Rafiki

* Lion King
* Lion Guard

### Enemies

Scar, Shenzi, Banzai and Ed, the hyenas, Zira, Nuka, Vitani (formerly), The Outsiders (formerly), Jumbo Jumbo, Reirei, Janja (formerly), Goigoi, Cheezi (formerly), Chungu (formerly), Nne and Tano (formerly), Kiburi

### Powers and abilities

Kung Fu skills and mystical abilities

“*You follow ol' Rafiki! He knows the way!*”

―Rafiki to Simba
**Rafiki** is a mandrill who is a supporting character in Disney's 1994 animated feature film *The Lion King*.

## Background

It is revealed in the storybook *A Tale of Two Brothers* that Rafiki wasn't always a resident of the Pride Lands. Years before Simba and Mufasa's reign, Rafiki was a traveler studying the African lands who eventually stumbled upon the Pride Lands, where he was attacked by a young Shenzi, Banzai and Ed. The mandrill was saved by Ahadi, the former ruler of the Pride Lands and father of Mufasa and Scar(then known as Taka).

Eventually taking residence in the vast lands, Rafiki would soon become close companions with Mufasa and one day overheard Taka's plot to sabotage his brother's reputation, only to be foiled by the mandrill. The end results in Taka falling injured, with Rafiki using his abilities to tend to his wounds and heal him, though one mark remains on the lion's body - his scar, thus becoming the dangerously-envious Prince Scar.

Rafiki's heroic performance throughout the event lead to Ahadi requesting that the mandrill serve as adviser to all future kings, which Rafiki accepts.

By the time of *The Lion King*, Rafiki lives in an ancient baobab tree, where he regularly performs shamanistic activities.

### Personality

Rafiki is extremely sagacious and wise. His way of exploiting his intelligence, however, is highly irregular; he prefers to teach his pupils (such as Simba) by bombarding them with cryptic metaphors, and typically in a way that purposely annoys them. He takes great joy in this, and although unconventional, the methods of his teaching have proven to be effective time and time again. It should be noted that part of the reason Rafiki's teachings are rather eccentric is the fact that Rafiki, himself, is fairly eccentric. He is excitable, energetic in spite of his age, and tends to fall into fits of hysterical laughter when something amuses him. He also tends to speak in third person when speaking of himself.

Nevertheless, much as his reputation would conceive, Rafiki does have a tamer side. He takes his role as sage of the Pride Lands somberly, and will act diligently to ensure the balance of the "Circle of Life" remains intact. He is also deeply connected to the spiritual world, as he is seen communicating (both professionally and casually) with Mufasa's spirit in *The Lion King II: Simba's Pride*.

## History

### *Timon and Pumbaa*

Rafiki appears in a few episodes of the *Timon and Pumbaa* TV series and also has his own series of episodes called "Rafiki Fables" in the same show. In the episode "Rafiki's Apprentice", Rafiki is shown to have a nephew named Nefu and, at the same time, Rafiki is portrayed as being a sorcerer/shaman and his walking stick is his magic staff, which Nefu messes with and ends up causing trouble (a plot somewhat similar to *The Sorcerer's Apprentice*).

He makes occasional appearances outside of his own stories in Timon and Pumbaa's stories, acting as a therapist during times of stress within their friendship. It is also shown that Rafiki can grant wishes (or as he calls them, "Rafiki Wishes", with his policy being only one wish per animal) and can also take back wishes as well.

### *The Lion King 1½*

Rafiki appears briefly in the midquel *The Lion King 1½*, and is referred to by Timon simply as *"The Monkey"*.

He is first seen briefly after Timon leaves his meerkat colony in search of a better life away from predators and free of tunnel digging. After explaining this to Rafiki, the mandrill openly realizes Timon seeks "Hakuna Matata", meaning "No worries", and thus introduces the meerkat to the problem-free philosophy. Rafiki then explains that, in order to find Hakuna Matata, one must look beyond what they see, setting Timon's journey in motion.

Later on, Rafiki is seen speaking with Timon's mother about his meeting with her son. Believing Rafiki sent Timon out to find a life nonexistent, resulting in him finding danger, instead, Ma scolds the mandrill and heads out to find Timon with her uncle, Max. Years later, Rafiki is seen visiting Timon at the latter's jungle oasis, where he (somewhat) enlightens Timon on what it is to be a true friend and the true power of Hakuna Matata.

During the film's finale, Rafiki is lastly seen attending the theater viewing of the film, alongside the other characters from the film, as well as a large amount of Disney characters.

