Widely acclaimed superhero movie by Marvel, Black Panther featured several African cultures and the tribes in the region.
From the body arts to the fashion pieces, Pulse brings to you 11 African tribes, cultures featured in Black Panther.
Mursi and Surma Lip Plates
Lip plates or disks are a form of ceremonial body modification that was used in the movie, Black Panther. They’re best known by the Surma and Mursi tribes in Ethiopia.
Zulu headdress
Queen Ramonda played by Angela Basset in the movie, Black Panther, wears the Zulu headdress. It’s reminiscent of the reed Zulu flared hats or “Isicholos.” in South Africa.
Massai costumes
The Massai community was represented in the Black Panther movie. Many of the costumes have unique and futuristic ornamentation and details. The Maasai people of East Africa live in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania.
Igbo Mask
The Igbo masks known as Mgbedike was worn by Erik Killmonger in a scene in the movie, Black Panther. The 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.
Basotho Blanket
W’Kabi played by Daniel Kaluuya and others in several scenes from the movie, Black Panther, adorned Basotho blankets around their necks. Though the blankets are originally from the Lesotho people.
Ndebele Neck Rings
The Ndebele neck rings were adorned by Shuri and Dora Milaje. The two have outfits with a prominent collar. The South Ndebele peoples of Zimbabwe/South Africa wear neck rings as part of their traditional dress.
Otjize
Many of the costumes worn in the movie have a distinctive red earthy tone. This was done in recognition of 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.
Agbada
Shaman Zuri played by Forest Whittaker 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.
Dogon masks
The Dogon mask were brought into the movie, Black Panther. There was a lot of inspiration taken from the Dogon people. They live in the central plateau region of Mali, in West Africa.
Tuareg scarfs
Many of the characters in the movie, Black Panther, wore large scarves covering their head and face. The scarfs are similar to the ones worn by the Tuareg people. The Tuareg people inhabit an area in North and West Africa.
The Turkana fashion sense
The Turkana people in Kenya had their fashion sense brought into the movie. Other tribes of sartorial inspiration were featured.
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