Opinion: Is Madagascar the envisioned Wakandan City in "Black panther

Opinion:  Is Madagascar the envisioned Wakandan City in "Black panther"?

                                      Fwang'an Jerry Bako.

Wakanda is a fictional city created by marvel,in the film "Black panther" as one of the Avengers series.

Black panther is directed by Ryan Coogler, featuring Chadwick Bossman as Tchala, who is the Black panther,a super hero and the king of the wakandans.

This is the first super hero film that characterises and celebrates the Black Man as a hero; unlike what was obtained in the early days of film making(A period when Africans had not ventured into the art of film making). where Africans were misrepresented in almost all the films produced. 

The Films produced in that era were done basically to project the west as superior and the negation of the African culture.For example, films like the "Tarzan" series portray the white man as a hero while the Black Man was seen as being primitive and so needed to be led.Another film that misrepresented Africans was King Solomon's mines; which portray Africans as barbarians who think of nothing but their stomach,as they tried to cook Allan Quartermain,the White man that was caught with his girlfriend on their quest to discover the King Solomon's treasure.

This narrative could be viewed through the lense of colonialism,as the white man appears to be superior over the Black Man.The aforementioned negative portrayal led to so many struggles which freed Africans from the clutches of colonialism and imperialism.

Years after colonialism, Africans and their leaders kept running back to these oppressors for every solution,like medical tourism, education etc.This has made the White man to have a feeling of superiority over the Black Man, because we have little or no confidence in ourselves.

As a post-colonial film ,the director of Black panther,redefines the image of Africa,a wholistic picture devoid of negativity.In the film "Black panther"the land of Wakanda,is the only place that grows vibrenion,the strongest metal on Earth,they posses a technology that is far advanced from any country in the world.In this film,the Black colour is seen as a thing of pride and the Black culture celebrated, a complete shift from the likes of Tarzan and King Solomon's mines, especially when the CIA agent, Everett.k.Ross(Martin Freeman)was shot,his wound was so deep that could lead to his death,but his miracle came when he was taken to Wakanda,he received his healings not in an American hospital,but from a brilliant scientist Shuri, Tchala's sister.

As the world is being ravaged by this pandemic known as Covid-19,so many African countries are waiting for a cure from the west, instead of looking inward,but surprisingly, Madagascar has provided a cure,using the Artemisia plant ( a semblance of the plant vibrenion,in Black panther).Instead of the world to celebrate this massive breakthrough ,what Madagascar is faced with is stiff resistance from the west, through the umbrella of world health organisation.Sadly,some African leaders are inleague with their white Masters.

The miracle and cure for this deadly disease Covid-19,that was imported from the west, will be cured from within,using local solution, no need for medical tourism by any politician,because the west is in a state of confusion.Instead the west will come to Africa for a cure like the CIA agent who was taken to Wakanda for treatment when he sutained a gun shot injury.

Looking inward is the only solution to the perpetual problems faced by Africans.We are blessed with so many mineral and other natural resources that can make us compete with the developed countries.

However,a major cause for concern is that,will there be any objection if this same cure that is found in Madagascar came from America,France or Britain?if Africans don't celebrate one of theirs,or look inward for solution,slavery and colonialism is far from over.

Africa can survive without depending on the west for virtually everything,the dream of Africa being a mega City as projected in the fictional city of Black panther (Wakanda)can be a reality,if we start looking within.

So with the herbal medical breakthrough in Madagascar,can we say "Madagascar is the Wakanda city envisioned in Black panther"?

Fwang'an Jerry Bako.

jerrybako7@gmail.com

Jos Plateau state.