| For alternate versions of the Golden Tribe, see the Golden Tribe's Organization Hub |
The Golden Tribe, also called the Panther Tribe, is a Wakandan tribe formed by the relatives and heirs of Bashenga.
History[]
Rulers of Wakanda[]
- "The warrior became King and the first Black Panther, the protector of Wakanda. Four tribes agreed to live under the king's rule."
- ―T'Chaka[src]
Bashenga unites the Wakandan Tribes under the Golden Tribe's rule
In the millennia which predated the creation of Wakanda, several tribes fought against each other for control over the region's vibranium deposits. A warrior-shaman named Bashenga received a vision from the panther goddess Bast, which led him to the Heart-Shaped Herb. Becoming the first Black Panther, Bashenga united four of the tribes under his rule, with the exception of the Jabari Tribe, who formed a micronation in the mountains. Bashenga established the kingdom of Wakanda, with his people's clan calling themselves Golden Tribe in deference to him.[1]
Betrayal in the Family[]
Over the course of a War Dogs assignment, Prince N'Jobu fathered a son with an American woman and grew extremely sensitive to the oppression of people of African descent in the United States of America and in the rest of the world. In order to liberate them, N'Jobu plotted with Ulysses Klaue to steal Vibranium from Wakanda so they could provide the oppressed with Vibranium weapons.
However, N'Jobu's betrayal was discovered by his brother and King, T'Chaka, who went to confront N'Jobu to order him to go back to Wakanda to face justice. But N'Jobu denied the accusations, so T'Chaka called for N'Jobu's friend 'James' to reveal himself as Zuri, and confirmed N'Jobu's treason. Enraged, N'Jobu threatened to kill Zuri upon discovering that he had spied on him all along. On instinct to stop him, T'Chaka felt forced to kill his own brother with a claw grip to the chest before leaving. N'Jobu's son Erik (N'Jadaka), although theoretically a member of the Golden Tribe of royal extraction, was left behind in Oakland and T'Chaka and Zuri never spoke of him to anyone.[1]
A New King[]
T'Chaka is killed during the Bombing of the Vienna International Centre
- "The Black Panther has been the protector of Wakanda for generations. A mantle, passed from warrior to warrior. And now, because your friend murdered my father, I also wear the mantle of King."
- ―T'Challa to Steve Rogers[src]
In 2016, both King T'Chaka and Prince T'Challa journeyed to Vienna in order to attend a ceremony confirming the signing of the Sokovia Accords by some Avengers, to create a regulating body for the superhero group. However, the Vienna International Centre was attacked by Helmut Zemo, resulting in the death of T'Chaka. With the Winter Soldier having been framed for the attack, T'Challa then wore his adornment of the Black Panther, and chased the Winter Soldier for revenge. However, Steve Rogers prevented him at each encounter, and over the course of his pursuit he was always stopped before he could kill Barnes. In the end, T'Challa stalked Stark to Siberia and upon hearing Zemo confess to the bombing as part of his plan, he discovered that Barnes was innocent. While Stark attacked Rogers and Barnes over a dark revelation, T'Challa found Zemo outside contemplating. Upon his confronting Zemo, who sorrowfully explained his reason, T'Challa realized Zemo and the Avengers were consumed by their motives for vengeance, and thusly gave up on the hate he felt towards his father's killer. T'Challa then prevented Zemo's suicide to turn him over to the authorities to face justice for his crimes of terror.[2]
T'Challa arrives for his incoronation
One week following T'Chaka's death, T'Challa became the new leader of the Golden Tribe. While he and Shuri welcomed Captain America and the Winter Soldier into Wakanda, to give Barnes a chance at finding peace, T'Challa also prepared to be the new King of Wakanda. His incoronation soon took place in the presence of the other known members of the Golden Tribe: Queen Mother Ramonda and Princess Shuri.
T'Challa bests M'Baku in ritual combat for the throne.
