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BigLovableChunkOfWarthogHere
"Do you see any other big, lovable chunk of warthog here?"
This article is about the character from the 1994 film.
You may be looking for the character from the 2019 film.


Sarabi
Sarabi
Physical information
Gender

Female

Species

Lion

Hair color

Brown, cream, and tan

Eye color

Orange

Distinguishing features

Dark ear rims

Biographical information
Also known as

Mom (by Simba)

Status

Living

Residence

Pride Lands

Affiliations

   Pride Landers
   Pride Lands monarchy
   Simba's pride

Titles

Queen of Pride Rock (formerly)

Relationship information
Family

Mufasa (mate)
Simba (son)
Kion (grandson)
Kiara (granddaughter)
Scar (brother-in-law)
Nala (daughter-in-law)

Allies

Mufasa, Nala, Rafiki, Sarafina, Simba, Zazu, Scar (formerly)

Enemies

Banzai, Ed, Scar, Shenzi

If you were half the king Mufasa was...
―Sarabi condemns Scar[src]

Sarabi is a female lion. She is the queen of Pride Rock who preceded Nala. She was the mate of Mufasa, with whom she had a son, Simba.

During Mufasa's reign, Sarabi served as his queen and the leader of his hunting party. However, when Mufasa and Simba purportedly died in a wildebeest stampede, she was forced to serve Mufasa's younger brother, Scar, instead. Over the seasons, Scar's hyena minions took over the Pride Lands, and the kingdom suffered a famine as a result. Eventually, Sarabi argued that the lionesses must leave Pride Rock in order to survive, but Scar refused, and she condemned his poor leadership. At that moment, a full-grown Simba revealed his presence and challenged Scar's claim to the throne. Along with the other lionesses, Sarabi supported Simba's right to rule and aided him in his battle against Scar and the hyenas.

Biography[]

Early life[]

Sarabi lived in the Pride Lands as a member of a pride of lions. She was presumably betrothed to Mufasa, the prince heir of Pride Rock, as per the law of the Pride Lands monarchy. As a result, she became Mufasa's mate, the queen consort of the Pride Lands, and the leader of the pride's hunting party. The couple eventually had a son named Simba, whom they betrothed to Nala.[1]

Simba's presentation[]

Sarabi and I didn't see you at the presentation of Simba.
―Mufasa to Scar[src]
Lion-king-disneyscreencaps

Sarabi bathes her newborn son, Simba.

One morning, the Pride Landers traveled to Pride Rock to witness the presentation of Simba. Once the crowd had congregated and Rafiki had ascended Pride Rock, Mufasa went to Sarabi and nuzzled her. She licked Simba, who was resting in her paws, and the cub turned to spectate Rafiki. In turn, the mandrill shook his gourds over Simba's head, then used the juice from one of his gourds to mark the cub's forehead. After anointing Simba, Rafiki took the cub gently into his arms, carried him to the promontory, and lifted him high for all the animals to see. As the gathered Pride Landers cheered and bowed, Mufasa and Sarabi looked on proudly.[1]

Raising Simba[]

So where is this really cool place?
―Sarabi, after Simba expresses a desire to visit a "cool" place[src]
Lion-king-disneyscreencaps

Sarabi allows Simba and Nala to visit the water hole.

Seasons later, when Simba was a cub, Sarabi slept beside Mufasa in the den of Pride Rock. Simba arrived to arouse his father, and Sarabi reminded Mufasa that his son was awake. To this, Mufasa remarked that Simba was her son before sunrise. With enough pestering from Simba, both parents awoke and strode out of the den. Before Simba ascended Pride Rock with his father, he nuzzled Sarabi, and she gave him an encouraging nudge.

Later, Sarabi rested beside Sarafina, who was bathing her daughter, Nala. Simba arrived and asked Nala if she wanted to visit a "great" place with him, but Sarabi grabbed him and began to bathe him. Despite Simba's struggles, Sarabi held on to him and finished giving him a bath. Afterward, Simba asked if he and Nala had permission to leave, and Sarabi questioned where they wanted to go. Simba lied that the place he wanted to visit was around the water hole, and Sarabi gave the cubs permission to go. However, before they left, she told them to bring Zazu along as a babysitter.[1]

Mufasa's death[]

What will your mother think?
―Scar to Simba, after Mufasa's death[src]
Lion-king-disneyscreencaps

Sarabi mourns the purported deaths of Mufasa and Simba.

