What The "Wakanda Forever" Saying And Salute REALLY Mean To Black Folks

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on the saying "Wakanda Forever" or the use of the word "Wakanda" with or without the "Wakanda Forever" gesture (salute).

Part II presents background about the "Wakanda Forever" saying and gesture.

Part II also explores the meaning/s of the "Wakanda Forever" saying or the use of the word "Wakanda" in comments, tags, or screen names really mean (with or without the "Wakanda Forever" gesture.)

A video clip of three Black Panther actors/actresses explaining and demonstrating the Wakanda forever salute is featured in this pancocojams post.

Comments from online sources are given to support the conclusions that are presented in this post.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/07/examples-of-wakanda-forever-saying-on.html for Part I of this series. Part I presents a compilation of examples of the "Wakanda Forever" saying or the use of the word "Wakanda" (with or without the "Wakanda Forever"gesture) from discussion threads for various YouTube videos that aren't related to the "Black Panther" movie or Black Panther dance challenges.

The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural and linguistic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are associated with the 2018 Black Panther movie. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of the YouTube video that is embedded in this post.
-snip-
Click
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/02/video-examples-of-comments-about-black.html for the 2018 pancocojams post entitled "Video Examples Of & Comments About The Black Panther Movie's "Secret Handshake" & "Wakanda Forever" Salute".

Additional pancocojams posts about the Black Panther movie can be accessed by clicking the Black Panther tag below.

****
BACKGROUND ABOUT THE WAKANDA FOREVER SAYING AND SALUTE
Excerpt #1:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wakanda
"Wakanda is a fictional country located in Sub-Saharan Africa created by Marvel Comics.[1] It is home to the superhero Black Panther. Wakanda first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 (July 1966), and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.[2]

Wakanda has appeared in various media adaptations, including the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Captain America: Civil War (2016), Black Panther (2018), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019).

[...]

Motto "Wakanda forever!"...

****
Excerpt #2
From https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/wakanda-forever
"About
Wakanda Forever is the catchphrase of the fictional African country Wakanda in the Marvel film Black Panther. It is accompanied by a gesture where one folds their close-fisted arms across their chest.

Origin
In Black Panther, released January 10th, 2018, characters would perform the salute in deference to main character T'challa and as a show of solidarity for the land of Wakanda (salute shown below)....

[...]

The catchphrase and gesture spread through popular culture after the success of the film."...
-snip-
Most of this know your meme article focuses on how the writer believes that "Online, Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman's increasingly less-enthusiastic recreations of the pose have led to jokes." There's very little about who says the "Wakanda Forever" catchphrase, who does this gesture/salute, and what the catchphrase and gesture mean.
-snip-
This video isn't the same one that was embedded in that article.

How to do the 'Black Panther' Handshake | All Access



Fandango All Access, Published on May 9, 2018

'Black Panther' stars Chadwick Boseman, Danai Gurira, and Letitia Wright discuss seeing the impact the movie had on the fans and attempt to teach Fandango correspondent Nikki Novak how to properly do the famous T'Challa and Shuri handshake.

****
Excerpt #3
From https://variety.com/video/wakanda-forever-black-panther/ Why Wakanda Forever Is Bigger Than Black Panther [Variety, 2018]
"Coming off the successful February debut of “Black Panther,” some of Marvel fan’s favorite characters from Wakanda are returning to the big screen to join a superhero team in “Avengers: Infinity War.”

Since the film’s release, the phrase “Wakanda forever” from “Black Panther” has taken over social media. Star Winston Duke, who plays M’Baku, told Variety, “It’s taken on a life of its own.”

“Like I’ve always said [about] ‘Black Panther’ — there’s a movie and then there’s the event around the movie that’s something even more than we could’ve imagined,” Duke explained. He said he is “just happy that it’s reaching into a lot of different hearts and a lot of different minds.”...
-snip-
Selected comments from this article's discussion thread are given below.

