Wakanda (Marvel)

Wakanda in turmoil in Black Panther v6 #1.

Wakanda is a country that features in Marvel Comics.

History

Origin

Royal Wakandans in Black Panther v1 #8.

The ancestors of Wakandans witnessed a meteor composed of Vibranium crashing onto their lands. They would dig a large furrow in the land and watched as the meteor cooled to become the Vibranium Mound. The early tribesmen then began to mine the hidden Vibranium metal and it was this period that saw the rise of the demon stories. It was said that evil spirits emerged from the Wakandans that turned into monsters that attacked their comrades. In the aftermath, there arose a chieftain named Bashenga who was the first of the Black Panthers. Under his orders, the Mound was closed off and the Panther Cult was formed to protect it against all intruders. Thus, began the legacy of the Black Panther whereby successive descendants of Bashenga adopted the mantle for the protection of their home land. (Black Panther v1 #7)In time, they established their village by the mound following the Great Wandering that contained the sacred metal after being guided there by the Panther God. (Fantastic Four Unlimited v1 #1)

As far back as the 5th century, the people of Wakanda developed into an advanced culture that managed to effortlessly repel foreign invaders that entered their land. (Black Panther v4 #1) Long ago, Solomon left great treasures and knowledge such as ancient codices that contained alchemical formulae for the elixir of life with him believing these secrets should not be known to mankind. This knowledge was entrusted to the Wakandans with one of the Black Panthers given the task of protecting the secrets at the Grotto of Solomon. (Captain America: Hail Hydra! v1 #3) Ancient Wakandans learnt to manipulate storm clouds to funnel cosmic energies that created pathways that eventually pulled down Vibranium meteorites. (Fall of the Hulks: Alpha v1 #1) The first chieftain of Wakanda was T'Chambwe with the Headdress of T'Chambwe being a noted relic. (Spider-Man/Human Torch v1 #4) In the 19th century, an armed group arrived in Africa seeking the legendary city of Wakanda in order to pillage it but they were massacred by the Black Panther along with his warriors who did so with ease. (Black Panther v4 #1)

During the reign of G'Bundo the Fearless, the king created the Fifth Law that was a philosophical treatise and not a legal issue. Its primary consideration was "compassion tempered by wisdom" that promoted a doctrine of tolerance among the many tribes of Wakanda. In time, this led to the Great Understanding under Assiri the Wise leading in turn to the formation of the Tribal Council. (Black Panther v3 #60)

In 1892, Asiri the Wise signed a treaty with a drunken Frenchmen who had stumbled on the secret lands of Wakanda with the latter trading Anishinabe Island in Canada to them but no step was formally made to claim possession of that territory. (Black Panther v3 #42) Scientists from Wakanda had mapped the human genome 50 years before the West. (Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man v1 #2)

In this time, a Nazi Colonel Frtiz Klaue sought out the lands of Wakanda for Hitler where he took an airship there only to be intercepted by Sergeant Fury who caused it to crash. Klaue was discovered by the Wakandan Chieftain Chanda who with his wife Nanali tended to Fritz for three days till he recovered. Colonel Klaue befriended the Wakandans and made them create the Panther Icon where he attempted to control the native people. This saw Chanda nearly killed but the chieftain was visited by the Panther God that guided him against this threat. (Fantastic Four Unlimited v1 #1) During World War II, the nation of Wakanda was led by Azzuri the Wise who was the ruling Black Panther at this time. Nazi Germany discovered the existence of Vibranium during these years and dispatched an invasion force to plunder the metal from Wakanda. Upon learning of this expedition, the Allies dispatched Captain America and the Howling Commandoes to intercept the enemy before they could accomplish their goal. However, when they arrived, the Nazi forces were found slaughtered by the Black Panther and the Wakandans. As a result, Germany dispatched the Red Skull to take charge of the operation to gather Vibraium from Wakanda. (Black Panther/Captain America: Flags of Our Fathers v1 #1)

By 1959, Nick Fury and the Blonde Phantom went to Wakanda as they were pursuing the Nazi General Skul but he had already left for Madripoor. (Avengers 1959 v1 #3) Geoffrey Sydenham's machinations led to the capture of Prince T'Chaka in order to hold him hostage whilst his Nazi allies pillaged Wakanda of its advanced technology but this plan was stopped by Nick Fury's Avengers team. This saw agents of the U.S. State Department travel to the Latverian capital of Hassenstadt to recover T'Chaka and send him back to Wakanda. (Avengers 1959 v1 #5)

