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Wakanda is a fictional nation located in North Africa which is part of the back story of the Black Panther, a superhero owned by Marvel Comics. It was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, but has since been developed by writers such as Don McGregor, Christopher Priest, and Reginald Hudlin.

Wakanda is an unusual country, as it is the only nation in Africa that has never been conquered or exploited by any other nation, European or otherwise. As such, it has developed a level of culture, civilization, and technological advancement that most countries can only dream of.

One of the reason it retains this status is that it is a total isolationist country, refusing to play the political games of the rest of the world, or share its technology with less spiritually and morally advanced nations, which includes just about everybody. They have had no Cold War alliances from either side and no contemporary alliances with the Arab world, despite the fact that they are said to have huge oil deposits which they refuse to exploit. They have no need for oil, because they have developed eco-friendly alternative power sources like solar and hydrogen power. Through their long history, they have never invaded anyone, and the only hostile action they have ever taken has been to defend their own borders.

They also possess vibranium, the most valuable metal in the world, due to its unusual energy absorbing properties. The mound of vibranium is said to came from a mysterious meteor that fell to Wakandan soil some time ago. Part of the Panther Clan's belief is that they are meant to guard the vibranium, and keep it safe from the rest of the world. It is said that King T'Chaka sold small amounts of the metal to outside sources to help fund select Wakandan citizens education in the outside world, including his son, T'Challa. In this way, some vibranium ended up becoming a part of Captain America's shield.

Wakandan royal family is traditionally part of the Panther Clan, a spiritual warrior discipline. Sometimes it is referred to as the "Cult of the Black Panther" or "The Panther Cult". Bast, the Panther God, is the patron God of Wakanda. The King of Wakanda usually takes on the title of the Black Panther, the clan's sprititual leader. For this reason, it has been said that being the Black Panther is “like being the President, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Pope all rolled into one". T'Challa is the current holder of this title and position, but is merely the latest in a line of Black Panthers, the last being his late father, T'Chaka. There are other religions in Wakanda, most notably the worshippers of White Gorilla and the Gorilla God, the Jabari tribe.

Some Wakandan Military History

5th Century A.D. – A neighboring tribe tries to invade Wakanda for their resources. They are met with traps set in the high grass, called “The Panther’s Teeth”, which spring up and close around them with deadly wooden spikes. They are also met with giant crossbows which hurl hundreds of arrows at once over great distances. They are all wiped out but one, who is told by a disembodied voice, “Tell your tribe. Tell everyone.” Not one member of the invading forces gets to see the face of their enemy.

Note: Crossbow technology was not developed in Europe until the 10th century A.D.

19th Century – A group of well-armed European mercenaries by way of Pretoria attempt to invade Wakanda, motivated by tales of gold and riches. They are met near the gates by a tall African wearing Black Panther garb. He tells them, “Leave now, and I will let you live. Attack and only one of you will be left standing.” Behind him stands a strange technological device. The European’s response is to laugh and to begin firing. Every gun that fires blows up in the hands of those holding it. Most of them are killed.

1944 – The living legend of World War II, Captain America, comes to Wakanda on a search and destroy mission. He is there to stop Nazis who were out to exploit Wakandan science. Unknown to him at the time, the Wakandans had already captured and beheaded the Nazis days ago. Due to a misunderstanding, Captain America engages in battle with the Black Panther of that time. Captain America is defeated in unarmed hand-to-hand combat for the first time, and has to be carried off the field of battle.

Related Terms and Articles

Black Panther

Storm (Marvel Comics)

Vibranium