After Mufasa and Simba purportedly perished in a stampede, Sarabi mourned alongside the lionesses. Scar delivered a eulogy to the grief-stricken pride, during which Zazu placed a comforting wing on Sarabi's paw. In the midst of Scar's eulogy, he announced that he was letting the hyenas into the Pride Lands, which shocked and devastated the pride. As Scar's hyena allies swarmed into Pride Rock, the lionesses looked on helplessly.

In the following seasons, the Pride Lands fell into disrepair, and most of the herds moved on. As a result, the lionesses could not catch enough food to sustain the pride or their hyena allies.[1]

Battle for Pride Rock[]

Scar, there is no food. The herds have moved on.
―Sarabi[src]
Lion-king-disneyscreencaps

Sarabi is reunited with a full-grown Simba.

One day, Scar summoned Sarabi to Pride Rock, where he demanded to know why the hunting party was not catching enough prey. Sarabi explained that the herds had moved on, but Scar accused her of not looking hard enough. She retorted that it was "over" and that the pride must leave Pride Rock if they wanted to survive. However, Scar refused to leave his kingdom and proclaimed that, as the king, he could do whatever he wanted. Disgusted and enraged, Sarabi started to disfavorably compare Scar to Mufasa, which incited him into striking her across the face.

Just then, a full-grown Simba emerged and rushed to Sarabi's side. At first, she mistook him for Mufasa, but when he denied this, she recognized him as her son and questioned how he could still be alive. Simba merely replied that it did not matter because he was home. The two then shared an affectionate nuzzle.

Lion-king-disneyscreencaps

Sarabi charges into battle against the hyenas.

Simba turned to confront Scar and demanded that he abdicate the throne. Nala soon arrived with the lionesses, who helped Sarabi to her feet, and the pride showed their support of Simba's right to rule. However, Scar forced Simba to confess that he had been responsible for Mufasa's death, and a horrified Sarabi begged him to deny the accusation. Simba admitted that it was true, and Scar accused him of being a murderer. Eventually, Scar let it slip to Simba that he, in fact, had killed Mufasa, and Simba forced his uncle to state the truth in front of the pride.

At Scar's confession, a fight broke out between the lionesses and the hyenas. Sarabi leaped into battle alongside her pride, and the lionesses eventually emerged victorious.[1]

Simba's coronation[]

After Scar and the hyenas were defeated, Sarabi nuzzled Simba and watched proudly as he ascended Pride Rock. Upon reaching the edge of the promontory, Simba roared over his kingdom, and the lionesses roared back their assent.[1]

Legacy[]

Seasons later, when Scar's spirit returned to the Pride Lands for revenge, Sarabi's grandson, Kion, and his Lion Guard passed through the Lair of the Lion Guard to view cave paintings of the Pride Lands' past. Rafiki's apprentice, Makini, began to show the friends several paintings of the Pride Lands' history, including a painting of Mufasa and Sarabi during Simba's presentation.[2]

Physical appearance[]

Lion-king-disneyscreencaps

Sarabi stands nose to nose with Scar.

Sarabi is a large, long-bodied, and muscular lioness. She is notably taller and more heavily-built than the other lionesses, as she was able to stand nose to nose with Scar. Additionally, she is a powerful huntress and fighter, and was among the first to enter combat with the hyenas during the battle for Pride Rock. Unlike most of the lionesses, she has square-like features, including a boxy muzzle, a broad chest, and a rectangular body.

Sarabi's main pelt is medium brown, while her chest, muzzle, eye rims, and paws are tan. She has dark ear rims and a light brown nose. Her eyes are orange.[1]

Personality and traits[]

It's over. There is nothing left. We have only one choice. We must leave Pride Rock.
―Sarabi to Scar[src]

Sarabi is affectionate, kind-hearted, and maternal. She is especially loving toward her son, Simba, and tolerates his antics with patience and understanding. She is quite perceptive when it comes to her son's intentions, as she immediately caught on to his mischievous scheme to visit the Elephant Graveyard and so forced him to bring along Zazu as a babysitter. She ultimately does what is best for him, even if he chafes at her decisions and interference.