Modern Day

A state of war was declared between Deviant Lemuria and Wakanda following the declaration of hostilities by the High Priest Ghaur. (Black Panther v3 #27)

At some point, a movement formed known as the 'Desturi' that grew dissatisfied with the actions of the Wakandan government and royal family. This group sought the return of the old traditions and had xenophobic views that led to them becoming a violent faction that attacked the Wakandan royal family. (Black Panther v5 #10)

Wakanda later established its embassy in one of the three wings of the Triskelion whilst Black Panther T'Challa worked with the Ultimates in combating threats of cosmic scope. This led to some worries among members in the United Nations that Wakanda had allied with the United States on a military level. However, T'Challa stated that this was only an exploration joint venture and that the United States would hold Wakanda back if they were formal military based allies. (Ultimates v2 #1)

Overview

The country did not have any fault lines along its section of the tectonic plate. (Black Panther v4 #4) It was said to possess large deposits of oil that was not utilized. (Black Panther v4 #1)

It was home to a wide range of creatures such as the White Gorillas that were held as the most savage and merciless of beasts. (Avengers v1 #62)

Locations in the country included:

• Black Warrior Creek : (Jungle Action v2 #6)
• Central Wakanda :
• Chasm of the Chilling Mist : (Jungle Action v2 #6)
• Crystal Forest :
• Domain of the White Gorillas : mostly uncharted area. (Jungle Action v2 #6)
• Mount Kanda : this area was home to the heart-shaped herb used by the Black Panthers. (Jungle Action v2 #6)
• Mount Wakanda :
• Panther Island : (Jungle Action v2 #6)
• Paradise Forest :
• Piranha Cove : (Jungle Action v2 #6)
• River of Grace and Wisdom : (Jungle Action v2 #6)
• T'Chaka Path : a walkway situated in Central Wakanda. (Jungle Action v2 #6)
• Torment Forest :
• Tranquility Temple :
• Twisted Visions Lake : (Jungle Action v2 #6)
• Vibranium Mound :
• Warrior Falls : (Jungle Action v2 #6)
• Serpent Valley : (Jungle Action v2 #6)
• Woods of Solitude : (Jungle Action v2 #6)
• Primitive Peaks : (Jungle Action v2 #6)
• Great Plateau : (Jungle Action v2 #6)
• Temple of Anansi : the temple of the spider god. (Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man v1 #2)
• Caves of Bast : site of T'Challah's combat lab. (Doomwar v1 #5)
• Nowhere Room : a special chamber newly created by T'Challah as part of his development of shadow physics and used to combat Doctor Doom's conquest of Wakanda. (Doomwar v1 #5)
• Grotto of Solomon : a vault containing the secrets of Solomon situated in Southwestern Wakanda and protected by the Black Panther. (Captain America: Hail Hydra! v1 #3)
• Fort Hahn : a prison. (Black Panther v6 #1)

Inhabitants of their country were stated to hold a warrior spirit unlike any other. (Black Panther v4 #1) Wakandans were noted for being a warrior people but one that had deep appreciation for other cultures. (Black Panther/Captain America: Flags of Our Fathers v1 #2)

As part of its social service, Wakanda provided free health care to all its citizens. (Black Panther v4 #25)

The Panther God manifests in Black Panther v5 #4.

There were a number of different cults that operated in the country which included the:

• Panther Cult : worshippers of Bastat the Panther Goddess with the cult being formed shortly after the Vibranium meteor landed in Wakanda and began mutating several of the populace into "demon spirits" that attacked their fellows. Bashenga became the first Black Panther who closed the mound from outsiders and formed a religious order. This group guarded the mound and fought the "demon spirits" to prevent their spread into the kingdom. Thus, the Black Panther became a ceremonial and religious title held by the chief of the Panther Tribe where its inductees ate a heart-shaped herb that enhanced their physical attributes to near superhuman levels. The clerical distinctions within the cult included acolyte White Tigers, deacon-like Golden Lion's, Coal Tigers and the chieftain who was the Black Panther. (Black Panther v3 #60)
• White Gorilla Cult : worshippers of Ghekre the Gorilla God was an ancient Wakandan deity though the cult itself was outlawed by the Black Panther Cult. The Jabari Tribe was the Cult of the White Gorilla with the clan outlawed by the Black Panther. (Black Panther v3 #41)
• Lion Cult : worshippers of Sekhmet the Lion God that could possess a sanctified body and transform them into avatars of itself. She had seemingly lost many worshippers to the Cult of the Panther God.
• Crocodile Cult : worshippers of Sobek the Crocodile God who was an ancient but somewhat forgotten Wakandan deity.
• Hyena Clan : a hated group of nomadic scavengers and thieves that called no area home as they prowled the continent taking anything they wanted and killed anyone that stood in their way. (FF v1 #19)