****
WHAT "WAKANDA FOREVER" SAYING OR THE USE OF THE WORD "WAKANDA" REALLY MEAN (WITH OR WITHOUT THE "WAKANDA FOREVER" GESTURE)
Pancocojams Editor's Note:
Here are my conclusions about what the "Wakanda Forever" saying or the use of the word "Wakanda" really mean/s in comments, tags, or screen names (with or without the "Wakanda Forever" gesture.) I included comments from online sources to support these conclusions.

These points are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.

The saying "Wakanda forever" (or the use of the word "Wakanda" in a sentence or as a tag or screen name) or the "Wakanda forever gesture
1. symbolizes -for Black people in particular- the concept of "Wakanda".

2. expresses and/or celebrates Black pride

3. expresses Black excellence (Black accomplishment/s)

4. expresses and/or celebrates Black unity

5. expresses and/or celebrates Black power

6. expresses love and appreciation for someone who is Black and/or something that is considered Black (such as a "Black" song or a "Black" personal name)

**
7. is a hip handshake, in the same category as many other creative African American handshakes and greeting gestures such as "the dab"

****
COMMENTS THAT SUPPORT THESE CONCLUSIONS
Source #1:
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf_A3_mVLCo
Black Panther 'Wakanda forever' becomes new global salute for empowerment
IBTimes UK, Published on Mar 14, 2018
[publisher's summary] "The 'Wakanda Salute' from Marvel's 'Black Panther' movie has taken on a life beyond the screen. It has become the new symbol for black power. Celebrities and athletes all over the world have started to use the gesture in moments of triumph."
-snip-
Selected comments from that video's discussion thread (with numbers added for referencing purposes only)
1.Amanda Nies, 2018
"People can have their say, but filling the comments with negativity will not gain you any favor. We are all aware that Wakanda is a fictional country with a fictional superhero, but this movie has given us not just positive role models, but a deeper look and respect for African culture. This gesture brings a symbol of empowerment, confidence, and hope to not just the black community, but to everyone regardless."

**
REPLY
2.Orlanzo Telfer, 2018
"Tho wakanda is a fictional country
And black panther a fictional hero..
This movie have given ppl especially black people an appreciation and proudness for African culture that I've never seen before....
We in the west are so use to seeing Africa in poverty it was refreshing to see a positive side to Africa"

**
REPLY
3. Orlanzo Telfer, 2018
"... here's something you don't get black panther isn't all fake....nearly all the clothes are traditional Nigerian clothes..the dancing and even the rituals in it.. wakanda isn't real. .black panther isn't real...but a lot of the movie is based on traditional African culture. ...
And how it's affected reality....it's showing traditional African culture in a positive light..instead of just commercials for poverty and aid......it's showing that traditional African things can be adorn by princely regal ppl"

**
REPLY
4. Orlanzo Telfer, 2018
"...I was born in Jamaica...grew up in England..joined the army traveled the world..lived in Kenya for a year and not living in Florida...that's just to show I haven't been asleep..I get around.....and yes the majority of the images we in the west have of Africa is that of poverty and UNICEF commercials...on to of that again what movies do you see this much black ppl in...answer...hood crime movies... slavery movies....why do you think this movie resonated with so many ppl..cause we haven't seen black ppl in movies.....no it was because of regalness , dignity and light they were shown in.....the movie didn't play to any black trops.....
The was no token black guy..
No deadbeat dad
Objectified hood hoes
Hood life
Slave life
Black ppl money troubles
Chatty gossiping black women..
Name a black trope...this movie didn't do it..."

****
Source #2
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq8eyCn2YZI&t=2s
Wakanda Salute Medley
Anil Yossundara, Published on Mar 13, 2018
Juliet Waithera, 2018
"I feel like black panther came to unite black people.....Wakanda for life so proud"

****
Source #3
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq8eyCn2YZI&t=63s
Wakanda Salute Medley
Anil Yossundara, Published on Mar 13, 2018
[Publisher's summary] "Black Athletes using "Wakanda Forever" Salute to celebrate victories"
1. Juliet Waithera, 2018
"I feel like black panther came to unite black people.....Wakanda for life so proud"

**
REPLY
2. Andrés Martino, 2018
"It came out to unite everyone, heavily implied by Wakanda opening up to the whole world in the ending"

REPLY
3. ROSSINI Productions, 2018
"This should be a black greeting code worldwide. Black only!"