### **The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar**

Rafiki is with Simba and Nala on Pride Rock. After hearing Kion roar, he is certain that it is time for Kion to accept his destiny as Leader of the Lion Guard. Rafiki attempts to persuade Simba into letting Kion in on the Lion Guard's secrets despite Simba's obvious concerns. Rafiki explains it further for Simba, and together they take Kion and Bunga into The Lair of the Lion Guard. After hearing his new duty, Kion leaves, with Rafiki certain that he'll choose the best lions for the job.
Rafiki is later seen with Simba, Nala and Tiifu, watching as Kion and the new Lion Guard take down the hyenas and save Kiara. Once again, he knows that it is time, and this time, Simba agrees.

Rafiki's character often serves as the visual narrator of the story of *The Lion King*. He is shown to be a dear friend toMufasa. He presents newborn cubs to all the animals gathered at Pride Rock, and draws a stylized lion cub on the walls of his treehouse home to represent Simba's birth. When Simba runs away and his family believes him dead, Rafiki draws his paw across the Simba drawing, obscuring it in grief. Later, after picking up Simba's scent in the dust and pollen in the air, Rafiki determines that Simba is still alive and restores the drawing, adding the full mane of an adult lion as a sign to seek out this young deliverer from Scar's tyranny. Journeying to the jungle where Simba lives with Timon and Pumbaa, Rafiki observes Simba and recognizes, at least in principle, that he is suffering from a ponderous emotional burden.

To treat it, he approaches the young lion and teaches him a few playful (and sometimes painful) lessons about learning from the past, not running from it. He also points out that the spirit and values of Simba's late father Mufasa continue to live in Simba himself. During this scene, Rafiki incessantly repeats the Swahili phrase "*Asante sana, squash banana, we we nugu, mi mi apana*", which roughly translates to "Thank you very much, squash banana, you are a baboon, and I am not." When Simba decides to return to Pride Rock and fight Scar for the kingship, Rafiki accompanies him, demonstrating his kung fu skills in battle against the hyenas ans saves him from a hyena who tried to attack him by bashing the hyena in head hard with his stick. At the end of the film, Rafiki raises Simba and Nala's new-born cub atop Pride Rock for everyone to see, echoing the beginning of the film.

Judging by their meeting at Timon and Pumbaa's home, it would seem that Simba had not met Rafiki before that point or at the very least does not remember him.

### Bunga the Wise

In Bunga the Wise, Rafiki appears gathering baobabs after the storm and

 File:Bunga-the-Wise (977).png  mentions that honey badgers are smart as the Lion Guard doubt Bunga's intelligence. However, he drops his fruit and, as he finishes his statement, everyone disappeared. Near the end of the adventure, Rafiki is meditating nearby, when he sees Bunga about to do something foolish. This time, he tells him that honey badgers are only smart when they think before they leap. This came too late for Bunga, however, as he dove into the mud.

### Eye of the Beholder

Rafiki is painting in The Lair of the Lion Guard when the Guard arrive with a wounded Ono lying on Beshte's back. Rafiki knows just what to do, and gets to work. He gives Ono a green eye path, advising him to stay out of trouble for three days, much to the

 File:Eye-of-the-Beholder (204).png  egret's disappointment. Fuli soon sees Rafiki's paintings, and the baboon explains that he paints all of the previous Lion Guards and their tales and that he now has to paint in the new Lion Guard. Rafiki isn't happy with his work, and although Kion asks Ono what he thinks, Bunga doesn't believe that Ono can see anything. Ono takes off in a huff, leaving Rafiki to celebrate over his art, believing something to be missing. Later, Kion is posing dramatically for Rafiki, who is still painting. Still not happy with the outcome, Bunga suggests that Kion poses 'more like a lion', and attempts to move his body around for a more powerful pose. Rafiki becomes increasingly annoyed, and Bunga then suggests painting him instead, launching himself into a variety of dynamic poses until a coconut shell covers his head. Kion laughs, though Rafiki's annoyance

 File:Eye-of-the-Beholder (620).png  does not diminish. Kion apologizes, but Rafiki ushers everyone out and begins to meditate, stating that he needs some peace. His peace is disturbed almost immediately much to his disappointment, as Beshte comes charging in with some news. After the Guard leaves (without Ono this time), Rafiki continues complaining about his paintings, to which Ono admits that he can't see a problem. Rafiki soon realizes that the problem is that Kion doesn't just lead the Guard - they are all friends, something which the previous Guards were not, and that the current Guard belongs together. Ono soon takes note of his words, thanking him as he realizes that, eye or no eye, he belongs with them. He takes off through the top to join the others. As the Guard return from their latest journey, Rafiki has finally finished his portrait of the latest Lion Guard. He asks what Ono thinks (whose eye has now healed), who is

 File:Eye-of-the-Beholder (932).png  impressed. Rafiki thanks him, and the Lion Guard watch as the pictures re-assemble together to form a pyramid-like structure. Rafiki closes by saying that this Lion Guard is better off together.

