was caught in a vortex and crashed, leaving Ryu and the Hulk as the only two survivors. Another team was sent to Valkanda to obtain the Time Stone in order to fight Ultron Sigma, but they were followed by a legion of Ultron Drones, who infected Dah'ren Mohran with the Sigma Virus. The dragon began an attack on the capital city or Valkanda, but was defeated by Ryu and the Hulk, leading Black Panther to hand over the Time Stone as thanks, removing the time barrier from around the kingdom.

After the defeat of Ultron Sigma, Wakanda and Val Habar remained permanently fused due to a crack made in the Reality Stone by Thanos in a battle with Ultron Sigma.

Anno Doom +116 (Earth-52635)[]

Wakanda was one of the last remaining places that resisted Emperor Doom's takeover, until it too inevitably fell after a century into his rule. Doom kept Wakanda's killing field active and surrounded it by Latviathans to make it appear the country still stood in order to attract fugitives.[105] A group of teens had sought Wakanda out to finally find a safe place devoid of Doom's tyranny, but as they made their way to it, the Latviathans killed almost all of them, leaving only one teenage girl alive. She managed to enter Wakanda, only to find it in ruin which shattered any hope she still had. She eventually came across the Black Panther's broken suit, and piecing it together she took the name of Killmonger and vowed vengeance against Doom for destroying the world.[106]

Marvel Cinematic Universe (Earth-199999)[]

Wakanda from Black Panther (film) 001

Wakanda was one of the most advanced countries located in Africa, surrounded by mountainous ranges and jungles. It was the source of most of the Vibranium used around the world. The nation was founded millions of years ago, when a vibranium meteorite fell at the heart of Africa which mutated the plant life around it. Centuries after that event, five local tribes colonized the land, those being the Border Tribe, Merchant Tribe, Mining Tribe, River Tribe and Jabari Tribe. The tribes fought between themselves for the vibranium, which they knew it as "Isipho." The conflict would come to an end when Bashenga was guided by the panther goddess Bast into consuming the Heart-Shaped Herb that had been mutated from the meteorite, imbuing him with great superhuman abilities. With this newfound power, Bashenga united the tribes and became their king, the first "Black Panther." Most of the tribes pledged their loyalty to the Black Panther, except for the Jabari Tribe who rejected Bashenga's leadership and the use of vibranium, opting to instead live a more primitive lifestyle in the northern mountains.[107]

As years went on, Wakanda evolved at much faster rate than other civilizations thanks to the vibranium. Bashenga's royal line also gave rise to a sixth tribe, the Golden Tribe, which came to govern the Kingdom of Wakanda as part of the Tribal Council. The other tribes also adopted tasks to maintain their country: the River Tribe dealt with agriculture and fishery; the Merchant Tribe dealt with commerce and trade; the Border Tribe dealt with border security and acted as Wakanda's first line of defense; and the Mining Tribe dealt with vibranium management. To maintain safety and security, the country formed the War Dogs as Wakanda's central intelligence service and secret police, the Wakandan Royal Guard as its main military, and an elite group of all-female warriors known as the Dora Milaje.[107] The religion of Wakanda had as its main deity Bast, patroness of the nation of Wakanda and the Black Panther, she also acted as a psychopomp alongside her sister Sekhmet,[108] guiding souls of the deceased to the Ancestral Plane.[107] The Jabari Tribe worshipped the god Hanuman as opposed to Bast and Sekhmet.[107]

The people of Wakanda saw how the other nations warred with each other, and wishing to protect themselves from the chaos consuming the rest of the world they isolated themselves and hid their land through the use of a clocking field.[107] In 1260 BC, former Wakandan royal guard Nkanti betrayed Wakanda due to seeing it as a prison, and stole countless vibranium artifacts to form his own domain, the Pride of the Lion. Former Dora Milaje Noni managed to take him down, but all of the artifacts were scattered throughout the world.[109] Over the years, numerous agents would be sent to retrieve these artifacts. Some of these were B'kai who reclaimed Helen of Troy's Pendant,[110] and Basha reclaimed the Tongue of the Dragon.[111] However, Tafari and Kuda supposedly failed to retrieve the vibranium ax.[112]