In Wakandan myth, white apes were held as the ever adversary of the black panthers. It was said that the ape each day killed the cat only for the latter to be reborn the following dawn. (Black Panther v2 #1)

Many of the gods of Egypt were largely derived from the ancient gods of Africa. Many of these celestial deities were even suspected as being the same entities. (Black Panther v3 #21) It was said that the Wakandan deities did not interfere in the affairs of the mortal world. (Black Panther v5 #3) Though referred to as a god, the Wakandans held the view that the Panther God was not a deity but rather an elder brother of the forest. (Fantastic Four Unlimited v1 #1)

To become chieftain, a warrior had to undergo the Ascension Rites with tests of knowledge and combat with the latter involving a fight with four skilled Wakandan warriors with these being observed by the tribal high council. This was governed by the Law of Ascension whereby Title 14 stated that anyone the king decreed as a worthy challenger must be allowed to continue. Under Wakandan law, the battle was preceded by the interrogatories. (Black Panther v3 #60) The white Robe of Ascendancy were placed on the ruling chieftain of Wakanda. (Black Panther v2 #4) Every chieftain of Wakanda were pledged to protect the Sacred Mound of Vibranium with their lives. (Fantastic Four v1 #53) Trials were sometimes conducted to see whether the ruling chieftain still held the panther spirit in them. These rituals were known as the Ordeal of the White Ape whereby they must battle the large white apes in the mountains in order to claim a sacred leaf to return to the tribal elders. (Black Panther v2 #1) In ancient times, Wakandan chieftains had acolytes that were novices in training who support their work. (Black Panther v3 #61) Wakandan protocol stated that if the ruling king was incapacitated than leadership fell to the queen until such a time that he had returned. (Black Panther v5 #2)

They had a number of relics to their people that included; the Headdress of T'Chambwe (Spider-Man/Human Torch v1 #4), and the Spear of Bashenga. (Black Panther v3 #21)

A number of organizations were situated within the Wakandan hierarchy that included:

• Tribal Council : The High Council of the Wakandas that was held as the law of their land and was formed by G'Bundo's doctrine of tolerance among the tribes. It served as the Wakandan parliament that was made up of 18 ministers representing a couple of dozen indigenous tribes that rarely agreed with one another. (Black Panther v3 #60)
• Dora Milaje :
• Hatut Zeraze :
• Order of the Panther : It was claimed that they hated the tribal elder council's adherence to the old ways. (Black Panther v2 #3) They bore their own codes that highlighted the importance of their reports to their superiors. (Black Panther v2 #2)
• P.R.I.D.E. : the Princess Regent Intelligence Division Executives that supported Princess-Regent Shuri. (Black Panther v5 #9)
• Wakanda Design Group :

They maintained a vast spy network that was not unlike that employed by the West. (Black Panther/Captain America: Flags of Our Fathers v1 #2) It was considered as good as the Mossad and certainly better than the CIA. (Black Panther v4 #3)

Its Air Guard wore flight suits that utilized wrist cannons which were backup weapons for the user. (Black Panther v5 #7)

Though the Wakandan tribe lived the tradition of their forefathers, they possessed modern super-scientific wonders. (Fantastic Four v1 #53)

Special plants were harvested for use that promoted healing at a fast rate with their medical knowledge being advanced. (Black Panther/Captain America: Flags of Our Fathers v1 #2) They had a variety of eco-friendly alternative power sources such as solar or hydrogen. (Black Panther v4 #1)

As far back as the mid-20th century did the Wakandans employ sophisticated surveillance satellites at a time when no such technology existed among nation states. (Avengers 1959 v1 #3) Defensively, they used of advanced protection totems that were large machines that emerged from the ground amidst the enemy ranks and generated a field that made weapons ineffective and machinery unable to function. (Black Panther/Captain America: Flags of Our Fathers v1 #2)

