Wakanda Forever : 10 Key Moments of Indigenous History & Relationships | Movie Analysis
*SPOILER ALERT* If you haven't seen the movie yet, do not read.
A Perfect Tribute to Chadwick Boseman
The untimely death of the film’s lead actor, Chadwick Boseman, was what sustained the fans for a completely different viewing experience. As T’Challa, he represented so much life and authority in the original Black Panther. While anticipating the film to start, we all were being dragged into a tranquil space of preparing to grieve, to remember him through this film.
The Most Important Element
In the film, water and all of its properties are used to symbolize, to restore, to fight, and to form bonds between characters. It is an ebb and flood of emotions , allowing us to see its characters in a more vulnerable light. In the shadow of T’Challa’s death, they are more susceptible, existing in spaces of turmoil and acceptance.
Earth and Water
Shuri, played with passion and determination by Letitia Wright, come to terms with the powerful and often overwhelming emotions of loss related to her dear brother. In the first part of the film, she sits by the water with her mother, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), unable to comprehend any deeper divine meaning to his passing. As Namor rises from the water to warn Shuri and Ramonda from the destructive plan of the CIA and US government , his community of Talocan rests on the ocean floor where he has used Vibranium to build a society of peace and functionality.
Without a doubt, one of the most thrilling moments is the introduction of Namor, the antagonist, and his underwater world of Talocan (Tlālōcān). Inspired deeply by ancient Aztec mythology and history, Coogler brings to life a Marvel villain born from the world, in the same complicated spirit as Killmonger. Namor is an antihero whose backstory is so rich with depth that we understand and empathize with him. Tenoch Huerta embodies him with a gentle, calculated ferocity and power.
In the face of a time of heightened Anti-Blackness and racism around the world, there is something so powerful about seeing a film that acknowledges and pays homage to the history and culture of Indigenous nations, like Aztecs (Native American) and their ancestral connections to African people, after so many years of this history being brushed aside from a mainstream film industry and also education.
This movie perfectly shows that while two communities are fighting to protect their existence in the middle of numerous threats to their very existence, there is also a division occurring, and the film depicts the conflict that threatens to erase both communities when they are not united.
advertisement
Wakanda Forever is not only a highly-anticipated film, but a significant cultural moment. Representation matters, and this film does an excellent job of celebrating blackness and indigenous culture.
Here are 10 key moments of Indigenous history & relationships in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
The Beginning
"Queen Ramonda the daughter of Lumumba". Who is Lumumba?
American movies often fail to mention key historical figures, like Patrice Lumumba. This is a must-watch film that sheds light on an important chapter in African history. Lumumba was a Congolese independence leader and the first democratically elected Prime Minister of the Congo. He played a pivotal role in leading the Congo to independence from Belgium in 1960. Lumumba was assassinated in 1961, just months after taking office. His death was a blow to the Congo's young independence movement, and his legacy continues to be celebrated by many Africans today.
The Tech Centre in Mali
Mali was the center of education for centuries because it produced some of the world's finest scholars. The University of Timbuktu was a world-renowned institution, and Mali's libraries were filled with ancient texts. Malian students traveled to other parts of the world to study, and the country was a leader in the production of books and manuscripts.
Timbuktu was once a city of learning, with over 60,000 students attending its universities and libraries. The city was a center for the study of mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and other sciences. With its library having an estimated 600,000 to 1,000,000 manuscripts.
The Mali Empire was a major source of financing for universities
The wealthy Mali Empire provided significant financing for the universities in Timbuktu and other cities. This allowed the institutions to maintain high standards and attract top students from around the globe.
The educational system in Mali produced many great minds
The educational system in Mali produced many notable alumni, including Ibn Battuta, one of the most famous travelers of all time; Mansa Musa, who was reputed to be the richest man in history; and Ahmed Baba, considered to be one of the greatest African scholars ever.
Caimanes - The Shape-Shifting Water Spirits
The Caimanes are water spirits that can take on the form of animals, usually crocodiles or alligators. In Mayan mythology, they are often associated with death and destruction, as they are said to drag people into the rivers and lakes to drown them.
The middle
What does Vibranium symbolize?
Black Panther has Wakanda, a wealthy and technologically-advanced African nation, sitting on a large deposit of the metal vibranium. In the movie, vibranium is used to create many of Wakanda's advanced technologies, including their energy source, transportation, and weaponry.
Coltan is a real-life metal that is found in Africa and is used in many high-tech devices, including cell phones and laptops. Like vibranium, coltan is a valuable resource that can be used to create advanced technologies.