Lion-king-disneyscreencaps

During Scar's reign, Sarabi was fearless and unrelenting.

In times of tragedy, Sarabi is persistent and strong-willed. She continued to lead her pride's hunting party despite the purported deaths of her mate and son. Unlike Scar, who did not respect the Circle of Life, she demonstrated an understanding of the delicate balance between predator and prey, and tried to explain to Scar that his reign had stripped the kingdom of its food. When wronged or insulted, Sarabi can be headstrong, temperamental, and unafraid to dole out criticism, especially in the defense of her pride.

Sarabi is brave, ferocious, and dutiful. She was quick to throw her support behind a full-grown Simba and joined her fellow lionesses in challenging Scar's rule. During the ensuing fight, she charged into battle fearlessly and fought with ferocity and zeal. Additionally, she showed her loyalty to Simba by accepting his right to rule and affirming his claim to kingship over the Pride Lands.[1]

Appearances[]

Films

Television series

Video games

Books

Short stories

Comics

Trivia[]

General[]

TLK musical Sarabi

Gina Breedlove as Sarabi in the stage musical version of The Lion King.

  • Sarabi's name means "mirage, optical illusion" in Swahili.[6]
  • Flip Kobler, a co-screenwriter of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, noted that Sarabi was excluded from the film because there was "no place for her" in the story and because Nala already fulfilled any role Sarabi might have had.[8] Additionally, the filmmakers wanted to respect Sarabi's deceased voice actress, Madge Sinclair. This tradition was upheld in The Lion Guard.[9]
2017-11-19-04 25 31

A lioness who strongly resembles Sarabi appears in the "The Ukumbusho Tradition" episode of The Lion Guard.

  • A since-suspended Disney website erroneously stated that Sarabi was banished from the Pride Lands alongside the Outsiders. Her name was also misspelled "Serabi."[13]

In development[]

SarabisSister

Concept artwork of Sarabi and her sister, Naanda.

  • According to concept artwork, Sarabi originally had whiskers.[20]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Revealed in Disney's The Lion King (1994). Written by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton, and directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff. Distributed by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.
  2. Revealed in "Cave of Secrets" from Disney Junior's The Lion Guard. Season 2, Episode 21. Written by Jack Monaco and directed by Tom Derosier and Howy Parkins. Originally aired September 4, 2018.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Madge Sinclair. IMDb. IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved on August 27, 2021.
  4. Russ Edmonds. IMDb. IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved on August 27, 2021.
  5. Gina Breedlove. Playbill. Retrieved on August 27, 2021.
  6. Online Swahili - English Dictionary. African Languages. Retrieved on September 27, 2020.
  7. Revealed in "The Ukumbusho Tradition" from Disney Junior's The Lion Guard. Season 2, Episode 10. Written by Jack Monaco and directed by Howy Parkins. Originally aired October 27, 2017.
  8. Kobler
  9. Sarabi TLG
  10. Simmons, Alex. A Tale of Two Brothers (1994). ISBN: 0717283488.
  11. Revealed in An Unusual Choir. Written by Jack Sutter and pencilled by Oscar Martin. Published in October 1998.
  12. Mtoto
  13. "Who Wants To Be King Of The Jungle?" Help. Archived from the original on February 5, 2004. Retrieved on September 27, 2020.
  14. James Earl Jones. IMDb. IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved on July 6, 2021.
  15. Revealed in Disney's King of the Kalahari (1988). Written by Tom Disch.
  16. 16.0 16.1 Revealed in Disney's The Lion King (1990). Written by J. T. Allen.
  17. 17.0 17.1 Revealed in Disney's King of the Beasts (1990). Written by J.T. Allen and Ronald Bass.
  18. Revealed in Disney's King of the Jungle (1992).
  19. Revealed in Disney's The Lion King (1993). Written by Irene Mecchi and Jonathan Roberts.
  20. Finch, Christopher. The Art of The Lion King (June 2, 1996). ISBN: 0786861843.
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