They manufactured N'Yami-class motherships that were battle cruisers which were effectively weapons of mass destruction roughly the size of Jupiter 2 and was able to destroy entire cities. These craft were crewed by 150 heavily armed Wakandan Special Forces Group soldiers and carried a compliment of 10 Talon Fighters. Such motherships were equally able to operate readily in outer space or on the ocean floor. (Black Panther v3 #27)

Inhabitants

• Bashenga : male chieftain that closed the Vibranium Mound from outsiders and became the first Black Panther who created the Panther Cult to protect the Vibranium. (Black Panther v1 #7)
• Malaika : a female Wakandan who was the trade envoy to Paris and also a member of the Order of the Panther. (Black Panther v2 #2)
• Kono : a male boy that was the chief priest at Tranquility Temple. (Black Panther v3 #21)
• K'Tela :a female bald headed minister with an eye patch over her left eye who knew Nick Fury. (Avengers 1959 v1 #3)
• Kimbay : (Black Panther v3 #35)
• Chanda : male chieftain married to Nanali who was the father of T'Chaka. (Fantastic Four Unlimited v1 #1)

Notes

• Wakanda was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby where it made its first appearance in Fantastic Four v1 #52 (July, 1966).

Alternate Versions

• In X-Men: Forever v2 (2009), an alternate reality version of the country featured in a reality designated as Earth-161. This version was ruled by the Wakandan royal family until a Bio-Synth duplicate of Storm arrived to hold a romantic relationship with Black Panther. T'Challa believed the Bio-Synth was the real Ororo Munroe allowing the duplicate to conspire with his foe Erik Killmonger to get him assassinated along with the rest of the royal family. However, the Bio-Synth betrayed Killmonger and blamed him for the death of the royal family allowing her to be appointed as Wakanda's new beloved ruler. In this time, the statues dedicated to the Panther God were torn down and instead replaced with ones in the likeness of Ororo Munroe who they called the Perfect Storm. The villainous Perfect Storm was defeated by another clone of Ororo Munroe that was an energy form that had manifested in her likeness who operated as the Ghost Panther. With the defeat of Perfect Storm, the Ghost Panther began to rule Wakanda where she maintained good relations with the X-Men and Avengers.

In other media

Television

• In Fantastic Four, Wakanda made an appearance in the episode "Prey of the Black Panther" where it was said to be a not a well known country situated in Africa. It was home to Vibranium that was protected by the Wakandan people where 10 years ago the scientist Ulysses Klaw attempted to plunder the region of the mineral to power his sonic devices. He was opposed by T'Challa's father with the chieftain being killed by Klaw and in anger the young T'Challa managed to wound Klaw with his own sonic weapon forcing the villain to flee. T'Challa would then embark on becoming the Black Panther where he built a fortune and his body along with his mind in order to get his revenge against Klaw. He crafted an entire technological jungle and brought the Fantastic Four to his home in order to defeat them as he reasoned that if he could beat them than he could defeat Klaw. At the time, Klaw had used his technology to terrorize Wakanda by generating red skinned animals of pure sound to attack the people until Black Panther along with the Fantastic Four defeated him.
• In The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Micro-Episode "Welcome to Wakanda" and later in the episode "Panther's Quest". The episode highlights certain locations in the country which include 'Torment Forest', 'Piranha Cove' and 'Chasm of Chilling Mist'.

Films

• In Avengers: Age of Ultron, Wakanda was mentioned as being an African country that was rich in the rare metal known as Vibranium. Stark Enterprises were noted to had some dealings there in the past. Arms dealer Ulysses Klause operated in the country to retrieve a large supply of Vibranium where he was branded with the Wakandan word for thief on his neck though he managed to escape.

Video games

• In Marvel: Ultimate Alliance II, Wakanda appeared in the video-game story where it was headed by T'Challah with his wife Storm. It proved to be one of the locations free from the Fold. The machine intelligence later began a full scale invasion with numerous super powered beings under its hive mind control. They were repelled by the numerous non-controlled super powered beings allowing Wakanda to remain free from the enemy.

Appearances

• Fantastic Four v1:
• Black Panther v2:
• Fall of the Hulks: Alpha v1 #1:

External Link

• Wikipedia Entry

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