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The Royal Mjuzi is the position of adviser to the Pride Lands monarchy and the Tree of Life monarchy, respectively. They are tasked with advising the monarch, preserving the kingdom's history, caring for its inhabitants, and presiding over royal ceremonies. The position of Royal Mjuzi is currently held by two mandrills: Rafiki, who serves the Pride Lands, and Makini, who serves the Tree of Life.
Concept[]
Function[]
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Makini, a Royal Mjuzi-in-training, paints for the royal family for the first time.
Both the Pride Lands[1] and the Tree of Life[2] train Royal Mjuzis.
In the Pride Lands, a Royal Mjuzi is chosen at birth by the Great Lions of the Past. Once they sport colored stripes on their face, they are considered to be of age and begin training with a mentor.[1] Their mentor teaches them the history of the Pride Lands and various skills, such as painting[3] and communicating with the Great Lions of the Past. The Royal Mjuzi apprentice is eventually formally introduced to the royal family, whom they will serve when they are older.[1]
Duties[]
The duties of a Royal Mjuzi include but are not limited to:
- Choosing a bakora staff,[1]
- Preserving the history of the Pride Lands through paintings,[3]
- Presiding over royal ceremonies and celebrations,[4]
- Counseling and advising members of both the royal family[5] and the Lion Guard,[6]
- Healing injuries and illnesses,[7]
- Training an apprentice,[1]
- Planting a baobab sapling in Mizimu Grove,[8] and
- Anointing and formally presenting future rulers.[9]
History[]
Early Royal Mjuzis[]
| “ | Makini: Rafiki? Did you do all of those paintings? Rafiki: Only some. Most were done by those who came before me.
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There have been many Royal Mjuzis throughout the history of the Pride Lands. Each tree in Mizimu Grove was planted by a Royal Mjuzi apprentice. Mizimu Grove has sixteen trees, which implies that there have been sixteen Royal Mjuzis.[8]
Rafiki's time as Royal Mjuzi[]
Serving Mufasa[]
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Rafiki presents Mufasa and Sarabi's newborn son, Simba, to the Pride Landers.
At some point in his life, Rafiki became the Pride Lands' Royal Mjuzi[1] and befriended Mufasa, the king of the Pride Lands.[9] Per tradition, he planted a baobab tree in Mizimu Grove as part of his mpando mpaya.[8]
Under Mufasa's reign, Rafiki presided over the presentation of the king's son, Simba, and subsequently recorded the prince's birth by painting his likeness in his tree. After a stampede that resulted in the deaths of Mufasa and, allegedly, Simba, Rafiki mourned the kingdom's loss and wiped away his painting of Simba. As Mufasa's brother Scar ascended the throne and famine fell on the Pride Lands, Rafiki appeared to abandon his duties as Royal Mjuzi, instead tending to his own business within the confines of his tree.[9]
Famine[]
| “ | Simba: You knew my father? Rafiki: Correction: I know your father.
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Rafiki convinces Simba to return to the Pride Lands.
Seasons later, while sitting in his tree, Rafiki caught a tuft of milkweed floss that an adult Simba had touched. After sniffing the floss, he realized that Simba was alive. Excitedly, he painted a mane around the smeared likeness of Simba and declared that "it [wa]s time." He then journeyed to a jungle, where he found Simba.
Claiming that Mufasa was alive, Rafiki led Simba to a reflective pool, where he explained that the late king lived within his son. Immediately, the spirit of Mufasa appeared overhead and commanded Simba to challenge Scar. As Simba made off for the Pride Lands, Rafiki informed the young lion's friends—Timon, Pumbaa, and Nala—of his departure. He then journeyed to the Pride Lands himself.
By the time Rafiki arrived at Pride Rock, a battle was underway. Rafiki defended Simba from a group of hyenas. After the battle, he blessed Simba before the young lion officially reclaimed the throne.[9]
Serving Simba[]
| “ | Kovu: Who was that? Kiara: Uh... Friend of the family. |
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Rafiki meets Makini, his future apprentice.
