Ma Tembo

―Ma Tembo, after Kilio Valley burns down[src] | ”

**Ma Tembo** is a female elephant. She is the leader of a herd of elephants in the Pride Lands.

When the Army of Scar burned Kilio Valley to the ground, Ma Tembo and her herd were left without a home. Though they tried to move in with other animal groups, they were continually rejected and forced to move on. Eventually, Ma Tembo deduced that the elephants must leave the Pride Lands, as they were an unwanted burden on the other Pride Landers. However, after the herd helped save the galagos from a fire, Laini invited them to move into Ndefu Grove with her and her fellows.

Later, when Scar's army began waging war on the Pride Lands, Ma Tembo joined her fellow Pride Landers in fighting them off and eventually defeating them altogether with an invasion of the Outlands.

## Biography

### Early life

―Ma Tembo[src] | ”

Ma Tembo was born to Aminifu. She lived in the Pride Lands. As a calf, she celebrated the Ukumbusho Tradition every year with her herd. She came to greatly admire and enjoy the holiday.

### Aminifu's funeral

—Ma Tembo and Simba on Aminifu[src] | ”

Following the death of her father, Aminifu, Ma Tembo became the leader of her herd. When Simba arrived at Kilio Valley with Nala and Zazu for Aminifu's funeral, he saw members of Aminifu's herd leaving flowers on the old elephant's body while Ma Tembo stood watch. Saddened by the sight, Simba led Nala and Zazu down into the valley.

After the flower ceremony, Simba gathered the herd to give his tribute. Ma Tembo announced the king, and Simba started by recounting his friendship with Aminifu and how he would always remember the old elephant fondly. He attempted to give the standard elephantese tribute of "He had good on him," but accidentally said, "He had poop on him."

Though horrified at this turn of events, Simba began to smile as the herd broke into laughter. Ma Tembo explained that her father had always had poop on him and that it had made them laugh. She fondly added that he had always made them laugh. When Simba still looked unsure, Ma Tembo thanked him for the tribute, and Simba commented that Aminifu had certainly had good on him. Ma Tembo agreed and laughingly added that he had had more poop on him.

### Kupatana

―Ma Tembo[src] | ”

While on patrol, Beshte and Bunga saw Ma Tembo bathing in the watering hole. They wished her a happy Kupatana, and she returned the greeting.

### Elephant concert

―Ma Tembo, to Simba[src] | ”

When the elephants held their first concert of the season, Simba and his family resolved to be in attendance. Along the way, Simba got trapped in a sinkhole, and Kiara and Nala were forced to go on without him. They witnessed the concert and praised the elephants after their song. Just then, Simba arrived with the Lion Guard, Timon, and Pumbaa. He apologized to Ma Tembo for being late, and Ma Tembo accepted his apology. He then performed "Hakuna Matata" for the elephants alongside his family, Timon, Pumbaa, and the Lion Guard.

### Savannah Summit

―Ma Tembo, before the Savannah Summit[src] | ”

Ma Tembo was invited by Simba to the Savannah Summit. Along with the other animal leaders, she journeyed to Pride Rock, where Simba announced that Makuu, the untrustworthy crocodile leader, had also been invited. Together, the party proceeded to Mizimu Grove, during which Simba and Zazu stressed the importance of equality and unity.

That evening, Kion lied to the Pride Lander leaders that Makuu had fallen into a pit and lost his life. Horrified, Twiga and Vuruga Vuruga exclaimed that they had never intended for Makuu to get hurt, only to fall into a pit of rotten fruit. Just then, Makuu revealed himself and announced to the gathered animals that he had come to the Summit with the intention of helping his float and the Pride Lands but that he had only received distrust and hostility in return. The Pride Landers feared Makuu's wrath, but he merely prompted Simba to let the Summit go on. Negotiations were then reinstated.

