Is Black Panther connected to the Hindu deity Hanuman? Everything we know so far

Disclaimer: Religious myths, debunkings, and Black Panther theories are included in this article. Proceed with caution.

The Marvel movies about Black Panther, set in the fictional African country of Wakanda, have been very popular. When the series Eyes of Wakanda starts in August 2025, it will explore more stories about Wakanda. Even before it begins, people are already talking about how Wakanda connects to world myths and the Marvel universe.

One of the most discussed connections is with Hanuman, a Hindu god. In the Black Panther movies, Hanuman is shown as a gorilla god that the Jabari tribe worships. This portrayal caused controversy and was even censored in India. It led to discussions about cultural borrowing and respecting different religions.

Is there a meaningful link between Hanuman and Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)? This connection lies more in the creative decisions and the effort to share deeper cultural elements rather than historical facts. In their adaptations, they did not establish a clear connection between Hanuman from their films and the original Hindu deity. The discussion, however, touches on broader issues of representation, mythology, and cultural respect.

Below, we explore the mythological connections, controversies, and potential implications of Hanuman's presence in Black Panther.

The mythological roots of Hanuman and Wakanda

Hanuman is a well-known Hindu god, often shown as a monkey who is very loyal, strong, and selfless. He is a key figure in the famous epic called the Ramayana, where he helps Lord Rama save his wife, Sita, and becomes a hero.

In the movie Black Panther, Hanuman is shown as a gorilla god that the Black Panther worships. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) takes ideas and images from African stories and adds their own unique twists. On the MCU Fandom website, Hanuman is said to be connected to the strength and identity of the Jabari tribe, similar to how he is seen as a protector and guide in Hinduism.

In a 2018 interview with Vanity Fair, Winston Duke, who plays M'Baku, talked about Wakandans' choice. They are very proud of their own spiritual beliefs instead of following the panther worship. The creators of Wakandan mythology made sure it was carefully designed so it wouldn't mix with colonial ideas and create confusion in the fictional story.

The debate on Black Panther's cultural appropriation

The movie Black Panther has faced a lot of criticism for how it shows Hanuman, which some people think is not respectful of the culture. The film was shown in India in 2018, but the Central Board of Film Certification censored the utterance of Hanuman's name. Critics believe that Marvel's portrayal of this god doesn't make sense for a fictional character.

In 2022, a discussion about this topic came up again on Reddit. A user named @Main-Imagination2051 wondered how Marvel missed this problem.

“Hanuman isn’t a gorilla, and he’s never depicted as such in Hinduism,” the user wrote.

This shows the difference between how the Jabari are portrayed on Black Panther and how the god is usually depicted.

Hanuman had a lot in common with some African gods, like Ghekre, a gorilla god from West African tales. Marvel attempted to create a unique mythology for Wakanda by blending these stories, but they faced a cultural minefield instead.

The significance of representation in the MCU

This whole debacle leads us to questions about how the MCU handles cultural stories. As Eyes of Wakanda approaches, Marvel's efforts to blend real cultural elements with creative storytelling will likely face closer examination.

The new series will go into Wakanda's history, including the tales of T'Challa's ancestors. If handled thoughtfully, it could address and improve upon past concerns. Ryan Coogler, the creative force behind the films, has consistently championed in-depth storytelling that doesn't compromise on the nuances.

His involvement in the Eyes of Wakanda offers hope for a more accurate and respectful portrayal of cultural and religious themes.

Including Hanuman in Black Panther shows how tricky it is to create a global movie universe. While the aim might have been to honor various myths, how it was handled emphasizes the importance of having thoughtful discussions and being careful with different cultures.