African Diaspora
The totality of people of African descent living in places other than Africa. The word ‘diaspora’ can be used generally to refer to any group of people spread over different parts of the world.
Afrofuturism
An artistic movement which imagines science fiction settings with distinctly African aesthetics and sensibilities. Popular examples include the writing of Octavia Butler, the music of Sun Ra, and the paintings of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Alienation
Being separated or excluded from something to which you should theoretically belong. Can also be used to describe the personal disillusionment felt as a result of this experience. Killmonger is “alienated” from his Wakandan identity due to growing up in the U.S.
Arms Dealer
A person who buys and sells weapons on a large scale. Can work legally or illegally. Often seen as unscrupulous for profiting off of war.
Bast
An ancient Egyptian cat goddess. In the film, functions as the panther goddess worshipped by Wakandans who is said to have sent a vision to the first Black Panther.
CGI
Short for “Computer Generated Images,” any visual in the film that was created or changed using computer software.
Colonialism
The practice of countries taking over all or parts of other countries for the purpose of extracting resources and land for their own citizens. Much of Africa spent several hundred years under the destructive colonial rule of European countries.
Coups
Short for “coup d’etat,” a French term meaning “a blow to the state.” A coup occurs when a government is overthrown or seized by force.
Dora Milaje
The all female royal guard of the king of Wakanda.
Heart-shaped Herb
A plant infused with vibranium that grants the power of the Black Panther when eaten and also allows passage into the Ancestral Plane.
Isolationism
A diplomatic policy wherein a country chooses to interact with the outside world as little as possible. There are different degrees of isolationism, with Wakanda’s application being the most extreme kind.
Kimoyo Beads
Small, vibranium-based beads designed by Shuri that Wakandans bring with them at all times. They are multifunctional, serving as personal devices and combat equipment.
Militia
An organized military group that is not under the command of any country’s government.
Mythologize
To construct a narrative or identity for a person or thing that is meant to elevate it to a higher and more profound status. Related to, but not the same thing as the idea of mythology (as in ancient legends). Wakandans mythologize their country by holding their traditions and culture sacred and immutable, in addition to seeing themselves as a greater country than others.
Radicalization
The process by which a person moves to an extremist political position. This can be an intentional process to recruit people into a political movement or a personal phenomenon which occurs when a person is exposed to new information or traumatic events. In the film, N’Jobu is “radicalized” by observing the oppressive conditions experienced by African Americans.
Third World
A category of country that is relatively impoverished and/or unstable compared to more advanced countries. Can be seen as derogatory towards said countries (the term “developing country” is sometimes used interchangeably, even though they do not completely overlap).
Tracking Shot
When the camera moves to follow the events of a scene. Coogler makes frequent use of these shots during the film’s action scenes, particularly scenes using significant CGI.
Vibranium
In the fictional world of the film, "vibranium" is the strongest matter in the universe and the source of Wakanda’s advanced technology. It arrived by crashing into Wakanda as a meteor in ancient times.
War Dogs
A spy sent by Wakanda to live undercover in various societies outside Wakanda. Generally sent to observe and report on events, but sometimes war dogs intervene directly. Nakia and N’Jobu are both war dogs in the film.
Xhosa
A native African language commonly spoken in South Africa. Used in the film as the native language of Wakanda.