European explorers would find some of the vibranium regardless, and made several expeditions in search for more, coming to associate the legend of Wakanda with that of El Dorado. By the modern age, Birnin Zana became the capital city of Wakanda, a highly urbanized city with the Wakandan Maglev Train being used for transport, and where the Golden Tribe's royal palace, the Citadel, rested.[107] Wakanda was marked on a S.H.I.E.L.D. map of the world.[113] T'Chaka would succeed his father Azzuri as king of Wakanda and Black Panther, and with Queen Ramonda he sired T'Challa and Shuri. His brother, N'Jobu became convinced that Wakanda's isolationist policy was wrong due to being unwilling to help people of African descent, and decided to tip off international criminal Ulysses Klaue who managed to infiltrate the nation and steal a large portion of vibranium, killing numerous innocents in the process. In retaliation, T'Chaka was forced to kill his own brother, leaving his son, N'Jadaka all alone in America.[107] Ultron would purchase some of the vibranium stolen by Klaue.[114]

A group of Wakandan delegates were accidentally killed in Lagos, Nigeria during one of the Avengers missions. Because of this they signed the Sokovia Accords. At a U.N. meeting Black Widow met T'Challa and the then current King T'Chaka. The king was killed in a terroristic explosion. T'Challa originally believed that the Winter Solider had planned the attack and sought to avenge his father, but relented when he met the true perpetrator Helmut Zemo and refused to let vengeance consume him. He allowed Captain America and the Winter Soldier to find a refuge in Wakanda after his Civil War with Iron Man. He helped Bucky by putting him back in Cryostasis Chamber. Bucky wished to remain under cryostasis until his brainwashing could be undone.[108]

T'Challa was coronated the new king of Wakanda and his first course of action was to capture Klaue so he could answer for his crimes against Wakanda. Despite working with the CIA, T'Challa failed to apprehend Klaue, allowing Erik Killmonger to kill the criminal instead and bring his body to Wakanda. Upon revealing himself as N'Jadaka he challenged his cousin T'Challa in a trial combat for the right to the throne. The two fought on the Warrior Falls, and to everyone's dismay N'Jadaka defeated T'Challa and threw his body down the waterfall, earning the post of king of Wakanda. As Wakanda's king, N'Jadaka had the garden of the heart-shaped herb burned to ensure the monarchy ended with him, and soon worked to incite a worldwide revolution by arming oppressed ethnic minorities with vibranium weapons. However, T'Challa was secretly saved by the Jabari Tribe, and with the help of Shuri, Okoye and Everett Ross he regained his power and went to overthrow N'Jadaka. With the Jabari and Dora Milaje by his side, T'Challa fought N'Jadaka and his supporters, and after a lengthy battle managed to defeat him. Back as king of Wakanda, T'Challa ended his country's isolation and opened it to the world outside, revealing to everyone Wakanda's true nature and sharing its technology with them.[107] This allowed foreigners to enter the country, and even study there, as was the case with Todd Phelps.[115]

In 2018, the Mad Titan Thanos and his Black Order arrived to Earth to claim the remainder of the Infinity Stones. Steve Rogers, Black Widow, War Machine, Falcon, Bruce Banner, and Scarlet Witch arrived in Wakanda to ask protect Vision while he had the Mind Stone safely removed. The invaders managed to locate them, and sent a massive army of countless Outriders to break through Wakanda's defenses until the heroes disabled them to face the attackers head-on. The Avengers and Wakanda's forces battled the Outriders, and were soon also joined by Thor, Rocket Raccoon and Groot, and together were able to kill the remainder of the beasts, along with Proxima Midnight, Cull Obsidian, and Corvus Glaive. Unfortunately, Thanos himself arrived while this was transpiring and successfully got hold of the last remaining Infinity Stone from Vision. With the Infinity Gauntlet complete, Thanos killed half of the life in the universe, among them being T'Challa and Shuri, robbing Wakanda of its king once more.[116]

