#sebara

I should probably talk about secondary characters (Tafari&Imani) before giving info on 3rd tier recurring ones but this particular character has a grip on me that won't let go until I talk about her. Meet Sebara.

After the scene where Makeva and Safi arrive at Lungile and get in by putting Makeva in her first dress, the guard explains that they have come during the Kuvuya Festival, which is all about self-love (Obvious subtext is obvious).

The festival is hosted by Sebara, an entertainment witch (think Clopin from HOND) who has an annual contest she does at every Kuvuya festival and the winner is the named Kuvuya Queen. The Kuvuya Queen can ask for anything she wants from the village and receive it. To get out of the village with the supplies they need, Safi plans to win but through a series of unfortunate events, Makeva gets dragged onstage and forced to compete as well.

Little does she know, it is a very risky test.

One by one, each Lugilen lady comes up to the stage and Sebara casts a spell on them that reveals their true nature.

For example, if someone is selfish at heart, that will be reflected.

If someone is optimistic at heart, that will be reflected.

But this isn't limited to character traits, it also reveals tertiary aspects of someone's character such as their preferred fashion aesthetic, their preferred jawline and even their preferred voice timbre.

So for a trans girl who doesn't realize that she’s trans, this becomes a very enlightening experience.

As well as a frightening one.

However, Sebara is the first to step in, recognize Makevas fears and name her the Kuvuya Queen to keep any anxiety at bay. In less than a minute (again just like Clopin in HOND). The Lungilens don’t bat an eye at this because Makeva is conventionally attractive enough to them that they figure she won fairly (and technically she did). Then they do what they always do for the Kuvuya Queen: pick her up on their shoulders, throw confetti, cheer her name, etc.

That’s probably why I couldn't wait to talk about Sebara. Her quick thinking results in Makevas first big moment of gender euphoria and it becomes a moment that she pulls strength from in times of need. It’s also the first time she really starts to excel at magic because it's highly femme.

and yes, she is directly inspired by Danai Gurira.

and yes, she does flirt with Makeva.