How Are Wakanda And Talocan Actually Really Similar?

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is going to be pitting Wakanda against the empire of Talocan. We are going to see Namor unleash his wrath on

By Chandraboli Majumdar
October 4,2022
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Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is going to be pitting Wakanda against the empire of Talocan. We are going to see Namor unleash his wrath on Wakanda and flood it with water. In fact, the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever official trailer shows Namor facing off with Queen Ramonda herself. We also see Shuri as Black Panther in action along with Okoye, Aneka, Nakia and Ironheart. But Wakanda and Talocan are actually quite similar to one another. Despite being on opposite sides of the “eternal war”, they share several similarities that we will be listing now.

1. They are both empires with royal families

Queen Ramonda and Namor in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer
Queen Ramonda and Namor in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer

Both Wakanda and Talocan are empires with royal families. Talocan is ruled by Namor the Sub-Mariner. We also get to see his cousin Namora. On the other hand, Wakanda is ruled and protected by Black Panther and Queen Ramonda. Before T’Challa took the mantle of Black Panther, Wakanda was led by his father T’Chaka. The royal family also consisted of Shuri, N’jobu and N’Jadaka. The two kingdoms also had their armies as we have seen in the trailer. Wakanda has the Dora Milaje and it seems like Talocan has its own troops as well.

2. Wakanda and Talocan are rooted in ancient culture and mythology 

T'Challa mural showing the culture of Wakanda
T’Challa mural showing the culture of Wakanda

Both Wakanda and Talocan empires are rooted in ancient mythology, history, heritage and culture. Wakanda is inspired by African heritage and culture. Ryan Coogler says that it was inspired by the Kingdom of Lesotho. The Wakandan alphabet has also been derived from symbols based in Nigeria. The films also use West African Adinkra symbols. Lastly, Black Panther is heavily influenced by Egyptian Gods and Mythology.

Namor paints murals on a wall in Talocan
Namor paints murals on a wall in Talocan

On the other hand, Talocan is inspired by Mayan heritage. and culture. It is inspired from Aztec mythology. For both kingdoms, the costumes too are inspired by their respective cultures.

3. They are advanced civilizations hidden from the world

They both have advanced weaponries and technology
They both have advanced weaponries and technology

The Director of Black Panther, Ryan Coogler, has compared both Wakanda and Talocan to El Dorado. He says that both Kingdoms are very advanced civilizations that are hidden from the rest of the world. Only recently was Wakanda opened to the world. The only difference is that Wakanda is above water while Talocan is under the sea. So, Talocan that has still remained hidden from the rest of the world, did not appreciate the fact that humans were invading their Kingdom. And that’s what leads to the eternal war in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. They are both also pretty advanced civilizations especially when compared to humanity. Their technology, resources and weapons are much more evolved and advanced.

4. Both of their Gods have blessed their protectors and avatars 

Black Panther and Namor blessed by Bast and Feathered Serpent God
Black Panther and Namor blessed by Bast and Feathered Serpent God

This is a very unique similarity between Wakanda and Talocan. Black Panther of Wakanda is blessed by the powers and blessings of Bast, the Egyptian Panther Goddess. She is one of the most powerful deities who is worshipped and revered by the people of Wakanda. Black Panther derives his power from Bast and is an Avatar of her on earth. Similarly, Namor too is blessed by an Aztec Mayan God. During the official trailer of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, M’Baku played by Winston Duke mentions how the people of Talocan refer to Namor as Kukulkan or the Feathered Serpent God instead of King or ruler. Now, this does not exactly mean that Namor himself is a God. Instead, Namor is probably blessed and empowered by Kukulkan or the Feathered Serpent God much like Bast and Black Panther.

This is an especially important similarity. The MCU is already trying to introduce Gods on the big screen with Moon Knight. Then during Thor: Love and Thunder, we saw an entire pantheon of Gods and Goddesses in Omnipotence city. Soon Marvel Studios will also have Hercules on the big screen. Black Panther 2 seems like the perfect opportunity to introduce Mayan Gods to the MCU.