Despite no challengers of the other tribes coming forth when offered the chance to take the throne in Ritual Combat, the Jabari Tribe led by M'Baku arrived and challenged T'Challa, who then defeated him. This resulted in the throne remaining in the hands of the Golden Tribe, and a partial dialogue reopened with the Jabari micro-nation. Following his coronation, T'Challa was taken to the Temple of the Heart-Shaped Herb where he underwent the ritual to enter the Ancestral Plane and was reunited with his father T'Chaka's spirit, asking him for advice regarding his future reign.
T'Challa knocked down after Killmonger frees Klaue
Days later, T'Challa's first challenge as a King came with Ulysses Klaue, who had resurfaced after years of failure from T'Chaka to apprehend him, and his involvement with the Sokovia incident. Knowing that many Wakandans, such as W'Kabi, had grown dissatisfied with the Golden Tribe's inability to capture Klaue, T'Challa decided to go into Seoul, South Korea to arrest Klaue alongside Okoye and Nakia, with Shuri supporting from her lab. But due to public witnessing, T'Challa was compelled as a foreign leader to abide by international laws and have Klaue in custody of the CIA/Interpol jurisdiction. However, despite their best efforts and the assistance of Everett Ross, Klaue escaped with the aid of a masked mercenary, wearing a ring of the crown prince. T'Challa saw this from afar, and later confronted Zuri for the truth, learning of his American-born cousin, abandoned to keep Wakanda hidden. Knowing this, if the Elders learn of N'Jobu's heir, it could cause a rift in Wakanda.[1]
Return of a Prince[]
Erik Killmonger arrives in Wakanda
- "I'm exercising my blood right to challenge for the mantles of King and Black Panther."
"Do not do this, T'Challa."
"As the son of Prince N'Jobu, he is within his rights." - ―Erik Killmonger, Ramonda and M'Kathu[src]
Having failed to keep Ulysses Klaue in custody, T'Challa and Shuri returned to Wakanda. Nevertheless, the Golden Tribe soon had another challenge to face as the mercenary Erik Killmonger arrived in Wakanda with Klaue's deceased body. Meeting with the rest of the Golden Tribe in the Citadel's throne room, Killmonger revealed his true identity: N'Jadaka, son of late Prince N'Jobu.
Erik Killmonger becomes the new King of Wakanda
As a member of the Golden Tribe of royal blood, N'Jadaka was entitled to challenge T'Challa for the throne of Wakanda, which he did. Another incoronation ceremony was held, and after a violent duel in which Zuri died, T'Challa was seemingly killed by N'Jadaka much to Ramonda's horror. As N'Jadaka was crowned King, the other members of the Golden Tribe Ramonda and Shuri were forced to go into exile to avoid the new King's revenge.[1]
Family Conflict[]
T'Challa and Shuri decide to retake the throne from Erik Killmonger
Having lost their position within the royalty, Shuri and Ramonda, accompanied by Nakia and Everett Ross, went to Jabari Land, where M'Baku revealed that T'Challa was actually still alive: after falling from the Warrior Falls, he had been rescued by a Jabari fisherman. Thanks to the last Heart-Shaped Herb salvaged by Nakia, Ramonda was able to revive her unconscious son, who decided to retake the throne from Erik Killmonger. While unconscious, T'Challa also returned to the Ancestral Plane and confronted T'Chaka's about his abandonment of N'Jadaka, which had caused Killmonger's attack. T'Challa resolved to end his Golden Tribe's ancestors policy of hiding Wakanda to the rest of the world.
While his family was away, Killmonger seized the resources of Wakanda. He notably intended to send Vibranium made weapons all around the world to trigger a global revolution.
T'Challa returns to confront Erik Killmonger
Despite M'Baku's refusal to help the Golden Tribe, both T'Challa and Shuri returned to Mount Bashenga to face Killmonger while Ramonda remained safe in Jabari Land. T'Challa confronted Killmonger on the field, which soon triggered a battle between the Border Tribe who followed Killmonger and the Dora Milaje who sided with the Golden Tribe. Shuri joined the battle as well, and thanks to the reinforcements of the Jabari Tribe who eventually agreed to support T'Challa, the Golden Tribe was victorious: the Border Tribe surrendered and T'Challa defeated Killmonger during the Battle of Mount Bashenga.
