Mashindano

A mashindano is a traditional competition in the Pride Lands. It involves combat between two animals for dominance over a specific group. Mashindanos are typically held between crocodiles.
==Concept==
A mashindano is a physical fight held between two animals to determine who has the right to lead a specific group. They typically take place near Lake Matope at sunset, and the royal family is usually in attendance, though any number of animals may spectate the event. Both animals brawl until one surrenders. The winner becomes or stays the leader of the group, while the loser is exiled from the group. After a winner is declared, the monarch formally acknowledges the new leader and thanks the old leader for their service. Refusal to partake in a mashindano automatically results in that animal's loss of authority.
Mashindanos are most often held between crocodiles. When one crocodile grows old or is otherwise deemed unfit to be leader of their float, another crocodile may challenge him to a mashindano. The loser is banished from the float, while the winner takes control of the remaining crocodiles.
Lions have also been known to hold mashindanos, as when Vitani challenged Kion to a mashindano to determine who deserved to lead the Lion Guard.
==History==
===Mashindano between Makuu and Pua===
When Pua, the leader of the crocodiles in the Pride Lands, refused to offset the Circle of Life by hunting the fish in Big Springs, Makuu challenged him to a mashindano. Pua accepted, and the mashindano was held that evening. 
Though Makuu and Pua were well-matched, the former managed to defeat the latter by pinning him down and forcing him to tap out. Simba congratulated Makuu on his victory and thanked Pua for his service. Makuu then taunted Pua as the former leader took his leave of the float.
Some time after the mashindano, a painting depicting the event was done in the Lair of the Lion Guard.
===Mashindano between Kiburi and Makuu===
During the dry season, despite Makuu's orders, Kiburi rallied the float and led them to take over all the watering holes in the Pride Lands. Makuu chastised Kiburi for disobeying him, and Simba found a small watering hole for the crocodiles to inhabit. Dissatisfied with this meager offering, Kiburi challenged Makuu to a mashindano, which the latter accepted.
Before the mashindano was held, per Scar's orders, Ushari met with Kiburi and convinced him to use the event as a distraction to assassinate Simba. As Kiburi and Makuu brawled, the former's lackeys surrounded Simba. However, the Lion Guard caught wind of the plot and prevented the assassination from occurring. When Simba learned of the situation, he surmised that the assassins were too dim to have come up with such a plot on their own.
Meanwhile, Kiburi noticed Simba's absence and, thinking the king dead, relinquished the fight to Makuu. As he rose, he declared to the onlookers that his followers had killed Simba and that he was now ruler of the Pride Lands. 
Just then, Simba interrupted Kiburi's speech, and the latter realized that the Lion Guard had thwarted his plan. Makuu assured Simba of his innocence in the scheme, and Simba deferred Kiburi's punishment to him. Makuu explained that, as Kiburi had lost the mashindano, he was no longer part of the float. Thus, Simba exiled Kiburi and his followers from the Pride Lands.
===Battle of the Lion Guards===
As the final competition in the battle of the Lion Guards, Vitani challenged Kion to a mashindano to determine who was the fiercer lion. Kion warned Vitani that he would easily defeat her with the Roar of the Elders, but Vitani argued that she could prove the fiercer even without the Roar. 
This prompted Kion to recall what the spirit of Askari had taught him: that only one who was wiling to let go of the Roar could truly master it. Realizing that Vitani deserved to be the leader of the Lion Guard, Kion relinquished his title to her. Thus, the mashindano did not go forward.
==Appearances==
* The Lion Guard
** "The Rise of Makuu"
** "Let Sleeping Crocs Lie"
** "The Little Guy" (mentioned)
** "Cave of Secrets" (painting)
** "Return to the Pride Lands" (mentioned)
==Trivia==
* "Mashindano" means "competition" in Swahili.
==Media==
Makuu_Vs_Pua_Mashindano_Lion_Guard_Fight_Scene_HD|The mashindano between Makuu and Pua, as depicted in The Lion Guard.
Lion_Guard_Mashindano_Ambush_%26_Kiburi%27s_Banishment|The mashindano between Kiburi and Makuu, as depicted in The Lion Guard.
==References==
Category:Canon articles
Category:Culture