With the king gone, his mother, Queen Ramonda, took his place as Wakanda's ruler and once again returned the country to isolation, and though it became much more secluded than before it still maintained outside connections.[117] Okoye also kept working with the Avengers in the following years. Once The Snap was undone by Banner using the Infinity Stones, everyone that was killed by Thanos returned to life, including T'Challa and Shuri. There was no time to celebrate; however, as they and the entirety of the Wakandan army were summoned to the now destroyed Avengers Compound by the Masters of the Mystic Arts to assist the Avengers in fighting against a past version of Thanos and his army. Despite the odds, the heroes won the war thanks to Iron Man's sacrifice, and with life and peace restored T'Challa and the Wakandans celebrated their victory.[118]

Sadly, T'Challa's return was short-lived as he soon came under the affliction of an incurable disease. Shuri worked hard to recreate the Heart-Shaped Herb, but it was too late and T'Challa soon passed away, much to the dismay of the entirety of Wakanda. In light of his death, some countries attempted to take this as an opportunity to steal more vibranium from the country, though they failed due to Queen Ramonda and the Dora Milaje still standing strong despite the tragedy. The other countries were still determined to get their hands on the metal, and decided to look elsewhere as they figured that there should be more vibranium outside of Wakanda. With the help of genius student Riri Williams, the CIA uncovered more vibranium on the Atlantic Ocean floor, inadvertently threatening the hidden underwater kingdom of Talokan. This led the Talokan king, Namor, to demand the Wakandans to bring him Williams since they had part in it due to revealing the metal's existence to the world. Princess Shuri managed to find Riri, but both were captured by the Talokanil when she attempted to bring the young girl to safety. T'Challa's lover, Nakia, was sent to rescue the girls, breaking into Talokan and killing a few of its people before bringing Shuri and Williams to Wakanda. Namor saw this as an act of transgression, and declared war on Wakanda. He led his people into a surprise attack on Wakanda's capital, during which Queen Ramonda was killed. In preparation for the war, Shuri finally managed to recreate the Heart-Shaped Herb and was imbued with the power of the Black Panther. As the new Black Panther, she led the Wakandan army in the war against the Talokanil, which ended when she successfully bested Namor and the two monarchs established ceasefire. Although she was now the Black Panther, Shuri abdicated the throne, and appointed M'Baku as Wakanda's new king.[117]

Predator vs. Marvel (Earth-41341)[]

Much like its main counterpart, Wakanda was presided over and protected by the Black Panther, with the Dora Milaje and Hatut Zeraze acting as the country's security forces.[119] During World War II, the savage alien race known as the Yautja discovered Wakanda's vibranium and seeing the valuable properties it possessed, sought to claim it. They faced opposition from the Black Panther at the time, Azzuri and his 500 Wakandan warriors. They fought a great battle, and although only Azzuri survived, the Yautja were defeated and their bodies burned.

However, they kept their advanced alien technology which they studied and reverse-engineered it to develop Wakanda's own technology. Azzuri then decided to keep Wakanda hidden and isolated from the outside world to protect it from other invaders like the Yautja or the Nazis.[120] In the present day, T'Challa became the new Black Panther and King of the country, but Wakanda would be infiltrated by a Yautja clan who again wished to steal the vibranium.[119] T'Challa and his allies fought back against the invaders, being forced to call for outside help, and eventually were able to kill the aliens once again.[121]

Earth-TRN1663[]

In the late 24th century, the savage insectoid aliens only known as the Horde invaded Earth, leaving the advanced nation of Wakanda as the sole survivors. An isolationist nation, Wakanda refused to help the rest of the world at the start of the invasion, but now alone had no hope of victory without outside help of their own. Wakanda's champion, Black Panther, used quantum technology to search back through history to find a critical point in the timeline to break Wakanda's isolationist views. Black Panther travelled back to 1896 to stop the Wakandan Prince Tafari and the War Dog Kuda from retrieving a lost vibranium ax, instead leaving it to be found 120 years later by Killmonger, setting off a chain reaction that would reveal Wakanda to the outside world and in turn generate international cooperation to defeat the Horde in the future.[112]