Sarabi (2019 film)

Sarabi (2019 film) Quotes Gallery

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

Sarabi (2019 film)
Physical information
Gender	Female
Species	Lion
Hair color	Gold, tan, and white
Eye color	Yellow
Biographical information
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) Kiara (granddaughter) Scar (brother-in-law) † Nala (daughter-in-law)
Allies	Mufasa, Nala, Rafiki, Sarafina, Simba, Zazu, Azizi (formerly), Kamari (formerly), Scar (formerly), Shenzi (formerly)
Enemies	Azizi, Kamari, Scar, Shenzi

“

You are nothing compared to Mufasa! ―Sarabi to Scar

”

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.

As Mufasa's queen, Sarabi led the pride's hunting party. However, when Mufasa and Simba purportedly died in a stampede, she was forced to serve Mufasa's younger brother, Scar, instead. Over time, Scar and his hyena allies devastated the Pride Lands by over-hunting, and the lionesses came to resent his rule. In an attempt to win them over, Scar asked Sarabi to be his queen, but she refused.

Later, when a full-grown Simba returned to the Pride Lands to reclaim his birthright, Sarabi and the rest of the lionesses supported his right to rule. They fought at his side in the battle of Pride Rock and emerged victorious over the hyenas. After the fight, the pride witnessed Simba's coronation and roared their assent of his reign.

Biography

Early life

“

Long ago, you chose Mufasa over me. ―Scar to Sarabi

”

When Sarabi was young, both Mufasa and Scar fell in love with her. However, Sarabi ultimately chose Mufasa to be her mate, which embittered Scar. Later, Mufasa and Sarabi had a son named Simba, whom they betrothed to Nala.

Simba's presentation

“

Of course, I meant no disrespect towards His Majesty...or Sarabi. As you know, I have tremendous respect for the queen. ―Scar to Mufasa, after he misses Simba's presentation

”

At Pride Rock, Mufasa and Sarabi witnessed the presentation of their newborn son, Simba. After the ceremony, Mufasa confronted Scar for missing the ceremony, and Scar commented drily that he had not meant to offend Sarabi.

Raising Simba

“

Just go to the watering hole and no further. And stay downwind. And one more little thing... Zazu will be going with you. ―Sarabi to Simba and Nala

”

Sarabi tells Simba to bring Zazu along as a babysitter.

Seasons passed, and Simba grew into a lively cub. One morning, he excitedly tried to wake up Mufasa, and Sarabi remarked that the cub was awake. However, Mufasa retorted that Simba was her son before sunrise.

Later, Simba approached his friend, Nala, who was being bathed by her mother, Sarafina. Sarabi, who was nearby, commented that it was time for Simba's bath, then began to clean him in spite of his struggles. After the bath, Simba asked for permission to go play with Nala, and Sarabi instructed him to go no farther than the water hole and to bring Zazu with him.

Mufasa's death

After Mufasa died in a stampede, Scar delivered a eulogy to the grief-stricken pride, during which he erroneously reported that Simba had perished as well. Sarabi grieved alongside the rest of her pride. At the end of his eulogy, Scar invited the hyenas into Pride Rock, and the lionesses reacted with apprehension and disapproval.

Scar's reign

“

Our time will come, Nala. Be patient. ―Sarabi

”

Sarabi refuses to be Scar's queen.

As the seasons passed, the Pride Lands fell into disrepair due to the hyenas' over-hunting of the herds. One day, as Nala spectated the hyenas, Sarabi called her to come and sit with the rest of the lionesses. Nala approached and implored Sarabi to lead the pride out of the kingdom, but Sarabi refused out of a sense of duty to the Pride Lands.

Just then, Scar returned from his hunt and requested an audience with Sarabi. Though Nala protested the order, Sarabi claimed that she was not afraid of Scar, then strode toward where the king was feasting on his prey. Once she had approached, Scar asked her to join him and reminded her of how she had chosen Mufasa over him long ago. He then offered her a place at his side and remarked that the other lionesses would not accept him as long as she resisted his reign. Sarabi vehemently refused, and Scar subsequently allowed the hyenas to eat before the lionesses.

One night, Sarabi caught a glimpse of Nala leaving the Pride Lands.

Battle for Pride Rock

“

Sarabi: Scar. You told us you didn't get to the gorge in time. Scar: That's true. Sarabi: Then how did you see the look in Mufasa's eyes? —Sarabi confronts Scar over Mufasa's death

”

Sarabi confronts Scar over Mufasa's death.

In Nala's absence, Scar confronted Sarabi again and demanded that she be his queen. This time, she rejected him and asserted that he would never be as good a king as Mufasa. This prompted him to attack her in a rage. Before he could seriously harm her, a full-grown Simba leaped to her defense and ordered Scar to stay away from her. Sarabi immediately recognized her son and embraced him.

Simba proceeded to challenge Scar's right to rule, and the lionesses supported his claim. However, Scar accused Simba of being responsible for Mufasa's death, and Sarabi begged Simba to deny the allegations. Sorrowfully, Simba admitted that it was true, and Scar lambasted him for having killed his own father. However, Scar let slip to Simba that he, in fact, had killed Mufasa, and Simba ordered him to confess before the pride. Though Scar tried to deny Simba's accusations, Sarabi noted that Scar had revealed a very specific memory about how Mufasa had looked before he had died. Realizing the lie, the lionesses attacked and, after an extended fight, emerged victorious.

Simba's coronation

After the battle, Sarabi embraced Simba and watched him take his place as the king of the Pride Lands.

Physical appearance

Sarabi is an exceptionally large lioness, with a solid build, a wide head, a square jaw, and a prominent white chin. She has short, sleek, glossy golden fur, black lips, dark-lined yellow eyes, rounded ears, a white chest, and a thin dark stripe on her forehead.

Personality and traits

“

We must all stay together and protect the Pride Lands. This is our home. We must never abandon it. ―Sarabi

”

Sarabi urges her pride to remain steadfast in spite of Scar's tyranny.

Sarabi is fearless and commanding, with a strong sense of pride and justice. She is a natural leader and carries herself with dignity, a trait that demands respect from those around her. She is fiercely loyal to her family, as seen when she continued to reject Scar's advances despite Mufasa's death. Even so, she can sometimes be overcome by shock and uncertainty, such as when she did not stand up for Simba in the face of Scar's accusations.

Sarabi is kind and loving, and looks out for those in her care. In times of need, she encourages her pride to remain steadfast, most notably when she told them to remain hopeful for the future despite Scar's poor reign and treatment of his subjects. She is especially fond of Nala and was visibly concerned to see the younger lioness leaving Pride Rock on her own. Above all, Sarabi strives to protect the Pride Lands, even at the cost of her own wellbeing. She refused to leave the kingdom even in the midst of a famine and charged fearlessly into battle against the hyenas in the defense of her homeland.

Appearances

Films The Lion King Books Cinestory Comic: The Lion King The Lion King: The Book of the Film The Lion King: The Novelization Wild Schemes and Catastrophes Comics Bad Omens King for a Day

Trivia

• Sarabi was voiced by Alfre Woodard.

• Sarabi's name means "mirage, optical illusion" in Swahili.