The nation of Wakanda stands not only as the home to Black Panther but as a thriving country rich in advanced technology and success that had influenced nations worldwide. Isolated from the world, the people of Wakanda have flourished within the confines of their country, investing in the overall health and well-being of their own people.
Home to the rare vibranium mineral, Wakanda holds the monopoly on its availability and, as such, distributed it only to those focused on improving the world for good. Though only established in the 1960s, the influence of Wakanda has been intertwined with the history of many established heroes and has provided them with some of the most advanced weaponry ever created.
On the surface, Wakanda appears to be a nation rooted in the most advanced and futuristic technologies only. However, the people of this country have managed to meld both new technologies with the traditions and customs of their ancestors. Even the creation of Wakanda in Marvel Comics displayed strong ties to established African nations and societies in the real world. Throughout his partnerships with the Avengers and other superheroes over the years, Black Panther maintained the protection and growth of Wakanda as his number one priority.
From its mythical beginning to its debut on the big screen, here are the 16 Things You Didn't Know About Wakanda.
The Originators
Although the history of Wakanda seemed to originate with the native tribes, its first inhabitants were more mythical in nature. First introduced in Black Panther issue #167, these creatures, known as the Originators, included “the serpentine Simbi, the ape-like Vanyan, the arachnoid Anansi, and the insectoid Creeping Doom.”
Humans later traveled to the uninhabited land and encountered these strange creatures during their journey. Unfortunately, the peace between them broke when humans began abusing the natural resources of the area. Conflicts between the two species broke out, and they found themselves at war for the territory.
The humans, with the help of the Gods of Wakanda, finally defeated the Originators and banished them from the country. These humans would later form the early tribes and inhabitants of Wakanda years later.
Vibranium's demonic effects
The origins of vibranium in Wakanda dates back 10,000 years. A giant meteorite descended from the sky and crashed into the African nation. Bashenga, the strongest warriors of Wakanda at the time, led his people to investigate the crash.
Seeing the incident as a blessing from their gods, they began collecting the material to use for their weapons. However, its sound properties affected some of the tribesmen and turned them into demonic spirits. Determined to protect his people, Bashenga prayed to the Panther God for the strength to defeat these spirits.
Bestowed with the first “Black Panther” powers, he successfully beat the demons.
Through his bravery and strength, the tribes united and formed the nation of Wakanda. Bashenga served as the first official Black Panther title holder in Wakanda with the tribe’s future generations continuing the tradition.
Vibranium Enhanced Two Powerful Cults
The mineral vibranium became an invaluable resource to Wakanda due to its properties of sound and energy absorbing abilities. Not only did the resource help Wakanda become a wealthy nation but it also changed the aspects of the country and its inhabitants in more physical ways.
Upon landing in the area that would become the nation of Wakanda, the radiation that seeped from the mineral created the Heart-Shaped Herb. This herb would become part of the Black Panther Cult's tradition of the journey of the Black Panther.
The vibranium also helped in the creation of the White Gorilla cult.
Its radioactive properties developed a small group of albino White Apes. In turn, the people of the future White Gorilla Cult began consuming their flesh, gaining immense powers for it. As opposed to the Black Panther Cult, they started worshipping the Ape God instead.
Wakandan Religion and Its Tribes
The religion of the Wakandan people first developed during the pilgrimage to the land. In their conflict with the Originators, the Gods of Wakanda formed from the heroes of humans within the tribe. Ascending to the status of a god, these heroes became the Orisha, taking the names Kokou, Thoth, Bast, Mujaji, Ptah, and Nyami. The Orishas’ origins date back to the Ancient Egyptian beings known as the Ennead.
In addition to the development of these gods, the people of Wakanda became segmented into various cults that worshipped various animal gods of the area. The most famous cults included the Black Panther Cult and the White Gorilla Cult. 18 tribes in total developed in the country and included the Lion Cult, Crocodile Cult, and Hyena Cult.
Shuri's Spies
Once Wakanda became an established nation in Africa, its leaders worked tirelessly to ensure the country remained protected. Given its isolation from the rest of the world, the people of Wakanda thrived without any outside influence from the world.
