Ma Tembo

Mlezi (Sister)

Three Unnamed Cousins

Zito (Mate)

Zigo (Daughter)

Johari (Son)

Mtoto (Nephew)

Chama (Adopted Nephew)

**Ma Tembo** is a female elephant and the daughter of Aminifu and Shina. She is the older sister to Mlezi. She is the mate to Zito and the mother to Zigo and Johari.

She is the matriarch of her heard, that reside in Kilio Valley.

## Appearance

Ma Tembo is a gray elephant with a paler underbelly. Her right tusk is broken. She has a few small hairs atop her head and a few darker markings across her forehead.

## Personality

Ma Tembo is kind, easygoing and compassionate. She is very forgiving. She is also sympathetic and likes to stick to tradition. She is also a brave leader and protective of her beard, and will do anything to protect them and to stick together.

## History

Ma Tembo, born under the name ‘Tembo’, was born to Aminifu and Shina. Ma Tembo had been born more quicker than most elephants, at 18 months, and her mother had worried that she would not be smart enough. Her father, Aminifu, was the leader of the herd. Their herd was the only elephant herd that took both males and females in, keeping their joint family together. Tembo’s younger sister, Mlezi, was born four human years later. Tembo grew up as a wise elephant. She remembered the birth of Prince Simba and part of King Mufasa’s reign. Tembo enjoyed talking to the other herds and with her sister and their three cousins. However, things took a dark turn when Mufasa and Simba were both dead (only Mufasa was), and Scar became king. He allowed the hyenas to run rampage. Tembo was worried for her herd during these times, but Aminifu would assure the herd that they would need to stay together. Tembo would eventually become mates with Zito, a rather stubborn member of the herd, and together they would have Zigo and Johari, twins. Twins were quite rare for elephants to have, and this was a highly celebrated event in the herd.

Eventually, the hyenas made their way to Kilio Valley, the home of the elephants, during the mid-end of Scar’s reign. The drought had become so bad that were was barely any food for anyone, and most were just scrapping by. Some herds had chose to seek refuge in the nearby Grass Lands, however Aminifu believed that if they stayed strong, good things would happen. The hyenas attacked in attempts to get more food. Tembo and the herd fought their best, however Tembo’s right rusk was broken in the fight. The herd eventually moved to the edge of the Grass Lands, with Aminifu always having hope. When Simba returned, Aminifu led the herd back straight away, with all the other herds following along. Tembo was proud of her father. Unfortunately, Aminifu would pass away not long after, and now Ma Tembo took up the job as matriarch. Ma Tembo had affectionate relationship with Prince Kion, leader of the Lion Guard. Ma Tembo, alongside some of the other herds, helped defend the Pride Lands when Scar’s spirt returned.

## Trivia

* Tembo’s name translates to ‘Elephants’ in Swahili
* Ma Tembo is older than Simba, by around 15 humans years
* Ma Tembo believes that the heard sticks together, and are a big family
* Ma Tembo would pass away around the time of Season 7