### Traveling Baboon Show

―Ma Tembo, after she notices food missing[src] | ”

While patrolling the Pride Lands, the Lion Guard noticed several animals taking off in the same direction, including Ma Tembo. They followed the commotion to where Ma Tembo and a large group of Pride Landers had gathered beneath a tree, and Mbeya the rhinoceros explained that the animals had gathered to see a troop of performing baboons. At that moment, Uroho, Mwevi, and Mwizi appeared and performed for Ma Tembo and the rest of the audience. After the show, Ma Tembo left.

Later, the Lion Guard heard Ma Tembo crying for help, and they followed her voice to where a tree had been completely stripped of its flowers and leaves. Ma Tembo declared that there was a food thief in the Pride Lands. The Lion Guard resolved to find the thief and restore order to the Pride Lands. Meanwhile, Ma Tembo left to let the Lion Guard inspect the tree further.

After Uroho, Mwevi, and Mwizi were discovered to be the food thieves, Ma Tembo and several other Pride Landers lined up to receive their food back. Uroho handed Ma Tembo a fruit, which she gratefully accepted. After all the food had been returned, the baboons put on another show for Ma Tembo and the other animals.

### Finding water

―Ma Tembo[src] | ”

In the Pride Lands, the dry season had started, and the Lion Guard was busier than ever. During their patrol, Ono informed his friends that Janja's clan was attacking Ma Tembo and her herd. The Lion Guard arrived at the scene to see Janja and his minions attacking the elephants.

The team drove the hyenas away, and Ma Tembo explained that the hyenas had been desperate because of the dry season. She also told them that she was trying to find a new water source for her herd. Kion sympathized with Ma Tembo and assured her that he knew how difficult it could be to serve as a new leader. Ma Tembo and her herd then departed to continue the search for water.

Later, Ono told Kion that Janja and his crew were causing trouble again. This time, they were attacking the baboons who had started following Ma Tembo's herd. The Lion Guard arrived and had the elephants run into a rocky gorge. Kion then blasted the hyenas away with the Roar of the Elders.

With the hyenas gone, the baboons revealed that they were following Ma Tembo to a new water source. Ma Tembo resumed her search for a new water source while a concerned Kion decided to talk to his father.

Later, Rafiki's new apprentice, Makini, ordered the crowd of Pride Landers to be silent so Ma Tembo could hear. Ma Tembo at last heard and located a new water source, much to everyone's relief.

### Conflict with Chama

―Ma Tembo[src] | ”

When Chama proved to be too much of a handful for her herd, Ma Tembo kicked him out. Later, Kion and Bunga accompanied Chama back to his herd, where Ma Tembo explained that Chama was a disruption to the other elephants. Kion encouraged Ma Tembo to give Chama another chance, and she begrudgingly agreed, only because it was Kion who had asked the favor of her. However, when Chama could not fit in with the other elephants, he left the herd again.

(To be continued)

## Physical appearance

Ma Tembo has the characteristic large and rounded frame of the elephant, with floppy ears, thick legs, and a winding trunk. Unlike the other members of her herd, who are blue and gray in color, she is pale gray tinged with pink, with a lighter gray chest, toenails, and trunk tip. Her inner ears are a deeper shade of pink than her main body, and her eyelids are rimmed with dark gray. Like her father, Aminifu, she bears spots on her back. She also has three markings on her forehead. A patch of stunt brown hairs sticks up from her head, and one of her tusks is broken at the tip. Her eyes are dark blue.

## Personality and traits

—Ma Tembo and Simba, when the Ukumbusho Tradition is altered[src] | ”

Ma Tembo is always game for a laugh. Even when Simba made a mistake at her father Aminifu's funeral, she was gracious and kind, and made light of the situation by dwelling on the good. She is similarly gracious to Nala and Kiara when they were the only members of their family to attend the elephant concert.