**
REPLY
4. Soumyajit Sarkar, 2018
"It's for everyone , it's a sign of celebration and joy , it has no f&&king* race or color . If a color tag is put into it , then we may as well put a tag on every other cultural and religious festival and go back to the 5th century ."
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.

**
5. Michael Rogers, 2018
"Love the message of unity that this movie expressed and how it sparked a new pride for our people"

**
6. Fred Smith, 2019
"Finally people are proud to be African all around! It's about time.... I wish my grandpa was alive to see this...."

**
7. star, 2019
"Wakandan Salute = the new dab"

**
REPLY
8. PlayMaker : AXØK, 2019
"Yep it's better than the dab"

**
9. Da Prem, 2019
"Wakanda isn't real"

**
REPLY
10. Ajie Afianto, 2019
"you know nothing, jon snow."

**
REPLY
11. maureen .j, 2019
"But the pride and love is"

****
This concludes Part II of this two part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visiting comments are welcome.

Examples Of The "Wakanda Forever" Saying On Various YouTube Discussion Threads That Aren't Related To The Black Panther Movie Related Internet Discussion Threads & Comments

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest update: January 17, 2020

This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series on the saying "Wakanda Forever" or the use of the word "Wakanda" with or without the "Wakanda Forever" gesture (salute).

Part I presents a compilation of examples of the "Wakanda Forever" saying or the use of the word "Wakanda" (with or without the "Wakanda Forever" salute) from discussion threads for various YouTube videos that aren't related to the "Black Panther" movie or Black Panther dance challenges.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/07/what-wakanda-forever-saying-and-gesture.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. Part II presents background about the "Wakanda Forever" saying and gesture.

Part II also explores the meaning/s of the "Wakanda Forever" saying or the use of the word "Wakanda" in comments, tags, or screen names really mean (with or without the "Wakanda Forever" gesture/salute.)

A video clip of three Black Panther actors/actresses explaining and demonstrating the Wakanda forever salute is featured in Part II of this pancocojams series.

The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural and linguistic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are associated with the 2018 Black Panther movie. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Click
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/02/video-examples-of-comments-about-black.html for the 2018 pancocojams post entitled "Video Examples Of & Comments About The Black Panther Movie's "Secret Handshake" & "Wakanda Forever" Salute". A few comments from that post are given in Source #1 of this post.

Additional pancocojams posts about the Black Panther movie can be accessed by clicking the Black Panther tag below.

****
A COMPILATION OF ONLINE "WAKANDA FOREVER" OR "WAKANDA" COMMENTS (WITH OR WITHOUT THE "WAKANDA FOREVER" GESTURE)
Pancocojams Editor's Note
I've come across many more online examples of comments that only consists of the words "Wakanda Forever" or the word "Wakanda" with or without the "Wakanda Forever" gesture from discussion threads that aren't directly connected with the 2018 Black Panther movie or the dance challenges that sprung up in honor of that movie. However, I didn't begin to document all of those examples until fairly recently.

These examples are given in no particular order. Numbers are assigned to these examples for referencing purposes only.

Note that the discussion thread comments that are given as Source #1 are the only ones that aren't from YouTube discussion threads. The original commenter for that discussion thread references the nation of Canada.

The videos whose discussion threads are quoted in this post are about performing artists, athletes, or a specific population from these nations:
Source #1: Black panther salute, filmed in Toronto, Canada
Source #2. South Africa
Source #3: South Africa
Source #4: the United States
Source #5: South Africa
Source #6: Zambia
Source #7: Nigeria
Source #8: the United States
Source #9: Zambia
Source #10: India
Source #11- African dance [mixed with some Jamaican moves] filmed in Paris, France
Source #12- South Africa
Source: #13 -Nigeria
Source: #14 - Uganda
Source #15- Kenya

However, the commenters who are quoted may be from any nation throughout the world.