To further secure the people of the nation, Wakanda developed several layers of military power. Both the Wakandan Army and Navy served to protect the country by land and sea. The Wakandan Air Guard, armed with powerful suits made from vibranium, protected the nation from any aerial strikes and attacks.
In addition to the military strengths, Wakanda also developed its own intelligence agency. The agency known as P.R.I.D.E (Princess Regent Intelligence Division Executives) debuted in Black Panther vol 5 issue #9 and served Queen Shuri during her reign as the Black Panther.
Wakanda is scientifically superior in every way
Not only did isolation provide protection for Wakanda - it also helped in their technological advancements within their society. Investing in their own scientific projects and discoveries, Wakanda grew to become one of the most scientifically advanced countries in the world. Their scientific findings even eclipsed the rest of the world.
Wakanda split the atom nearly a century before the rest of the world had done so.
In addition to new scientific discoveries, the people of Wakanda also developed methods to preserve their lush environment best. Though thriving as an advanced city, the use of fossil fuels never became mainstream in Wakanda. Instead, its people utilized more eco-friendly energies including solar power, geothermal and hydrogen. Not only did Wakanda make advancements in the scientific world but also committed early on to reduce their carbon footprint in their nation.
Powerful Technology and Weaponry
When Wakanda finally opened its doors to the outside world, the demand for vibranium became overwhelming. The resource, made available in small quantities to specific organizations and world powers, eventually made its way into unique inventions produced for the world.
Between their technological advancements and the varied uses of vibranium, Wakanda developed innovative technology, including their own Hulkbuster and the Avengers' Quinjets. They have also created personal weaponry for the Avengers, including a new shield for Captain America and the wing harness for the Falcon.
However, certain advanced technologies remained within the confines of the country and served the Wakandan people only. Included in this list of exclusive devices are their advanced communication inventions. Even the Black Panther held exclusive technologies like vibranium energy daggers, holopods, and desert sands.
Wakanda can cure cancer
The health of the people of Wakanda remained of utmost importance to its leader. Along with universal public health care and readily available services, each person received the Kimoyo Beads. This advanced monitoring service kept track of each person’s health and provided extensive medical knowledge to the individual. Their advancements in the health of its people lead to many scientific breakthroughs the world had yet to discover.
Wakanda even discovered a cure for cancer though they were reluctant to share it.
As noted by one member of the Wakanda council in Black Panther vol 4 issue #3, "If they care about their people's health they wouldn't sell cigarettes." With such an investment into the health of its people, it’s no wonder Wakanda maintained one of the highest life expectancy rates in the entire world.
The Highest Literary Rate In The World
Along with advancements in health and technology, Wakanda also became one of the world leaders in education. Holding one of the highest literacy rates to exist, the schools of Wakanda prepared its students in advanced levels of all subjects.
After completing 11 years of education, its citizens could choose their career paths and take necessary classes for free at any of its universities. If a citizen decided not to pursue scholarly education, they could be trained in one of the labor-focused fields including farming or mining. In addition, Wakanda also built the Wakandan School for Alternative Studies for any of its society that possessed meta-human abilities.
However, due to the isolation of the country, none of its people were allowed to study abroad. The first Wakandan to ever leave the country to study overseas was T’Challa.
Wakanda Ruthlessly Destroyed The Skrulls
Over the years, several enemies have tried to penetrate the isolated nation of Wakanda in an attempt to conquer it. To their surprise, they found that the Wakandan people, with their advanced technology and training, to be too much to defeat.
In one particular incident during the Secret Invasion arc, the Skrulls selected Wakanda due to its isolation as an easy target to conquer. To their surprise, the people of Wakanda and their military fought a brutal battle the entire time.
At one point, both sides were left with only spears to fight with.
In the end, the Wakandan people took out every member of the Skrulls including their commander. At the end of their battle, the Wakandans piled the Skrull bodies on the invaders’ ships and sent it back to their fleet. They also scribed a message, warning them not to attack Wakanda again.