As a leader, Ma Tembo is strong-willed and dutiful. She takes her responsibilities seriously and strives to protect her herd at all costs. Despite her position, she is humble and takes instruction well from those in authority, such as Simba. She is also brave and ready to serve her kingdom in battle. Like most elephants, Ma Tembo reveres tradition and likes for ceremonies such as the Ukumbusho Tradition to be executed perfectly and respectfully. Even so, she is open to creating new traditions.

## Relationships

Allies* Ma Tembo's herd - Subordinates
	+ Zito - Friend
	+ Mtoto - Friend
	+ Mtoto's mother
	+ Johari
	+ Zigo
* Simba's pride
	+ Simba - Close Friend
	+ Nala
	+ Kiara - Friend
	+ Kovu
	+ Mufasa †
	+ Sarabi
	+ Tiifu
	+ Zuri
* Night Pride
	+ Kion - Close Friend and Savior
	+ Bunga
	+ Fuli
	+ Ono
	+ Beshte
	+ Anga
	+ Rani
	+ Surak
	+ Nirmala
	+ Baliyo
* Royal Mjuzis
	+ Makini - Friend
	+ Rafiki †
* Pride Landers - Former Teammates
	+ Timon
	+ Pumbaa
	+ Zazu
	+ Mbeya
	+ Bupu
	+ Twiga
	+ Baboon leader
	+ Vuruga Vuruga
	+ Makuu - Former Enemy
	+ Chama - Former Subordinate
	+ Laini - Close Friend
	+ Hadithi
	+ Boboka
	+ Kifaru
	+ Basi - Friend
	+ Muhangus
	+ Thurston
	+ Mwenzi
	+ Hodari
* Traveling Baboon Show - Temporary Enemies
	+ Uroho - Friend
	+ Mwevi
	+ Mwizi
* Jasiri's clan
	+ Jasiri
	+ Janja - Former Attempted Victim and Recruiter
	+ Cheezi - Former Enemy
	+ Chungu - Former Enemy
	+ Nne
	+ Tano
	+ Madoa
* Sokwe's troop
	+ Shujaa - Former Teammate
	+ Sokwe
	+ Majinuni
	+ Hafifu
* Lion Guard
	+ Vitani
	+ Imara
	+ Kasi
	+ Shabaha
	+ Tazama
	+ Kopa
* Reirei's pack - Former Enemies
	+ Reirei - Former Attempted Victim
	+ Goigoi
* Kiburi's float - Former Enemies
	+ Kiburi
	+ Tamka
* Mzingo's parliament - Former Enemies
	+ Mzingo
	+ Mwoga
* Pinguino's rookery
	+ Pinguino
* Great Lions of the Past
	+ Askari †
	+ Janna †
* Timon's colony
* Azaad - Recruiter
* Varya
* Binga
* Ma
* Chuluun
* Kitendo
* Fikiri
	+ Scar †
	+ Ushari †
	+ Dogo
	+ Dogo's brothers
	+ Nduli - Attempted Killer
	+ Kijana
* Shupavu's group
	+ Shupavu
	+ Njano
	+ Nyeusi
	+ Nyata
	+ Waza
* Outsiders
	+ Strange lion
* Makucha's army
	+ Mama Binturong
	+ Makucha
	+ Ora
	+ Jiona
	+ Fahari - Attempted Victim
* Smun's prickle
	+ Smun

## Appearances

* *The Lion King: Revisited*
	+ "Return of the Roar"
	+ "The Rise of Scar"
	+ "Snow Day"
	+ "Hyena Resistance"
	+ "Pride Landers Unite!"
	+ "The Ultimate Showdown"
	+ "Battle for the Pride Lands"
	+ "Return to the Pride Lands"
	+ "Epilogue: An Important Coronation"
	+ "Lion Guard: Wild Schemes and Catastrophes"

## Trivia

* Ma Tembo was voiced by Lynette DuPree.
	+ *Epilogue: An Important Coronation* dedicates DuPree's memory.

* The first part of Ma Tembo's name ("ma") means "mother," while the latter part ("tembo") means "elephant" in Swahili.