Women of Wakanda: The Powerful Female Characters That Stole the Show in Black Panther
- Joao Nsita
- Oct 7, 2024
- 12 min read
Updated: Sep 24
It’s a Monday afternoon in late September, and a new, more considered mood is beginning to settle over London. The sun is casting a soft, golden light, and the first crisp edge in the evening air is a signal that it’s time to revisit the stories that have not just entertained us, but have fundamentally shifted the cultural landscape. In the vast, sprawling universe of modern superhero cinema, few films have had the seismic, groundbreaking, and culturally significant impact of Marvel’s 2018 masterpiece, Black Panther. And while the film gave us an iconic and noble hero in King T'Challa, the true, revolutionary power of the film, the force that captured the hearts and imaginations of a global audience, was its incredible, unforgettable, and unapologetically powerful women.
The women of Wakanda—Shuri, Nakia, Okoye, and Queen Ramonda—are not sidekicks. They are not damsels in distress. They are not simple love interests. They are the beating heart, the fierce conscience, and the brilliant mind of the most technologically advanced and culturally rich nation on Earth. On social media platforms like TikTok and Pinterest, the "Dora Milaje" aesthetic is a powerful trend, a celebration of strength, of sisterhood, and of Black female power. The character of Shuri has become a global icon, inspiring a new generation of young women to see themselves as leaders in the world of science and technology.
To rank the women of Wakanda is not to pit them against each other, but to celebrate the unique and vital contribution that each one makes to the beautiful, complex tapestry of the film. This is not just a list; it is a deep dive into the characters who stole the show and, in doing so, redefined what it means to be a hero in the superhero genre.
This is your definitive, in-depth guide to the queens, the warriors, the spies, and the geniuses who made Wakanda shine. We will take a deep dive into each of these four incredible characters, presented in descending order, exploring their power, their purpose, and the enduring legacy that has made them some of the most important and beloved figures in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Enjoyed what you read? If you find this article insightful and it helps you appreciate the brilliant artistry of these iconic characters, please consider supporting our work. Your generosity allows us to continue creating and sharing in-depth cultural commentary. You can make a donation by moving your cursor to the top of the article or scrolling down to the bottom. Every little bit helps us spread the love, one article at a time!
Shuri: The Genius Behind Wakanda's Innovations
Why She’s at the Top: While every woman on this list is a powerful and essential icon, the character of Shuri takes the top spot because she is, quite simply, a revolutionary figure. She is a character who represents not just the present, but the future. She is a brilliant, funny, and unapologetically nerdy Black girl who also happens to be the smartest person on the planet, a Disney princess, and a superhero in her own right. She is a joyous, multi-faceted, and incredibly inspiring character who has had a profound and lasting impact on millions of young people around the world. She is, in every sense of the word, the character who stole the show.
The Premise: Shuri, brought to life with a perfect, star-making, and incredibly charismatic performance by Letitia Wright, is the younger sister of T'Challa and the genius-level head of the Wakandan Design Group. She is the Q to his James Bond, the brilliant mind behind all of Wakanda's incredible, futuristic technology. From T'Challa’s kinetic, energy-absorbing Black Panther suit to the nation's advanced medical technology, it is all the product of her incredible, innovative mind.
Why She is an Iconic Figure: Shuri is a game-changing character. In a world, and a genre, where the "tech genius" is almost exclusively portrayed as a white man, the character of a young, brilliant, and hilarious Black woman is a powerful and vital piece of representation. She has become a global role model, a character who has inspired a new generation of young girls, and particularly young Black girls, to see themselves as leaders in the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths). But she is not just "the smart one." She is also hilarious, a loving sister who delights in teasing her stoic, older brother, and a brave and capable warrior in her own right. The journey she undergoes in the sequel, Wakanda Forever, where she is forced to step into her brother's shoes and to become the new Black Panther, is one of the most powerful and moving character arcs in the entire MCU. For more on the importance of representation in STEM, the Women in STEM website is a fantastic resource.
The Lasting Legacy: The character of Shuri is a true cultural phenomenon. She is a powerful and enduring symbol of Black girl magic, a character who is a perfect blend of intelligence, of humour, and of heart. She is a testament to the power of representation and a joyful, inspiring, and completely unforgettable hero. The show’s complex hero is a fascinating character study, a theme you can explore in our list of the Top 5 Best Movies with an Origin Story. The show’s focus on a powerful family is a key to its success, a theme you can explore in our list of The Top 5 Best Family Movies of All Time.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever on Disney+.
Nakia: The Compassionate Spy Who Fights for Justice
The Vibe: The compassionate, worldly, and fiercely independent spy with a powerful social conscience. She is the woman who challenges a king and, in doing so, changes the course of a nation.