So, is vibranium in Black Panther the same as coltan? It stays a mystery.
While we don't know for sure if vibranium is based on coltan, both metals are fascinating and have the potential to change the world.
African-American vs. African
Reference: Killmonger as the ancestor
Why do African-American and Africans hate each other?
1. We don't really know each other.
It's easy to hate what we don't understand. And when it comes to Africans and African Americans, there is a lot we don't understand about each other. There is a lack of knowledge and understanding that makes it easy to hate.
2. We have different experiences.
Our experiences are so different that it's hard to relate to each other. We come from different cultures and backgrounds, which can make it difficult to find common ground.
3. We're not always treated equally.
Sadly, there is a lot of intra-cultural discrimination. A lot of Africans think Black Americans have a superior complex and some Black Americans think Africans are inferior to them, are lazy and dumb, and they just don't want to be identified as Africans. This can lead to feelings of anger and resentment, which can quickly turn into hate.
The enslavement of Native Americans
The enslavement of Native Americans is a dark chapter in American history. Native Americans were forcibly removed from their homes, often separated from their families, and taken to unfamiliar lands where they were made to work as slaves. The conditions were often brutal, and many Native Americans died from disease, malnutrition, and abuse. The experience left deep scars on the Native American community, and the effects can still be felt today. While the enslavement of Native Americans is not something that is talked about often, it is important to remember the suffering that took place and to honor the strength and resilience of the Native American people. Read some of the facts about the Amerindian slave trade.
1. Native Americans were enslaved by the English, Spanish, and Dutch during the 1600s.
2. Many Native Americans were sold into slavery in the West Indies.
3. Native Americans were sometimes used as bargaining chips in diplomatic treaties between European nations.
4. The French, who also enslaved Native Americans, actually had a higher proportion of African slaves than did the English colonies.
5. In the late 1600s, English colonists began buying African slaves to replace the dwindling number of Native American slaves.
6. In some cases, Native American women were sold into sexual slavery to colonists.
7. Many Native American slaves were forced to work on plantations, in mines, or as household servants.
8. Some Native Americans who were enslaved managed to escape and find freedom.
9. The Native American slave trade drastically declined and ended by 1750, due to the Indian wars and also the increased number of imported African slaves.
We are more connected than we think
The similarities of indigenous culture. In this case Africans and Native Americans:
1. Both cultures have a strong connection to nature.
2. Both cultures have a rich oral tradition.
3. Both cultures value family and community.
4. Both cultures have a history of oppression and struggle.
5. Both cultures are incredibly resilient and have contributed greatly to the world we live in today.
advertisement
The end
Love conquers hate
We will not go deep on what exactly happened at this scene. You have to watch it to fully understand this incredible scene between Black Panther (Shuri) and Namor. However, here are 3 things we learned about love:
1. Love is stronger than hate -
This has been proven time and again throughout history, that love conquers hate. Love creates a force field of positivity and light that can break through the darkest hatred.
2. Love is more powerful than fear -
Fear is what motivates most hatred. When we are afraid, we close ourselves off to others and lash out in an attempt to protect ourselves. But when we love, we open ourselves up to others and create a bond of trust and understanding.
3. Love is more transformational than hatred -
Hatred destroys relationships and creates division. But love has the power to transform relationships and bring people together. Love is the ultimate force for good in the world
Important: Mid- Credits bonus scene is pivotal for maybe the next chapter of Black Panther (speculation). So, don't leave before all the credits end. You have been warned!
''My haitian name is Toussaint''
Finally, Haiti is getting its flowers!
Toussaint Louverture was a Haitian general and leader of the Haitian Revolution. He is often credited as the "Father of Haiti". Born into slavery, he rose to become a general in the French Army and led the Haitian Revolution, which paralyzed the plantation economy of Saint-Domingue and helped end slavery in the French colony.
Conclusion
The film is groundbreaking in its representation of black and brown history and culture. It is one of the first mainstream superhero films to feature a predominantly black cast, and it gives a voice to the black community that has often been marginalized in Hollywood. The film is also empowering for black women, who are often portrayed as objectified sexual objects in mainstream media. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is an important step forward in representation and empowerment for the black community and indigenous culture. It's one of the most visually stunning films ever made supported by a very detailed storytelling.
Is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever worth the watch?
Yes, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is definitely worth the watch! The movie is action-packed and full of surprises, and it's a great addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The cast is amazing, and the visuals are stunning. If you're a fan of superhero movies, or just love indigenous history/mythology in general, then you'll definitely enjoy Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
