Warning: the following contains spoilers for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, now playing in theaters.
The new Black Panther film strikes at the heart-shaped herb of the property's greatest theme: legacy. This is embodied in the title of Black Panther itself, as its mantle represents more than just a costume. Long before T'Challa or even his parents ruled Wakanda, there were others with reigns of their own, just as there were former Black Panthers.
The title of Black Panther goes back centuries, with the original man to go by this moniker appearing to unify Wakanda in the distantly ancient past. Though it only does so briefly, the new movie gives a bit more detail about this figure, whose bloodline continues throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe to this day. Here is what MCU fans need to know about the first person to go by the name "Black Panther."
Wakanda's First Black Panther and the Golden Tribe
.jpeg?q=50&fit=crop&w=750&dpr=1.5)
As shown in Wakanda Forever, the first Black Panther to ever act as guardian of Wakanda was a warrior named Bashenga, who was born around 7984 BC. Though Wakanda would later be known for technological development, this was still far off, with Bashenga being a more mystical shaman. During his time, the Wakanda people were disjointed, warring with each other in separate tribes for the control of the alien vibranium metal. To end this bloodshed, the goddess Bast gave Bashenga a vision, leading him to find the mysterious heart-shaped herb and become empowered as his descendants would.
These powers include enhanced physical abilities and a regenerative healing factor, making the first Black Panther far more than just a man. Seeing Bashenga's might, four of the five tribes of Wakanda agreed to live under his rule as he reigned over the country. The only tribe that opted out of this was the Jabari Tribe, of whom M'Baku would be a member generations later. The Mount Bashenga would be named after this great king, and his descendants would be known as the Panther Tribe, a.k.a. the Golden Tribe.
How T'Challa and Shuri are Related to Bashenga
The Golden Tribe is made up of the heirs and descendants of Bashenga himself, with their ranks including T'Challa, his parents T'Chaka and Ramonda, his sister Shuri and his son T'Challa II. This gives the former and current Black Panthers a direct link to the original, though Ramonda was only "related" to him through marriage. Thus, it is T'Chaka and not the two heirs' mother who is a descendant of Bashenga. Erik Killmonger was also part of this bloodline, even if his place in the family tree was largely ignored for most of his life.
Since the rule of Bashenga, the Black Panther title has been a hereditary one. At the same time, those who wish to act as Wakanda's guardian must earn the right. T'Challa's young son Toussaint -- whose real name is T'Challa II -- would thus be able to claim the title as his own when he becomes an adult, but only after he had rightfully won it. If this were to take place, it would ensure that Bashenga's bloodline continued to be the ones with the mantle of Black Panther.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is now playing in theaters.