The Character: Nakia, brought to life with a perfect blend of strength and vulnerability by the brilliant Lupita Nyong'o, is a member of Wakanda's elite, international spy network, the War Dogs. She is also T'Challa's former love interest. Unlike many of her fellow Wakandans, she has spent her life in the outside world, and she is driven by a deep and powerful sense of justice and a desire to help those beyond Wakanda's borders. She is a formidable warrior, but her true power lies in her empathy and her unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.
Why She is an Iconic Figure: Nakia is a brilliant and essential subversion of the classic "love interest" trope in a superhero film. She is a fully realised, independent character with her own, powerful motivations and a moral compass that is entirely her own. She is not defined by her relationship with T'Challa; in fact, it is her strong, independent worldview that ultimately challenges and influences him to become a better and more globally-minded leader. Her argument that Wakanda has a moral responsibility to share its resources with the world is the philosophical heart of the film.
The Lasting Legacy: The character of Nakia is a powerful and inspiring role model. She is a testament to the idea that true strength is found not just in physical prowess, but in compassion, in empathy, and in the courage to fight for what is right, even if it means challenging the people you love. She is a character who embodies the idea that a true partner is not someone who just supports you, but someone who challenges you to be the very best version of yourself. This is a key part of building a lasting partnership, a theme central to Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting Married. For a deep dive into the beautiful, Afrofuturist design of the film, the book The Art of Black Panther is an essential read.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream Black Panther on Disney+.
Okoye: The Fierce Protector and Loyal Warrior
The Vibe: The fiercest, most loyal, and most unapologetically badass warrior in all of Wakanda. She is the very embodiment of strength, of duty, and of honour.
The Character: Okoye, played with a legendary, scene-stealing power by Danai Gurira, is the General of the Dora Milaje, Wakanda's elite, all-female royal guard. She is a master of combat, a brilliant military strategist, and a woman who is deeply and unshakably devoted to her king and her country. Her loyalty to the throne is absolute, a principle that is put to the ultimate, soul-crushing test when the villainous Killmonger takes over Wakanda.
Why She is an Iconic Figure: Okoye is, without a doubt, one of the most iconic and beloved characters in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. She is a true, breakout star. Her character is a powerful and glorious celebration of Black female strength. The Dora Milaje are not just "bodyguards"; they are a symbol of Wakanda's power and its unique, matriarchal traditions. Okoye’s iconic fight scenes are some of the best in the MCU, but her true power lies in her unwavering sense of duty and her complex, and often very funny, character. Her relationship with her husband, W'Kabi, and the moment she is forced to choose between her love for him and her loyalty to Wakanda, is one of the most powerful and heartbreaking in the film. For more on the real-life historical inspiration for the Dora Milaje, the Smithsonian Magazine has a fantastic article on the Dahomey Amazons.
The Lasting Legacy: The character of Okoye, and the Dora Milaje as a whole, have had a massive cultural impact. They have become powerful and enduring symbols of Black female empowerment. Okoye is a character who completely subverts the traditional, male-dominated world of the action hero. She is a leader, she is a warrior, and she is, in every sense of the word, a total and complete badass. The show's powerful female lead is a key to its success, a theme you can explore in our list of The Top 5 Best Female-Led Action Movies of All Time.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream Black Panther on Disney+. You can find a range of Okoye and Dora Milaje merchandise, including high-quality action figures, on sites like Hasbro Pulse.
Queen Ramonda: The Wise Matriarch
The Vibe: The wise, regal, and unshakable matriarch. She is the epitome of grace under pressure, the quiet, foundational strength that holds a nation, and a family, together.
The Character: As the Queen Mother of Wakanda, Ramonda is the emotional and moral centre of the royal family. In the wake of her husband King T'Chaka's death, she is a figure of immense grief, but also of incredible, unwavering strength. She is the trusted advisor to her son, the new King T'Challa, and the loving, supportive mother to her brilliant daughter, Shuri. When crisis strikes and the throne is usurped, it is Ramonda who refuses to bow to a new, unjust ruler, and who makes the brave and dangerous journey to seek help, ensuring the survival of her family and the future of her nation.
Why She is an Iconic Figure: Angela Bassett's performance as Queen Ramonda is a masterclass in regal power and profound, emotional depth. She brings a weight, a history, and a powerful, magnetic presence to every single scene she is in. Ramonda is a powerful and vital representation of Black motherhood and matriarchy. She is not a passive, background figure; she is an active and essential political and emotional leader. Her character is a beautiful and powerful exploration of the unique strength that is found in wisdom, in grace, and in the fierce, protective love of a mother.
