Jelani (mandrill)

Jelani is a male mandrill. He is the leader of a troop of mandrills.
After the death of Khalfani, Jelani became the leader of his troop due to his superior strength. However, he proved to be a poor and callous leader who neglected the needs of his fellow mandrills and refused to lead them out of Grass Walls. Eventually, Rafiki arrived and forcibly seized control of the troop, after which he led them to a lush jungle. There, Jelani had a change of heart and embraced his role as the troop's leader.
==Biography==
===Early life===
Jelani lived in Grass Walls. Following the death of Khalfani, Jelani used his superior strength to become the new leader of his troop. Because of his poor rule, many mandrills challenged him for command of the troop, but he continually won due to his physical prowess.
===Move to the jungle===
Rafiki journeyed to his former home of Grass Walls when he heard that the mandrills were in trouble. Upon reaching it and finding that it had drastically changed, he asked the mandrills where their leader was, and a young mandrill told him that Jelani would just as soon let them die. Rafiki asked to be taken to him, and Dalila agreed to take him. Rafiki asked Dalila about Jelani and how long he had been ruling, and Dalila explained that he had been the leader ever since the previous leader, Khalfani, had been killed by a leopard.
Rafiki asked why Jelani had not found the troop a new dwelling place, and Dalila cried out that her nephew was a lazy leader and only cared for himself. Rafiki and his friend, Simba, wondered how anyone could be so selfish. Rafiki then explained that they were on their way to see Jelani and asked his cousin, Karibu, if she knew where he was. Karibu turned and pointed at a tree, revealing Jelani resting in its shade. Rafiki stalked toward the tree, and his three companions followed suit.
Rafiki noticed a big mandrill resting beneath the tree, with a couple youngsters scuffling in the dust around him. Rafiki stopped in front of the mandrill, and Simba noted that Jelani looked young and strong. The lion then stood out of the way with Dalila and Karibu. Jelani's eyes were closed, but Rafiki jolted him awake by speaking loudly. Jelani opened his eyes and asked in a monotonous voice what Rafiki wanted. Rafiki explained that he was Jelani's distant cousin and that Grass Walls was his home. Jelani muttered a welcome, then closed his eyes. In a trembling voice, Rafiki exclaimed that it was not a good welcome, then explained that much had changed since he was last there. He noted that his troop was no longer happy or well-fed, the water was drying up, and all the other animals were gone. Jelani shrugged and told Rafiki that "things happen."
Frustrated, Rafiki banged his stick against the ground and demanded to know why Jelani had not taken the troop to a new dwelling place. In an annoyed huff, Jelani spurted that he did not feel like it. Rafiki angrily asked Karibu why no one had challenged him, and Karibu explained that they had tried, but Jelani was still the strongest mandrill in the troop. Rafiki tried to object but found nothing to say. He gazed around the broken landscape, then shook Jelani's shoulder. Jelani opened his eyes with a start and told Rafiki off with annoyance, claiming that he was busy. He then went so far as to call Rafiki "Grandpa." Rafiki clenched his fist and told Jelani that it was time he learned to be a proper leader. Jelani stood up, towering over Rafiki. Simba told Rafiki from the sidelines to take it easy. In a shaky voice, Rafiki told Jelani to find his troop a new nesting place. Jelani leaned forward menacingly and asked who was going to make him. Rafiki planted his feet firmly in the dust and said, "I am."
Without waiting for an answer, Rafiki turned to the gathered mandrills and announced that the troop was going to find a new dwelling place. One of the young mandrills fretted that the journey would be long and that many of them were sick. He asked who would lead them, to which Rafiki informed the troop that he would lead them. The mandrills began buzzing with excitement, but Jelani's booming voice broke through the noise. He told Rafiki that this would not happen if he could help it. The crowd gradually drew away, and Rafiki was left alone to face Jelani. Rafiki waved his stick in Jelani's face and told him to stay where he was, but Jelani only laughed and asked if he was going to hit him with the stick.
At that moment, Simba broke through the crowd and growled that if it were up to him, he would just chew on Jelani's toes for a while. Jelani stepped back in surprise and asked where Simba had come from. Simba told Jelani that he was the Lion King, the ruler of the Pride Lands, and that he understood that the troop was moving out. Jelani made a face and commented that it was a lot of hard work to move out and that "it will rain soon enough." Simba roared and said that it was not "soon enough" for him. He announced that they were leaving in the morning and asked Jelani if he would come. Jelani swallowed nervously and begrudgingly agreed. Rafiki and Simba exchanged a smile, and Simba said that he had thought Jelani would see their way.
The next morning, the troop set out on their journey. At first, they did well and covered a lot of ground, but as the days went on, the mandrills grew weak, even those who were strong and powerful like Jelani. Finally, Karibu was too weak to go on. She collapsed on the ground in a mangled heap and began pleading with the troop to go on without her. Rafiki urged her to stand, but she was unable to do even that. Jelani pushed through the crowd of huddled mandrills and urged his aunt to get up. Once again, Karibu refused. Finally, Jelani reached down and gently hoisted his aunt onto his shoulders. The mandrills grew quiet and stared at Jelani until he asked them what they were waiting for. The pace quickened, and the troop headed out.
Finally, Rafiki led his troop to a lush jungle. The mandrills were relieved and eagerly crowded into their new home. The younger mandrills splashed playfully into a giant pool of water as Jelani carried his aunt to the river's edge. The next morning, he came to Rafiki and said that he had woken up early that morning and explored the area. He eagerly told him that he had found a safe area near the waterfall where the troop could rest and live. Rafiki commented that Jelani had changed, and Jelani said that he had been wrong to neglect his troop. He admitted that he should have moved them out long ago, but he had been too selfish and lazy. He admitted that when he had seen his aunt fall, he had come to his senses and realized that it was his fault that they were in such a mess. Jelani shook his head and said that he would think of the troop first. Rafiki nodded and told Jelani that he was happy to hear it and that Jelani understood what it meant to be a leader.
==Physical appearance==
Jelani is noticeably bigger and stronger than the mandrills in his troop. He has dark gray fur, a pale chest, and brown hands and feet. He looks almost exactly like his cousin, Rafiki, but has a noticeably smaller white mane and no beard.
==Personality and traits==
Initially, Jelani was lazy and selfish. Despite being the leader of his troop, he was unconcerned about the suffering of his subjects and put his own welfare first. He was somewhat of a tyrant, as he frequently took advantage of his physical power over the other mandrills and refused to lead them to a new home. At one point, Rafiki challenged him, and Jelani showed no hesitance in fighting his own cousin.
However, after Rafiki led the troop to a new home, Jelani had a change of heart. He became more concerned about his family and friends, such as when he carried a fallen Karibu across the desert. He also developed more responsibility and dedication to his subjects, as he took it upon himself to find the troop a better sleeping place. He is humble and aware of his past mistakes; he even apologized to Rafiki about the near death of his troop. Jelani understands the mistakes he made and is determined to take on full responsibility for his troop.
==Appearances==
* The Lion King: Six New Adventures
** Follow the Leader
==Trivia==
* Another character named Jelani appears in Simba and the Lost Waterfall.
==References==
Category:Antagonists
Category:Characters
Category:Leaders
Category:Males
Category:Mandrills