Facing death, Killmonger refused to be healed and chose to have his body thrown into the sea where many African people had died to avoid slavery. T'Challa then returned as the rightful King of Wakanda, with Shuri still at his side. The Golden Tribe then carried on its rule over Wakanda. Knowing that Killmonger's attack was partly a consequence of Wakanda's isolationist policy, T'Challa and Shuri worked to open Wakanda to the rest of the world.[1]
Loss of Two Members[]
- "How are we looking?"
"You will have my King's Guard, the Border Tribe, the Dora Milaje." - ―Black Widow and T'Challa[src]
In 2018, the Golden Tribe became involved in the Infinity War and gave their support to the Avengers. Shuri was tasked with working on safely extracting the Mind Stone from Vision's head while T'Challa gathered his Wakandan Royal Guard, the Border Tribe, the Jabari Tribe, and the Dora Milaje to fight against the Black Order and their Outriders. During the subsequent battle, T'Challa valiantly fought against the Outriders, taking down many of them.
Shuri carefully works to separate Vision and the Mind Stone
In the meantime, Shuri worked on removing the Mind Stone, but she was attacked by Corvus Glaive, forcing her to pause her work so she could defend herself. Glaive ultimately defeated her and Vision escaped. However, when Thanos personally came, T'Challa was one of the heroes who fought him but was easily defeated.
When Thanos used the Infinity Gauntlet with all the Infinity Stones to wipe out half of all life in the universe, T'Challa and Shuri were among the countless victims, leaving Ramonda as the only surviving member of the Golden Tribe.[3]
Leadership in Disarray[]
As the royal line was legitimately gone, Wakanda had to reform its governing policies and international interactions. From 2018 to 2023, Ramonda was the only living member of the Golden Tribe and worked with Wakanda's governing leadership to distract herself from her grief.[4]
Reunion[]
T'Challa and Shuri returned, alongside Okoye to aid the Avengers
In 2023, T'Challa and Shuri were restored to life. Through T'Challa and Shuri, the Golden Tribe took an active part in the ensuing battle against the forces of an alternate Thanos, who were ultimately annihilated, thus enabling Ramonda to be reunited with her children. The three members of the Golden Tribe then celebrated their victory together, alongside their revitalized homeland now jubilant with the returned population.[4]
Visiting Assata[]
Shuri was very impressed with Assata's scientific abilities, so she invited Assata to join the Wakandan Design Group. However, Assata chose instead to follow her dream of joining the Dora Milaje. Shuri understood her decision and told Ramonda about it. Weeks into Assata's training, Shuri and Ramonda visited Assata and commended her for following her dreams, assuring Assata that the world would know her name.[5]
Passing of T'Challa[]
T'Challa's coffin beamed up onto the Royal Talon Fighter at his funeral
In 2024, T'Challa passed away from an incurable disease, despite Shuri's best efforts to recreate the Heart-Shaped Herb, in a failed attempt to cure him with its healing properties. Following his passing, Ramonda once again reassumed her mantle as Queen of Wakanda. Ramonda and Shuri would attend T'Challa's funeral alongside a mourning Wakanda, where his coffin was ultimately beamed up onto the Royal Talon Fighter following a procession through the city.[6]
Loss of the Queen[]
To be added[6]
A New Panther[]
To be added[6]
Members[]
Current Members[]
Shuri[]
- Name: Shuri
- Status: Alive
- Activity
- As Black Panther: 2025-present
- Description: Shuri is the Princess of Wakanda, younger sister of T'Challa and daughter of T'Chaka and Ramonda. A genius-level inventor and the creator and innovator of much of Wakanda's modern technology, she was tasked with helping the Winter Soldier to get rid of his mental programming. Shuri acted as a valuable to her brother when he was crowned King of Wakanda, assisting him during his mission to apprehend Ulysses Klaue. Shuri healed a heavily wounded Everett Ross when he was brought to Wakanda by T'Challa. Like her mother, she was forced to exile when Erik Killmonger took the throne of Wakanda and seemingly killed T'Challa. Shuri was reunited with her brother in Jabari Land and decided to fight along her brother. She confronted Killmonger, who defeated her, but she was saved by T'Challa and assisted him in her duel against his opponent. Following T'Chaka's victory, Shuri was appointed head of the science and technology transfer when her brother decided to open Wakanda to the rest of the world. During the Infinity War, Shuri worked on extracting the Mind Stone from Vision, but she was attacked by Corvus Glaive before she could complete her work. Shuri was one of the numerous victims of Thanos when he wiped out half of all life in the universe. She was later revived in 2023 by the Hulk using the Infinity Gauntlet and joined the battle against Thanos' army alongside the Avengers. Following their victory, she alongside her brother and Okoye, attended Tony Stark's funeral and returned to Wakanda. Shuri later took up the mantle of Black Panther after re-engineering the Heart Shaped Herb. She becomes Queen upon the death of her mother, but does not attend her coronation where M'Baku challenges for the throne, winning by default.