The Lasting Legacy: The character of Queen Ramonda, and Angela Bassett's phenomenal, Oscar-nominated performance in the sequel, Wakanda Forever, has had a profound cultural impact. She has become a beloved and iconic symbol of Black royalty and matriarchal strength. She is a testament to the fact that power is not always loud and explosive; sometimes, it is the quiet, unwavering, and deeply resilient strength that guides a nation through its darkest hour. The show’s focus on a powerful family is a key to its success, a theme you can explore in our list of The Top 5 Best Movies About Mothers. For more on the incredible career of Angela Bassett, the official Academy Awards database is a great resource for her nominations and wins.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever on Disney+. You can find a range of Queen Ramonda merchandise, including beautiful collectible figures, on the official ShopDisney website.
The Women of Wakanda: Redefining Heroism
What makes the women of Black Panther so remarkable is that they each embody different aspects of heroism. Shuri represents intelligence and innovation, Nakia embodies compassion and justice, Okoye stands for loyalty and strength, and Queen Ramonda symbolizes wisdom and resilience. Together, they create a powerful tapestry of female characters who are not only integral to the plot but also serve as role models for audiences around the world.
The women of Wakanda challenge the traditional roles that women have often been confined to in superhero films. They are not damsels in distress, nor are they merely there to support the male hero. They are leaders, warriors, innovators, and decision-makers. Their strength lies not just in their physical abilities, but in their intelligence, compassion, and unwavering commitment to their people and their ideals.
The impact of these characters extends far beyond the screen. They have inspired countless viewers, particularly young girls, to see themselves as powerful, capable, and worthy of being heroes. The representation of strong, multifaceted Black women in Black Panther was groundbreaking, providing a much-needed counter-narrative to the stereotypes that have often plagued mainstream media.
Conclusion
The women of Wakanda are so much more than just supporting characters; they are the heart, the soul, the conscience, and the brilliant, innovative mind of Black Panther. Through the distinct and powerful characters of Queen Ramonda, of Nakia, of Okoye, and of Shuri, the film presents a beautiful, multi-faceted, and revolutionary portrait of Black female power. They are a testament to the fact that strength comes in many forms—in the quiet, regal wisdom of a matriarch, in the fierce, compassionate idealism of a spy, in the unwavering, loyal courage of a warrior, and in the brilliant, joyful, and world-changing mind of a young scientist.
These are the characters who not only stole the show; they changed the game. They have had a profound and lasting impact on the landscape of popular culture, providing a powerful, inspiring, and much-needed vision of Black women as leaders, as heroes, and as the architects of their own, incredible destiny. Their legacy is a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and a joyful, triumphant, and enduring celebration of the idea that a hero can, and should, look like anyone. Wakanda Forever.
Enjoyed what you read? If you found this article insightful, please consider supporting our work. Your generosity allows us to continue creating and sharing in-depth cultural commentary. You can make a donation by moving your cursor to the top of the article or scrolling down to the bottom. Every little bit helps us spread the love, one article at a time!
Related Articles from That Love Podcast:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is "Wakanda"? Wakanda is a fictional, technologically advanced, and isolationist nation in Africa in the Marvel Universe. It is the home of the Black Panther.
2. What is "Afrofuturism"? Afrofuturism is a cultural aesthetic and philosophy that explores the intersection of the African diaspora with technology and science fiction. The world of Wakanda and the character of Black Panther are one of the most famous and powerful mainstream examples of this.
3. Who are the Dora Milaje? The Dora Milaje are the elite, all-female, personal bodyguards of the Black Panther. They are the most skilled and most fiercely loyal warriors in all of Wakanda.
4. Are the women of Wakanda based on real-life historical figures? The Dora Milaje were inspired by the real-life Dahomey Amazons, an all-female military regiment from the Kingdom of Dahomey (present-day Benin) that existed from the 17th to the 19th century.
5. Where can I watch the Black Panther movies? Both Black Panther and its sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, are available to stream exclusively on Disney+.
6. Who is the director of Black Panther? The film was directed by the brilliant and acclaimed filmmaker, Ryan Coogler, who also co-wrote the screenplay. For more on his incredible work, the IMDb page for Ryan Coogler is a great resource.
7. Why was the representation in Black Panther so important? The film was a groundbreaking moment for representation in Hollywood. It was the first, major, blockbuster superhero film to feature a predominantly Black cast and a Black director. It was a powerful and celebratory showcase of Black culture, of African history, and of Black excellence.
8. What is "STEM"? STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The character of Shuri has become a powerful and inspiring role model for young people, and particularly young girls of colour, to pursue careers in the STEM fields.
9. Are these characters in other Marvel movies? Yes, all four of these characters have appeared in other major Marvel Cinematic Universe films, most notably in the epic, ensemble films Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
10. I love these characters. Where can I find out more about them? The fan-run Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki is an incredible and exhaustive resource for detailed information on every single character, location, and event in the entire MCU.
Comments