### The Kupatana Celebration

Rafiki is seen with the royal lions entering the Kupatana Celebration from

 File:The-Kupatana-Celebration (774).png  atop a rock. He welcomes the peace ceremony along with Simba, Nala, Kiara, and Kion. After Simba makes a small speech, Rafiki steps forward, announcing that it is time. As soon as he speaks, the baobab flowers bloom, scattering their petals.

### Fuli's New Family

 File:Fuli's-New-Family (90).png  When Bunga is bitten by Ushari, the Lion Guard take the honey badger to see Rafiki. Rafiki pops down from his tree with some fruits in his hands but does nothing to help. Although the others are shocked, Rafiki explains that nothing needs to be done as Bunga is, in fact, immune to snake bites.

### Paintings and Predictions

 File:Paintings-and-predictions-1080 (58).png  Rafiki finishes painting a giraffe just before Bunga slams into the wall of the cave beside his new painting. Pleased, he announces that he is finished before tapping the painting with his staff. The giraffe brightens and begins to walk. Rafiki observes that the neck is much too short, and Bunga, hanging from a vine by his foot, adds that it is also upside down. Rafiki replies that he can fix that, and prods the vine, causing Bunga to fall to the ground. Rafiki erases the painting with his hand and declares, "One longer giraffe neck coming up!"

 File:Paintings-and-predictions-1080 (240).png  He later appears painting the mane of the giraffe. He dips his finger into his bowl, then realizes he is out of mango. He fetches more, and just as he returns, Beshte and Bunga leave the Lair. He makes a sound of surprise and picks up his staff upon discovering that another type of juice has been spilled, its bowl overturned completely. Later during the day, Rafiki is surprised to hear that Bunga believed that his paintings told the future. He asks Bunga why he came to that conclusion, and Bunga tells him that they witnessed an event similar to that shown in one of Rafiki's paintings. Rafiki laughs, taps Bunga on the head with his staff, and orders him not to take his staff.

 File:Paintings-and-predictions-1080 (482).png  He then explains that Bunga had watched the paintings move backward and that the paintings did not show the future, but the past. He informs the Guard that the paintings show the history of the Pride Lands. Bunga points out the painting of a cub that resembles Kion falling from a branch, and Rafiki responds that if he leaps to conclusions, he'll leap to confusions. He announces that the cub depicted in the painting was actually Kion's grandfather, the father of Nala. He pokes Bunga on the nose and adds that he did not watch the whole thing. He tells the Guard that Kion's grandfather did indeed climb a tree and fall, but was rescued by the Lion Guard of his time.

 File:Paintings-and-predictions-1080 (507).png  After finishing the story, he comments that one painting does show the future and points to it with his staff. It shows Bunga scrubbing the floor of the cave, and Rafiki hands Bunga some leaves, which Bunga then uses to clean the blue liquid that he spilled earlier while Rafiki and the Guard laugh.

### The Mbali Fields Migration

Rafiki is mentioned by Bunga. When Muhimu announces that she needs to reach the grazing grounds before 'it is time', Bunga responds with "*Don't get all Rafiki on me, Muhimu*".

### Beware the Zimwi

 File:Beware-the-zimwi-hd (19).png  Rafiki tells a story to Kion, Bunga, Fuli, Ono, Mtoto, Young Rhino, a hare and two porcupines at night just outside his home. The story refers to a mysterious creature known as the Zimwi, which only comes out on at night during a full moon. Bunga promptly points out that it's a full moon already, which frightens the younger animals. Before Rafiki can say anymore, the animals hear a strange noise which is revealed to be Beshte, who explains that he is practicing his bellowing for The Bellow Fellows.

 File:Beware-the-zimwi-hd (85).png  Rafiki becomes chafed by their interest in Beshte's story and starts to walk away. Bunga calls him back, and the animals ask him to finish his story. He then sings the rest of the story to them, explaining how the Zimwi is as tall as two giraffes, have eight legs and teeth sharper than a crocodile's. The younger animals are frightened, so Fuli asks Rafiki if it's just a story. He replies ambiguously, ushering the children to bed. Kion thanks him for the story, and Rafiki bounds back up his tree.