Seasons into Simba's rule, Rafiki presided over the presentation of Simba and Nala's newborn cub.[9]
One morning, Rafiki summoned the Pride Landers to Pride Rock to witness the presentation of Simba's daughter, Kiara.[10] Soon after, he journeyed to the Tree of Life to meet his future apprentice, Makini.[11]
Years later, after hearing Simba's son Kion involuntarily use the Roar of the Elders, Rafiki recognized that it was time for a new Lion Guard. He and Simba taught Kion about the Lion Guard and the Roar and tasked the cub with forming his own Guard.[5] Rafiki often advised and assisted Kion and his Lion Guard in their duties in the seasons to come.[12]
Rafiki teaches Makini to listen for the Great Lions of the Past.
Meanwhile, Makini matured into an adolescent. Once she gained colored stripes on her face, Rafiki informed her that it was time to begin her Royal Mjuzi training. Makini's initial training included finding a bakora staff, being introduced to the royal family, and learning about the Great Lions of the Past.[1] In the coming seasons, Rafiki also taught Makini to paint, listen to the whispers of the Great Lions,[3] become familiar with the history of the Pride Lands,[13] and assist the Lion Guard as needed.[14]
Once Kiara reached adulthood, Rafiki conspired with Mufasa to bring her and Kovu together so as to unite the Pride Landers and Outsiders. He presided over Kiara's first hunt, and after the hunt went awry, he convinced Simba to temporarily accept Kovu into his pride.
Rafiki presides over the wedding of Kovu and Kiara.
One night, Rafiki led Kiara and Kovu to a jungle paradise, where he encouraged them to fall in love. Shortly afterward, however, Simba banished Kovu from the Pride Lands, a decision over which Rafiki expressed disappointment. Eventually, Kiara and Kovu united the prides. They were then married by Rafiki at Pride Rock.[10]
Some time later, the Lion Guard returned from their journey to the Tree of Life. Rafiki, noting Makini's absence, expressed amusement to learn that she had become Janna's Royal Mjuzi. He then explained to the Lion Guard all that had happened since their departure. The next day, Rafiki presided over the Battle of the Lion Guards.[12]
Makini's time as Royal Mjuzi[]
Training under Rafiki[]
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Makini uses moja kwa moja stones to lead the Lion Guard to the Tree of Life.
At birth, Makini was chosen by the Great Lions of the Past to be Rafiki's apprentice.[11] Rafiki predicted that she would succeed him as Royal Mjuzi of the Pride Lands, while Janna believed that she would end up serving the Tree of Life.[12]
Once she gained stripes on her face, Makini started training under Rafiki. While training, she frequently assisted and accompanied the Lion Guard on their missions.[1] When the Lion Guard needed to journey to the Tree of Life for healing, Makini resolved to accompany them. On the trip, she supplied Kion with healing tuliza and served as the group's primary navigator.[15]
Serving Janna[]
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Makini continues her Royal Mjuzi training under Janna.
Once the group reached the Tree of Life, Janna offered to continue Makini's Royal Mjuzi training. She showed Makini the paintings that recorded the history of the Tree of Life and gave Makini the bakora staff of the Tree of Life's last Royal Mjuzi.[2] Makini then assisted Janna in healing Ono's eyesight.[16]
Serving Rani[]
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Makini presents the newly-crowned Rani to the animals of the Tree of Life.
When Janna lay dying, Makini tended to her. After Janna's death, Makini comforted and encouraged Rani by speaking of Janna and showing her historical paintings in the Tree. Later, Makini presided over Rani's coronation. As she anointed Rani, she remarked that Janna would have been proud of her.[17]
When Kion learned that the Pride Lands were under attack from the Outsiders, he elected to lead the Lion Guard home. However, Makini decided to remain at the Tree of Life to continue serving Rani. After Kion and the Guard returned to the Tree of Life, Makini presided over the former's coronation and wedding to Rani.[12]
Known Royal Mjuzis[]
Appearances[]
Trivia[]
- "Mjuzi" means "experienced person," "sagacious person," or "well-informed person" in Swahili.[18]
References[]
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