| For alternate versions of the River Tribe, see the River Tribe's Organization Hub |
- "The River Tribe will not challenge today."
- ―River Tribe Elder to Zuri[src]
The River Tribe is one of the five tribes of Wakanda that includes the Wakandan Navy.
History[]
Early History[]
The River Tribe was one of the five tribes which fought against one another following the fall of the Vibranium meteorite in what became Wakanda. When Bashenga, the first Black Panther, put an end to the conflict, the River Tribe agreed to pledge fealty to the Golden Tribe.[1]
New King[]
The River Tribe during the Incoronation of T'Challa
The River Tribe attended the Incoronation of T'Challa. The River Tribe, much like almost all the other tribes, chose not to challenge T'Challa for the throne. They then watched as T'Challa dueled against and defeated the Jabari Tribe leader M'Baku and cheered upon T'Challa's victory.[1]
Erik Killmonger's Revolution[]
The River Tribe Elder witnesses as Killmonger confronts his family
When Erik Killmonger arrived in Wakanda and claimed the throne, he taunted T'Challa so that the King would ask his real name. T'Challa refused, and it was the River Tribe Elder who asked Killmonger, who revealed to be N'Jadaka, a member of the Golden Tribe. The River Tribe then watched the duel between T'Challa and N'Jadaka and was forced to pledge fealty to the new King N'Jadaka. T'Challa returned, however, and the River Tribe agreed to follow him when he got the throne back.[1]
Talokanil-Wakandan War[]
First Encounter with Namor[]
River Tribe guards questioned by the Tribal Council
Following the attack on the Harvey Sub-Sea, Namor, angered at Wakanda for exposing vibranium to the world and compromising Talokan, intruded upon Wakanda through the waters, sneaking past its defenses. He threatened Queen Ramonda and Princess Shuri into cooperation, before leaving Wakanda. The next day, the River Tribe Elder attended a meeting with the Tribal Council, deliberating their next course of action, where River Tribe guards were questioned, and subsequently mocked by M'Baku.[2]
Cultural Traits[]
Like all the other tribes, except the Jabari Tribe, the River Tribe reveres the Panther Goddess Bast. Members of the River Tribe traditionally wear green clothes. Additionally, male individuals can wear a lip plate, a disc inserted in a hole pierced in the enlarged bottom lip.
Appearances[]
In chronological order:
Trivia[]
- The River Tribe's traditional color is green, with river and shell-based textures on the fabric of their habits.[3]
- The River Tribe wear crocodile skins and leather.
- The River tribe has influences loosely based on the Suri and Mursi Tribes of Ethiopia.
Behind the Scenes[]
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever introduces for the first time the Wakandan Navy, which Hannah Beachler and Ryan Coogler decided should be the River Tribe.[4]
