The Dissonance Between Spirituality and Technology in Wakanda Forever

There is a growing trend in modern society where humanity is increasingly

disconnected from spirituality, being instead drawn into the realm of technology and its

offspring. This concern has been gradually emerging over time, but it is becoming more

apparent as newer generations move toward a future that is focused on erasing the

past. This cultural shift is powerfully depicted in Wakanda Forever, where the

characters’ struggles reflect this tension between tradition and modernity.

The film opens with a poignant scene in which Shuri, the Chief Scientist of Wakanda

and sister of T'Challa, pleads with Bast, the panther goddess:

“Bast. Time is running out. Please allow me to heal my brother of this illness, and I will

never question your existence again.”

T'Challa's death sends Shuri down a difficult and dark path, one that challenges her

faith and belief in the spiritual foundations of her culture. She later confronts Namor,

the ruler of Talokan, and expresses her frustration:

“But when I lost my brother, it just felt different. He suffered in silence. When he finally

asked me to help him, I couldn’t. How does that make sense that the ancestors would

give me gifts and skills to help me save my brother, and I couldn’t? Why?”

This dialogue highlights a profound disillusionment with the spiritual aspects of life,

especially in the face of loss and death. These events often shake the foundations of

our interactions with spiritual beliefs, revealing how society’s understanding of life and

death has been distorted. We’ve been conditioned to see life as a linear journey with

birth at one end and death at the other, where everything in between determines how

quickly we reach the end. This perspective leaves little room for understanding life as a

continuum of transitions, where each ending is also a beginning.

Shuri’s crisis is not just about her brother's death but about the broader implications of

losing touch with the spiritual traditions that once provided comfort and guidance. Her

fixation on material solutions, like the recreation of the heart-shaped herb, reflects a

modern tendency to rely on technology over spiritual practices. This reliance, however,

does not bring her the peace she seeks; instead, it leads to deeper disillusionment.

A key moment in the film occurs during a fight scene in a Wakandan facility, where the

French attempt to steal Vibranium. Aneka, a member of the Dora Milaje, uses a new

weapon prototype provided by Shuri, leading to a sharp exchange with Okoye, the

leader of the Dora Milaje:

“Our foremothers gave us the spear because it is precise, elegant, and deadly. It will

not change on my watch.”

Okoye’s resistance to new technology reflects a reverence for tradition and the wisdom of the past. She recognizes that while technology has its place, it should not replace the foundational symbols and practices that have defined their culture for generations.

This scene underscores the importance of maintaining a balance between innovation

and tradition, a balance that Shuri struggles to achieve as she becomes more

engrossed in technological solutions.

The tension between tradition and technology is further explored in the interaction

between Shuri and her mother, Ramonda, the Queen of Wakanda. When Ramonda

enters Shuri’s workspace, the contrast in their clothing symbolizes the spiritual divide

between them, Shuri in her futuristic attire and Ramonda in traditional garments.

Ramonda probes Shuri about the recreation of the heart-shaped herb, to which Shuri

responds:

“We do not need the herb, mother. We need new technology.”

Shuri’s reliance on technology over spiritual practices reflects her growing detachment

from her cultural roots. Her dismissal of the herb as unnecessary highlights a loss of

faith in the spiritual elements that once defined Wakandan identity. This is not just a

personal struggle but a reflection of a generational shift, a shift toward a world where

the patience and contemplation required for spiritual practices are seen as outdated.

This disconnection reaches a climax when Shuri manages to revive the herb with Nakia

at her side. Nakia, aware of the spiritual significance of the moment, suggests:

“I mean, shouldn’t we be burning incense or something? Only Bast knows how the

ancestors will make it to this lab.”

Shuri’s smile fades as she enters the spirit realm, only to be met by Killmonger instead

of her mother or brother. Upon returning, she is furious:

“They abandoned me. I did everything I was supposed to do. I recreated the herb. I just

did your stupid ritual, and for what? Why didn’t they come for me?”

This moment reveals a crucial truth: the act of creation is not just about following steps

or completing rituals; it is about the intention, belief, and spiritual connection that

underlie those actions. Nakia’s suggestion to burn incense reflects a deeper

understanding that rituals are more than ceremonial, they are bridges between the

physical and spiritual worlds. Shuri, however, is unable to fully embrace this

connection, and her frustration stems from this spiritual dissonance.

Ramonda, in contrast, embodies the wisdom of the past and the importance of staying

connected to one’s spiritual roots. When she speaks of finding her son in the breeze,

she demonstrates that spirituality is not just a belief but a lived experience, an ongoing

dialogue with the unseen forces that guide and comfort her. Shuri’s dismissal of this

experience as a "construct of the mind" reveals her estrangement from thesetraditions, a detachment that is emblematic of a broader societal shift away from spirituality and toward a reliance on technology.

In conclusion, Wakanda Forever serves as a powerful commentary on the dangers of

losing touch with our spiritual heritage in an increasingly technological world. The film

challenges us to reconsider the balance between innovation and tradition, reminding us

that true creation and fulfillment come not just from what we make, but from how we

believe and walk in that creation. As we move forward, it is crucial that we do not lose

sight of the spiritual anchors that ground us in a rapidly changing world.