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Royal Mud Print Ceremony
2017-03-02-01 29 55
General information
Location

Pride Lands

Participants

Pride Lands monarchy

Outcome

A hero's prints are preserved in mud

We all know Hadithi is a bird who never thinks of himself, especially when an animal needs help. When a hero like Hadithi returns to the Pride Lands, it is important for us to mark the occasion. And this is why we would like to honor you at Pride Rock with a Royal Mud Print Ceremony.
Simba[src]

The Royal Mud Print Ceremony is an event celebrated in the Pride Lands. It is a ceremony in which a hero's footprints are preserved in mud.

Concept[]

Hadithi will press his talons into wet mud! When it dries, his prints will be preserved forever alongside those of other heroes!
Ono[src]
Hadithi about to press his foot into the mud - Ono's Idol

Hadithi prepares to make his foot print in the mud.

When a Pride Lander or visitor to the Pride Lands does an act that is considered heroic or similarly memorable, they are honored by the monarch with a Royal Mud Print Ceremony at Pride Rock. During the ceremony, the animal places their foot into a pool of mud, leaving a print. Once the mud dries, the mark is preserved forever.

As part of the ceremony, the honoree is also expected to bestow wisdom upon a younger Pride Lander.[1]

History[]

Early Royal Mud Print Ceremonies[]

I've seen those prints! But I've never seen the ceremony.
Kion on past Royal Mud Print Ceremony honorees[src]

There have been multiple ceremony honorees throughout the Pride Lands' history.[1]

Hadithi's Royal Mud Print Ceremony[]

I was supposed to pass my wisdom on to you. But instead, you passed some wisdom on to me. You know why, kid? 'Cause you're a natural. A natural hero!
Hadithi to Ono, as the latter makes his print in the mud[src]
2017-03-02-01 20 08

Simba announces Hadithi's upcoming Royal Mud Print Ceremony to the Pride Landers.

Hadithi, a legendary eagle, journeyed to the Pride Lands. There, Simba and Nala praised him for his bravery and selflessness and informed him that they wished to honor him with a Royal Mud Print Ceremony. Ono explained the concept of the ceremony to the Lion Guard, and Kion noted that though he had seen the prints of past honorees, he had never witnessed a ceremony.

Simba tasked Hadithi with mentoring Ono for the day. Hadithi was slightly reluctant about this aspect of the ceremony but ultimately delighted in the proceedings. He then asked for a ceremonial nest to be built for him, to which task Ono volunteered the Lion Guard's assistance.

Throughout the day, Hadithi revealed himself to be more pomp and show than anything else and scoffed at Ono's attempts to be like him. When Hadithi and Ono encountered a group of hyenas cornering two klipspringers, Hadithi fled out of fear, leaving Ono to deal with the crisis.

2017-03-02-01 34 43

Ono's heroism is honored at a Royal Mud Print Ceremony.

Hadithi returned for the ceremony without Ono. Simba showered Hadithi with praise, after which Hadithi became so overrun with guilt that he admitted that he had abandoned Ono to danger. He and the Lion Guard set off to save Ono. After the rescue, Hadithi confessed that instead of teaching Ono, the egret had taught him something. He then praised Ono for being a true hero.

Known honorees[]

Appearances[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Revealed in "Ono's Idol" from Disney Junior's The Lion Guard. Season 1, Episode 24. Written by Jack Monaco and directed by Howy Parkins. Originally aired February 24, 2017.
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