Source #1
From https://www.resetera.com/threads/black-people-in-toronto-are-doing-the-black-panther-greeting.24341/ "Black People in Toronto are doing the Black Panther greeting..."

[All of the comments from this non-YouTube discussion thread are from Feb 19, 2018.]

1. BlackFyre,
"We are the most culturally diverse city on the planet and I saw people doing the Black Panther / Wakanda greeting in downtown Toronto yesterday. Saw it at a mall and at a restaurant.

I think it's awesome!!!!!"

**
From https://www.resetera.com/threads/black-people-in-toronto-are-doing-the-black-panther-greeting.24341/page-3

2. Cuburger
"Man, people are so down on this for coming from a comic book movie or being trendy or being nerdy or being lame or whatever, but the film has already become a legit cultural phenomenon and this is practically people celebrating this shared moment of positivity with a gesture that is kind of cool. Let people have their fun."

**
3. y2dvd
"I've seen it done irl a few times already. I love it!"
-snip-
"irl" = in real life

**
4. T'Challa Shakur
"Bruh...every black person I know is doing it."
-snip-
Note that this commenter's screen name combines the name of the Black Panther character with the last name of the very well respected Hip Hop artist Tupac.

****
From https://www.resetera.com/threads/black-people-in-toronto-are-doing-the-black-panther-greeting.24341/page-5

5. Bowling Pin
..." I do think the Wakandan greeting can gain traction since it's a simple enough gesture, from an extremely popular movie, to actually catch on with people. We did it a few times yesterday with the group from work I went with, and it didn't feel corny, so...

WAKANDA FOREVER
-snip-
The bold font was originally used in that comment.

****
Source #2:
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhgb60Qsjrs
Miriam Makeba - Click Song (Qongqothwane) (Live)
Miriam Makeba Official Channel, Published on Feb 6, 2015

Professor X, June 2019
"Wakanda forever"

****
Source #3
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU6vQCfGIPg
Passion Drives Us - "Vele Kunzima"
Official Passion Drives Us _ South Africa, Published on Apr 17, 2019
Samantha Jacobs, July 2019
"WAKANDA beautiful holy melodies are these😍😍😍😭😭the chills"

****
Source #4
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjiGBpdmk_I
Black sounding" names and their surprising history
Say It Loud, Published on Jun 27, 2019

[Pancocojams Editor's description: From 6:35-6:50 in this video there's a skit of one of the women who hosts this vlog playing the role of a pregnant Black woman who is reading suggested names for her baby that she pulls one by one out of a large pretend baby bottle.]

“Ooh! Malik Sayid Akan. [raised left fist up below her shoulder and says] "That’s powerful. Giving me Black melinated kings." [continued reading names] "Amala, Aniyah. Giving me regal African princess vibes. Wakanda."

****
Source #5
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W319s4Tvp9Y
Siki Jo-An – ‘The Click Song' | Blind Audition | The Voice SA: Season 3 | M-Net
The Voice South Africa, Published on Feb 10, 2019
1. kwanimu kwanimu, 2019
"Wakanda 4eva"

**
2. Aummani Music ent, 2019
"Wakanda forever"

**
3. Arnulfo Alvarez, 2019
"Wakanda"
-snip-
This is only a few examples of “Wakanda Forever” in this discussion thread. A couple of people wrote that IsiXhosa was the African language that was used in the Black Panther movie which may at least in part account for these comments. For example,
Jonathan, 2019
"Remember the language spoken in Wakanda? This is it--isiXhosa."

****
Source #6
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2lvgKDpiSA
Sampa the Great – Final Form (Official Video)
Sampa The Great, Published on Jun 5, 2019
Evert Taihuttu, 2019
"Instant Classic!! X Wakanda Forever X Peace from London!"

