It's Time For Africa to Shine
Released only a week ago, Marvel's Black Panther has taken the world by storm and is already outperforming recently released Superhero movies such as "Justice League" and "Logan." Predictions show that after this weekend Black Panther will surely be one of the Top 12 best Superhero movies of all time.
We can only pin the success of this film down to Hollywood finally telling the story of an indigenous African Hero. Although the film is based mythical location called Wakanda, it celebrates African culture in the most accurate ways possible. Drawing from various African cultures and traditions and showing the world who we are!
A Tribute to African Tribes and Culture
Of course, African's based all over the world are rejoicing on social media and bursting with pride. Somalian based Waris Duaaleh, in one such person and put together a feed of tweets depicting how the Black Panther film celebrates authentic tribes and cultures from all over Africa. We take a quick look at how various cultural themes are showcased in the film.
Ceremonial Body Modifications inspired by the Mursi & Surma
Mursi and Surma Lip Plates. Lip plates or disks are a form of ceremonial body modification. While many cultures use them they're best known by the Surma and Mursi tribes in Ethiopia. #BlackPanther #Wakanda pic.twitter.com/gkrfA3AC70
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
Traditional Zulu Headdress
Zulu headdress. Queen Ramonda wears a distinct headdress. It's reminiscent of the reed Zulu flared hats or "Isicholos." The Zulu headdresses are traditionally worn by married women for ceremonial celebrations. pic.twitter.com/5YSIqKjkMg
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
Costumes Inspired by the Masai
Many of the costumes have unique and futuristic ornamentation and details. These were made by emulating styles of the Masai people. The Maasai people of East Africa live in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. #BlackPanther #Wakanda pic.twitter.com/SjTE7kMGYL
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
Igobo Mask
Igbo Mask. In one scene Erik Killmonger wears a mask. The masks, known as Mgbedike, are distinguished by the large size and bold masculine features. They are used in Igbo rituals and are designed to contrast the female dancers with their more feminine beauty. #BlackPanther pic.twitter.com/ZMkcpUCSsz
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
Basotho Blankets
Basotho Blanket. In several scenes, W'Kabi (Daniel Kaluuya) and others are shown wearing Basotho blankets around their necks. Though the blankets are originally from the Lesotho people the designs are synonymous with the Sesotho people. #BlackPanther #Wakanda pic.twitter.com/XU1RlspXTt
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
Ndebele Neck Rings
Ndebele Neck Rings. Shuri and the Dora Milaje have outfits with a prominent collar. The South Ndebele peoples of Zimbabwe/South Africa wear neck rings as part of their traditional dress and as a sign of wealth and status. #BlackPanther #Wakanda pic.twitter.com/3L010CrUAU
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
Himba Inspired Colours
Many of the costumes have a distinctive red earthy tone. This was done by studying the colors used by the Himba people of north-western Namibia. Himba people are known for applying a red ochre paste, known as "otjize", to their skin and hair. #BlackPanther #Wakanda pic.twitter.com/K8eqmwNpcg
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
West and North African Robes
Forest Whittaker plays shaman Zuri who's the spiritual leader of Wakanda. He wears ornate flowing robes known as an Agbada. It's one of the names for a flowing wide-sleeved robe worn by men/women in much of West Africa, and North Africa. #BlackPanther #Wakanda pic.twitter.com/APqePaPMX1
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
Dogan Traditions From Mali
There was a lot of inspiration taken from the Dogon people. They live in the central plateau region of Mali, in West Africa. #BlackPanther Wakanda pic.twitter.com/PmcfrDiEWb
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
Tuareg Scarfs
Tuareg scarfs. Several characters in the film wear large scarves covering their head and face. These are similar to the ones worn by the Tuareg people. The Tuareg people inhabit an area in North and West Africa. #BlackPanther #Wakanda pic.twitter.com/81D1SoIbQF
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
Turkana Tribes from Kenya
Other tribes of sartorial inspiration were the Turkana people in Kenya. #BlackPanther #Wakanda pic.twitter.com/cRtHbFU9NG
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
Xhosa Language
The language spoken in #Wakanda is Xhosa, a language spoken by over 19 million people in Southern Africa. pic.twitter.com/oSsaWt7uHY
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
Mursi and Surma Tribal Markings
Michael B. Jordan's bumpy, ritualistic tribal markings on his chest and torso resemble the scar tattoos of the Mursi and Surma tribes in Ethiopia. #BlackPanther #Wakanda pic.twitter.com/bt7sPiLNaL
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
Akan Scarfs From Ghana
T'Challa's Kente scarf. Kente, known as nwentom in Akan, is a type of silk and cotton fabric made of interwoven cloth strips and is native to the Akan people of Ghana. #BlackPanther #Wakanda pic.twitter.com/7a7oOhOp1H
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
The Great Rift Valley Is Featured
The Great Rift Valley. Scientists have estimated that the Great Rift Valley found in Kenya was formed over 20 million years ago when the Earth’s crust began to split. #BlackPanther #Wakanda pic.twitter.com/XZ7wGSWEXB
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
Tribal Hair & Makeup
Tribal make-up is practiced in many African tribes. The make-up, often in the form of face paint, is used for many different reasons and can signify many different things such as hunting, religious and traditional reasons, military purposes or to scare an enemy. #BlackPanther pic.twitter.com/jWlmBM9qEt
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
#BlackPanther was totally a Afrocentric natural hair movie. Inspiration came from this collection of black hairstyles shot by the Nigerian photographer J. D. ’Okhai Ojeikere. #Wakanda pic.twitter.com/cSpA4Rd02O
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
Featured Music by South African Artists
Did ya'll hear this song? Its from South Africa. Babes wodumo Ft Mampintsha – Wololo #BlackPanther #Wakanda pic.twitter.com/hr1sPjV6hh
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
African Actors
Actors from originating from Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Uganda
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Danai Gurira is from Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/CzX0QaK1Pe
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
Florence Kasumba is from Uganda pic.twitter.com/yQQewXR9ZV
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
Daniel Kaluuya is from Uganda pic.twitter.com/TOeO8PWnng
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
Lupita Nyong'o is from Kenya pic.twitter.com/H9ncRnPiZy
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
John Kani is from South Africa pic.twitter.com/FFoNveDQee
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
African People Celebrate
Drawing from so many cultures and tribes across the continent of Africa, we can only celbrate this Film. Not only do African Kid's have their own indiginous superhero to look up to but our cultures and traditions are celebrated in a poerful manner giving birth to a new African Identity in Mainstream Cinema. Black Panther we salute you! #Wakanda
