The Zulu King Shaka (1787–1828) was known for uniting many tribes within South Africa (by force). He advanced the warfare and weaponry of his armies, making them undefeatable. (Surely he was the inspiration for King T’Chaka, with Chaka the alternative spelling of Shaka.)
The Dora Milaje of Wakanda use long spears, but T’Challa and Killmonger fight with sorter spears, like the ones Shaka developed. Before this development, tribes in Southern Africa used long throwing spears.
Shaka’s armies used body-length cowhide shields. Later, Cetshwayo made them smaller and easier to use in hand to hand combat along with the assegai (short, stabbing spear). You see T’Challa fight with assegai and small shield when challenged by Killmonger.
Zulu warriors would wear sandals, but Shaka made them go barefoot. This was to help them walk softly in order to ambush their enemies. This feels like the inspiration for Shuri making T’Challa trade his sandals for silent shoes, that appear as bare soles.
Beyond King Shaka’s influence, there are other elements of Black Panther with interesting origins.
This stick with a hard knob at the top is called a knobkierie. These were used as weapons and walking sticks by Zulus and Xhosas.
Nakia calls M’baku “Great Gorilla” but everything about the Jabari is very baboon-oriented, from their mountain lair, to their barking, and their grey fur clothing. The only thing gorilla-oriented is M’Baku’s mask. Baboons are ferocious, intelligent, vegetarian (mostly), with a complex social system within troops. And they live isolated up on the Drakensberg, where some of the Wakanda Mountains were filmed. M’Baku thanks Hanuman, the Hindu monkey-god, for his health. (Baboons are monkeys, gorillas are not.)
When T’Challa emerges from to accept challenges, and be named king, he is painted with leopard print on his shoulders. Zulu chiefs wear actual leopard fur around their shoulders. A black panther is actually a melanistic leopard.
How do I know all this? I live in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. KwaZulu means Place of the Zulu. I spent formative years near where King Shaka was born. My nearest airport is named after King Shaka, and I spent many summer holidays at a beach called Chaka’s Rock.
The baboons I know from hiking up into the Drakensberg and being barked at by troops of them.
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