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Hakuna Matata is an ideology originating from the belief that one ought to reject all rules and responsibilities and live a carefree way of life. It is held by Timon and Pumbaa.
Concept[]
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Pride Landers sing "Hakuna Matata".
The ideology of Hakuna Matata entails a few key beliefs, namely that a) one ought not to worry about the past, as it is unchangeable, and b) one ought to "turn [one's] back on the world" when it "turns its back on you."
It manifests itself in a carefree and irresponsible lifestyle that abstains from "rules" and "responsibilities." To that end, the phrase "Hakuna Matata" is often used as a nonchalant way of saying "no problem" or "don't worry about it." Timon and Pumbaa also invented a song about the phrase.
The ideology was originally foreign to most of the animals in the Pride Lands, who historically prioritized the great sense of responsibility rooted in the concept of the Circle of Life.[1] However, the ideology became more well-known among the Pride Landers when Timon and Pumbaa took up residency there.[2]
History[]
Timon and Pumbaa's adoption of the ideology[]
| “ | Timon: To recap: I want to live in some beautiful place. Outside. A carefree place where I don't have to hide or worry. Rafiki: Whoo! Hoo, hoo, hoo! Life without worry. You seek Hakuna Matata. |
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Rafiki tells Timon to "look beyond" what he sees in order to find Hakuna Matata.
It is unclear where the ideology of Hakuna Matata originated. However, the phrase and its meaning was known to several animals, such as Pumbaa and Rafiki.
A meerkat named Timon lived with his colony, where he struggled to fit in. He yearned for a home in which he could relax and not worry about having to look after the rest of his colony. Eventually, he decided to leave the colony to search for a new home. After some time, he collapsed near Rafiki's tree and lamented that he did not know where to go. When Rafiki asked him where he desired to go, Timon explained that he yearned for a a beautiful and carefree place where he did not have to hide or worry. Rafiki informed him that he sought "Hakuna Matata" and that he must "look beyond" what he saw in order to find it.
Timon and Pumbaa resolve to live according to the Hakuna Matata lifestyle.
Shortly afterwards, Timon met a warthog named Pumbaa. The two became friends and embarked on a journey to find the perfect home together, with Timon continuing to "look beyond" what he saw, as Rafiki had advised. They eventually arrived at a jungle paradise, which they adopted as their new home.
One morning, Timon commented that Rafiki had been right about his dream home, but he admitted that he had forgotten the phrase the mandrill had used to describe it. Pumbaa started reciting two-word phrases and eventually said, "Hakuna Matata. It means no worries." Timon and Pumbaa agreed that "Hakuna Matata" was the right phrase and proceeded to live out their days according to the Hakuna Matata lifestyle.[3]
Simba's self-exile[]
| “ | Simba: Hakuna Matata. It's something I learned out here. Look, sometimes, bad things happen... Nala: Simba! Simba: And there's nothing you can do about it. So, why worry? Nala: Because it's your responsibility! |
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Eventually, Timon and Pumbaa happened upon a lion cub named Simba, who had fainted in the desert. Simba asserted that he had done something terrible and that the only way anyone could help him would be if they could change the past. Timon encouraged Simba to put his past behind him and declared that since the world had rejected him, it was up to him to reject the world in return.
Timon and Pumbaa teach Simba about their Hakuna Matata lifestyle.
Despite Simba's reluctance to embrace this idea, Timon and Pumbaa proceeded to teach the cub about the philosophy of Hakuna Matata. The duo adopted Simba, who grew up fully immersed in the doctrines of Hakuna Matata and even boasted that he had perfected the lifestyle.[3]
Come young adulthood, Simba was reunited with his childhood friend, Nala, who urged him to return to Pride Rock and dethrone his uncle, Scar. Despite Nala's pleas, Simba invoked "Hakuna Matata," insisting that sometimes there were bad situations about which nothing could be done. Nala scorned this idea and declared that Simba had changed. She then departed for the Pride Lands.
Conflicted, Simba went for a walk, continuing to insist to himself that the past was unchangeable. Before long, he stumbled upon Rafiki, who questioned his identity. Simba admitted that he did not know who he was anymore. Rafiki declared that Simba was "Mufasa's boy" and promised the young lion that he could take him to his father. Simba followed Rafiki to a pool, where Rafiki explained that Mufasa lived within Simba.
Nala scorns Simba's way of life and urges him to accept his responsibilities.
The spirit of Mufasa then appeared, declaring that Simba had forgotten who he was and therefore had forgotten Mufasa. He urged Simba to take his rightful place in the Circle of Life, as he was Mufasa's son and the one true king of the Pride Lands.
When the apparition vanished, Simba admitted that he did not know how to face his past, as he had been running from it for so long. Rafiki replied that though the past could hurt, he could either run from it or learn from it. Resolved, Simba made off for the Pride Lands.[1]
Legacy[]
| “ | Bunga: How'd you know my uncles' song? Simba: I knew it before you did. They sang it to me all the time when I was growing up. Bunga: Oh, right! They raised you, just like they raised me. |
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Timon and Pumbaa adopt Bunga, whom they teach about Hakuna Matata.
Timon and Pumbaa followed Simba to the Pride Lands, where they helped him win the battle for Pride Rock. Afterwards, Timon led his former colony to the jungle, where they established themselves according to the Hakuna Matata lifestyle. Timon then returned to the Pride Lands with Pumbaa.[3]
The duo continued to live according to the Hakuna Matata lifestyle and even passed on their knowledge of the concept to a young honey badger named Bunga, whom they adopted as their nephew.[2][4]
Appearances[]
Trivia[]
- "Hakuna Matata" is a Swahili phrase that is literally translated as "There are no problems."[5]
Gallery[]
References[]
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