Black Panther (film) - ritual in film

One of the most prominent aspects to Black Panther was its use of ritual throughout the movie. In Wakanda the ritual rites for the king to become the Black Panther were important to the becoming of this superhero. One of the other aspects of the spiritual journey narrative according to Ewert Cousins is the necessity of a test or tests of one's spiritual powers and or resolve to continue the journey to its conclusion. This was exhibited in the battle scene. In the film T'Challa is the next in line to become king and as part of the ritual process he must give up his powers during a battle where he is challenged for the role of Black Panther. He drinks the cup of humanity and fights against any opposers and if he wins he becomes the Black Panther which is what happens in the film. After the battle T'Challa goes to the sacred place of his ancestors. In order to access this place he must lay down in the garden of the sacred Bashenga flowers and take the the drink of the Black Panther's powers while being buried with sand. During this time he is able to talk with his deceased father who has become of the sacred black panthers in the land of the ancestors. His father represents the guiding figure during T'Challa spiritual journey of becoming Black Panther.

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