People are seeing MCU's latest offering Black Panther as a groundbreaking film and rightly so. The film is changing the course of superhero movies as we know it. The movie takes us away from the American culture references, which are predominant in the other 17 Marvel movies, and towards a whole new African world of Wakanda. Of course, exploring a new territory comes with a huge responsibility of showcasing new cultures and Black Panther lives up to expectations.
From the costumes of the characters to rituals in the film - everything is an amalgamation of various cultures and tribes found across the continent of Africa. A Twitter user named @diasporicblues posted a thread, which very nicely names the referral points of many of the tribal costumes or aspects of it.
It is established in the film quite early on that whenever Michael's character, Killmonger, assassinates someone, he gives himself a mark on his skin. By the time he faces our hero T'Challa in the battle for the throne of Wakanda, he has hundreds of these markings covering his ripped body. These markings are not just to tell us how twisted and deadly the villain is, but to make a cultural reference as well.
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
Something that intrigues me while watching Black Panther was this man with a lip plate. He appears several times in the movie and I had clue what that thing in his lips was but I thought it was super cool.
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
Queen Ramonda is played by Angela Bassett in the film. She is T'challa's mother and wears beautiful headdress throughout the film.
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
Killmonger is played by Michael B Jordon in the film. He is one of the best villains in the MCU. He develops a liking towards a mask that he comes across while robbing an art gallery. He steals it and we see him wearing it when he helps Ulysses Klaue escape.
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
The border tribe in Black Panther wear blankets around their shoulders. In the movie, these blanket are technologically advanced and infused with vibranium. They double up as impenetrable shields in the war scenes.
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
Wonder why Dora Milaje warriors wore red? Here you go!
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
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
Another Twitter user pointed out that the markings we see in Shuri's lab are also a proper South African script.
All the symbols in the lab and timeline description are Nsibidi. A script developed by the Ejagham of South Eastern Nigeria pic.twitter.com/RsMAYEy9AS
— Lando (@AtuwaStudios) February 17, 2018
And here is the reason of the earthy tone of the costumes.
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
It was the hard work of these two women, Ruth Carter and Hannah Beachler, who spent months to research for the film and draw cultural references. We sure see them winning many awards this season.
The Black women who spent months researching & making #Wakanda come to life. Ruth Carter- costume designer and Hannah Beachler- production designer. #BlackPanther#Wakandapic.twitter.com/F3v8GfmuQR
— Waris (@diasporicblues) February 17, 2018
Well, you have Twitter user @diasporicblues for the awesome thread. Black Panther for the win!
![Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10: Nia Sharma looks bright as a daffodil in her little yellow dress; Karan Johar shows his love for Black Panther [View Sneak Peek]](https://st1.bollywoodlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/MicrosoftTeams-image-1514.jpg "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10: Nia Sharma looks bright as a daffodil in her little yellow dress; Karan Johar shows his love for Black Panther [View Sneak Peek]")
