People of Wauconda, Illinois have been asked where the vibranium mine is

The fictional character King T’Challa, the current Black Panther warrior, is also the ruler of a fictional country called Wakanda. Wakanda is a high-tech kingdom in Africa posing as a third-world country for many years. While this Marvel Cinematic Universe kingdom is just part of a fantasy, Wauconda, Illinois is very real.

Wakanda vs Wauconda

Since the blockbuster hit, “Black Panther” hit the theaters, people of Wauconda have been getting phone calls asking them if there is actually a vibranium mine there. They are also getting inquiries about Wakanda, and if they are planning to change the name of their town in honor of the hit movie.

Wauconda is just an hour drive away from Chicago, Illinois. The mayor of the town told The Hollywood Reporter about the number of calls they have been getting with people shouting, “Wakanda forever!” At first, she thought that the full moon was out because the people who are calling have been asking about how the locals pronounce the name of the town. After answering them, they would suddenly shout the famous catchphrase of the movie.

The town of fewer than 20,000 people got its name from the language of Kaw and Osage nations. The word is usually written as ‘Wah-Kon-Tah’ similar to the way Wakanda is pronounced.

Is Wakanda appropriative of offensive to native Indians?

Indian Country Today asked a language student and a member of the Osage tribe, Killian Jacobs, about Marvel’s borrowing of the word Wakanda.

He said that he did not find anything offensive about the word. He also added that he has no idea whether the word exists in any African language. He only has deep respect for the way the film highlighted aspects of different African tribes.

'Black Panther' earns 800+ million worldwide

“Black Panther” continues to amaze fans worldwide, as the movie earns its $800+ million mark.

The movie is in its third weekend and still earns more money behind “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Avatar.” The Wakanda hit movie has risen on the all-time domestic blockbuster chart, between two other Disney movies such as “Finding Dory” and “Beauty and the Beast.”

As a matter of fact, seven out of eleven hit movies this year are from Disney, which is already planning how to dominate the silver screen with its impressive lineup of movies up to 2023. Marvel just recently announced their ten untitled films which might include one or two “Black Panther” sequels.