****
Source #7
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puV5jZcTzJI
Yemi Alade - How I Feel (Official Video)
Yemi Alade, Published on Jun 15, 2018
LovelyGgg1 L, 2018
"WAKANDA FOREVER
I WAS DANCIN
MY JALLOF BE GOOD"

****
Source: #8
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq8eyCn2YZI&t=2s
Wakanda Salute Medley
Anil Yossundara, Published on Mar 13, 2018
Black Athletes using "Wakanda Forever" Salute to celebrate victories
1. Saif Ali Khan, 2018
"This symbol is so cool.
Wakanda Forever.
That’s what happens when a movie makes worldwide effect"

**
2. MsFireflygurl, 2018
"Lol this white guy at the corner store near my house did this to me when I was walking up to purchase my things and then before I left he was like, "Wakanda forever" and I was so taken aback. I didn't know if I should've done it back or what. It so was weird! 😂😂"
-snip-
The commenter has a screen photograph of a Black woman.

**
3. Kewin Antony, 2018
"I'm an Indian.... Love it! "WAKANDA FOREVER""

**
4. S Mongoe, 2018
"Love for my People...#Wakanda"

**
5. 12 34, 2018
"Wakanda forever my brutha"

****
Source #9
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDubhAKSeB0
Sampa The Great - Energy (feat. Nadeem Din-Gabisi)
Sampa The Great, Published on Nov 29, 2018
Eric Hahn, 2019
"Wakanda forever!

As a white dude I’m really felling this song the way art culture and Soul blend is 5 stars!"

****
Source #10
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T0kHqa-hVU
Siddis (African Indian) Wedding Party In Jamnagar and in Talala, Gujarat, India
visualpoet1, Published on Nov 17, 2018

1. Wakanda Forever, 2019
"OUR BANTU AFRICANS WHO MIGRATED TO INDIA. we love you. From Tanzania"

****
Source #11
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb8ff55u5zA
Musique et dance, published by Jose Salazar, Apr 20, 2018

1. Juan Ayala, 2019
"Long live wakanda lol"

****
Source #12
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W319s4Tvp9Y
Siki Jo-An – ‘The Click Song' | Blind Audition | The Voice SA: Season 3 | M-Net
The Voice South Africa, Published on Feb 10, 2019

1. kwanimu kwanimu, 2019
"Wakanda 4eva"

**
2. Aummani Music ent, 2019
"Wakanda forever"

**
3. Arnulfo Alvarez, 2019
"Wakanda"

**
4. Jonathan, 2019
"Remember the language spoken in Wakanda? This is it--isiXhosa."

****
Source: #13
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ecl8Aod0Tl0
Burna Boy - On The Low (Official Video), published by Burna Boy, Nov 16, 2018

Prince Mohd, 2020
1. "Africa Stand Up ✊🏾💯🏁 #2020💙 #WakandaForever🙌🏾 @BurnaBoy ✌🏾"

****
Source #14
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jECyKs-l1ok Mpalampalampa by Racheal M; published by Racheal M., Jan 15, 2018
1. Queen Ruth, 2019
"Wakanda/Wakaliga forever"
-snip-
According to Wikipedia, Wakaliga is a poor area in Kampala, Uganda.

**
2. MHD cmd, 2018
"Instruments the band is using is way too advance. Straight out of wakanda lol..the comical elements of music video is off the chain"
-snip-
This comment is facetious as the instruments that the children used in this video are homemade and Wakanda is depicted as a highly advanced futuristic nation.

****
Source #15
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqDde7uCOaM&feature=emb_logo "Just Dance 2020 presents MA ITŪ by Stella Mwangi | Official Music Video |" Ubisoft [US]
1. bolenho, 2019
"Omg wakanda vibes :0"

**
2. Kelvin Juárez, 2019
"Wakanda 4ever"

****
This concludes Part I of this two part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.