Deceased Members[]
Ramonda[]
- Name: Ramonda
- Status: Deceased
- Activity:
- Description: Ramonda was the Queen Mother of Wakanda, widow of the late king T'Chaka and mother of T'Challa and Shuri. She supported her son after the death of T'Chaka, acting as one of his advisors. When N'Jadaka returned to Wakanda and seized the throne of Wakanda, seemingly killing T'Challa, Ramonda went into exile to Jabari Land. There she discovered that her son was still alive and she used the powers of the Heart-Shaped Herb to help him recover. Ramonda then remained in Jabari Land until T'Challa defeated N'Jadaka. Ramonda survived the Snap and became Queen regnant due to both her children being killed in it. 5 years later both of them would be returned to life. She became Queen regnant once again following T'Challa's untimely demise due to an undisclosed illness. She was killed during Namor's attack on Wakanda.
T'Challa[]
- Name: T'Challa
- Status: Deceased
- Activity:
- Description: T'Challa was the latest King of Wakanda, older brother of Shuri and son of T'Chaka and Ramonda. He was also the latest holder of the Black Panther mantle. He witnessed the death of his father during the Bombing of the Vienna International Centre and swore to exact revenge on the Winter Soldier who had been framed for the attack. T'Challa ultimately discovered that the responsible party was Helmut Zemo and turned him over to the U.N. authorities. Returning to Wakanda, T'Challa was crowned King of Wakanda. He attempted to arrest the criminal Ulysses Klaue, but he failed and soon had to deal with the return of his cousin N'Jadaka, who overthrew T'Challa and left him for dead. T'Challa was rescued by the Jabari Tribe and later by the rest of his family who had gone into exile. With their help, T'Challa returned to confront N'Jadaka. He successfully defeated him during the Battle of Mount Bashenga and reclaimed the throne of Wakanda. T'Challa later engaged his Wakandan troops in the Infinity War, fighting the Outriders alongside many Avengers. However, T'Challa was one of the numerous victims of Thanos when he wiped out half of all life in the universe. Five years later, he was resurrected by the Hulk who had used the Infinity Gauntlet to bring back everyone that Thanos disintegrated and joined the battle against his army. Following their victory and Tony Stark's funeral, T'Challa returned to Wakanda to resumed his duties as king, eventually passing away.
Bashenga[]
- Name: Bashenga
- Status: Deceased
- Activity:
- As King: ~7,000 BCE
- As Black Panther: ~7,000 BCE
- Description: Bashenga was the founder of the Golden Tribe and the first King of Wakanda and Black Panther. He united the Wakandan Tribes under his rule, except for the Jabari Tribe, and both the titles of King of Wakanda and Black Panther were passed down to his descent.
Azzuri[]
- Name: Azzuri
- Status: Deceased
- Activity:
- As King: Early-20th Century - Late-20th century
- As Black Panther: Early-20th Century - Late-20th century
- Description: Azzuri was the former King of Wakanda, father of T'Chaka and N'Jobu, and the former holder of the Black Panther mantle. He wore two rings, which he bequeathed onto his sons upon their coming of age, signifying their right to the throne. These rings then made their way through tragic circumstances to T'Challa from T'Chaka in Vienna, and N'Jadaka from N'Jobu in Oakland.
T'Chaka[]
- Name: T'Chaka
- Status: Deceased
- Activity:
- Description: T'Chaka was the former King of Wakanda, husband of Ramonda, father of T'Challa and Shuri, and the former holder of the Black Panther mantle. During his tenure as King, T'Chaka killed his own brother N'Jobu to stop him from murdering Zuri and left behind N'Jobu's son N'Jadaka. T'Chaka was one of many world leaders to approve the Sokovia Accords and was killed in a terrorist attack orchestrated by Helmut Zemo.
N'Jobu[]
- Name: N'Jobu
- Status: Deceased
- Description: N'Jobu was the brother of T'Chaka, uncle of T'Challa and Shuri, and father of N'Jadaka. A member of the War Dogs, he opposed Wakanda’s isolationist nature and was willing to share his nation’s technology with people of African descent around the world after witnessing the oppression they endured, but he was confronted and eventually killed by his own brother.
N'Jadaka[]
- Name: N'Jadaka / Erik Stevens
- Status: Deceased
- Activity:
- Description: N'Jadaka was the son of N'Jobu, nephew of T'Chaka and cousin of T'Challa and Shuri, but born and raised as “Erik Stevens” in the United States of America instead of Wakanda. After finding his father dead by his uncle T'Chaka one night, he swore revenge and worked his way through the United States Navy and became a renowned black ops operative, brutally earning the name "Killmonger" through unusually high number of kill counts on the field. N'Jadaka would eventually go to Wakanda to exact revenge on T'Chaka's family and claim the title and throne he perceived he was robbed of. Although N'Jadaka successfully overthrew his cousin and seemingly killed him, T'Challa returned and confronted N'Jadaka. After a fierce Battle of Mount Bashenga, N'Jadaka was killed by T'Challa. But he refused medical treatment, choosing death instead of imprisonment and losing his freedom.
Cultural Traits[]
The Golden Tribe descend from the first king of Wakanda, Bashenga. The bloodline has a spiritual connection to the panther goddess Bast, as well as relative immunity of the Heart-Shaped Herb's toxic elements. Anyone else may challenge to the title for the throne, but it takes someone worthy enough to ingest the Heart-Shaped Herb and survive. Given Wakanda was isolationist for the vast majority of its history, many Wakandans share some minute percentage of royal blood to survive the Herb; thus, if a citizen does claim victory through a challenge and they have enough royal heritage, they could live through the process of becoming a Black Panther.
The title of Black Panther is usually passed from parent to child in the line of succession, predominantly to the first born of each generation. The Black Panther serves first as protector of Wakanda, then as ruler once the previous leader abdicates or dies. In T'Challa's case, his father's assassination made him king and protector, forcing him to fulfill both roles and balance their respective duties. This tradition stems from Bashenga as Black Panther, acting as protector and king until he had to pass the role to his firstborn.
The Golden Tribe, while the direct line of Bashenga, also have lineage to all tribes in Wakanda, having intermarried with members of the River, Merchant, Mining, and Border Tribes over the generations. The royal family, then, is kin to all within the homeland.
Family Tree[]
|
| Andile x Woman |
|
| Bazwale x Woman |
|
| Yima x Woman |
|
| Kabba x Woman |
|
| Azzuri x Woman |
| T'Chaka | N'Jobu |
| Ramonda x T'Chaka | N'Jobu x Erik Killmonger's Mother |
| T'Challa | Shuri | N'Jadaka |
| Nakia x T'Challa | T'Challa II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances[]
Trivia[]
- The Golden Tribe's traditional color is black, with its sigil being an African symbol for "sun".[7]