### Lions of the Outlands

 File:Lions-of-the-outlands (319).png  Rafiki is in The Lair of the Lion Guard examining paintings on the ground. When Bunga suggests that he race Fuli, Rafiki laughs, considering it to be a foolish idea. Bunga mentions that Kion has gone to talk to lions in the Outlands, which horrifies Rafiki. Using paintings on the walls, Rafiki reveals that the lions in the Outlands are called Outsiders, a pride banished by Simba because they were loyal to Scar. He believes that if they find out Kion is Simba's son, there will be trouble.

### The Trail to Udugu

 File:The-Trail-To-Udugu (183).png  During *Running with the King*, Rafiki can be seen making a mud statue of Simba and Bunga. A little later, he is seen laughing with Simba along a thin path. Simba smacks a bee off his nose and accidentally sends Rafiki flying off the edge. He lands softly on some vines below. When Simba peers down to check on him, Rafiki shrugs it off amicably.

### The Savannah Summit

 File:The-savannah-summit (323).png  Rafiki is attempting to paint a portrait of Big Baboon and Mbeya in Mizimu Grove for the Savannah Summit, although he struggles to finish it as Mbeya refuses to stand up. When the Lion Guard arrive having heard a cry from Zazu, Rafiki guides him towards the hornbill. When the Guard ask him what's going on, the mandrill laughs and informs them that they must reach the 'bottom' of things, causing Bunga to laugh at his jape. When Zazu is freed, he turns to Rafiki and checks to make sure he won't be in the portrait. Rafiki assures him that it won't make it into the official portrait, but his voice suggests that he might appear in another one.

### The Lion Guard: The Rise of Scar

 File:TLG-The-Rise-of-Scar (598).png  Rafiki is seen finishing a painting in his tree until he hears the lions of the past whisper something in his ear and he leaves his tree. Then, he meets Makini who's very excited to become his apprentice; Rafiki tries to teach the young mandrill about calmness and patience he has a bit of a hard time. Suggesting that Makini made need something to ground her, Rafiki tells her to search for her own Bakora staff pointing her towards that are just outside of his home and reminding her about calmness before she goes.

 File:TLG-The-Rise-of-Scar (927).png  Sometime later, he is happy to see that Makini has found her Bakora Staff decorating it with gourds and the two make there the way to Pride Rock. Before they left, Rafiki is asked if there is a way to hear the bad lions of the past but he shrugs it off and will answer it at a later time. They make it to the Lair of the Lion Guard, where Rafiki introduces Makini to the rest of the Lion Guard; Beshte asks Rafiki why he needs an apprentice and asks if he's okay and he replies yes. He explains that in a painting showing when Makini was born the Great Kings of the Past chose her to be the next Royal Mjuzi and he asks Kion to gather the rest of his family for an official introduction before the two mandrills leave the lair. He asks Makini to try out her staff on the paintings and it works, Rafiki also explains that he is responsible for creating some of the paintings in the lair and many others were painted by previous Royal Mjuzis and it will be her turn.

 File:TLG-The-Rise-of-Scar (1111).png  Returning to Makini's early question, to which Rafiki called a very serious one he accepted that his apprentice must know the good as well as the bad. Through a painting, Rafiki explains that the Great Kings of the Past appear in the sky, their voices are in the wind and are seen every time Kion roars but the bad lions of the past are summoned through fire along with a combination of Kion's roar and throwing the bakora staff into the source of the fire. The bad lions of the past will appear even Scar, Makini thanks him for answering her question to which his grateful to do but he laughs at the fact that talking to bad lions is a bad idea.

 File:TLG-The-Rise-of-Scar (1876).png  Then, he introduces Makini to the Royal family after the young mandrill does it herself (much to his chagrin). After that, he sees Makini go off with Kiara to see if they can help Ma Tembo. Later in the day, Rafiki waits along with the rest of the Pride Landers as Ma Tembo tries to find a new water source. Seeing that Makini has learned the meaning of quiet and calmness, he praises her for a job well done. When Makini points out that her staff is missing, Rafiki assures her that she can get a new one.

### Rafiki's New Neighbors

Rafiki teaches Makini to paint by listening to the Great Lions of the Past to hear what they want him to paint. He paints

 File:Rafikis-new-neighbors (54).png  a portrait of princess Kiara and hands the bowl to Makini. But a commotion causes her to drop the bowl instead. Rafiki drops down to investigate and discovers an elephant named Chama, a monkey named Furaha and a sable antelope named Mzaha messing around. After introducing themselves, they tell Rafiki that they're moving in downstairs, but Rafiki insists they leave. Makini persuades her mentor to let them stay, and he reluctantly agrees, provided they stay quiet enough for Makini to practice. After revealing to her that she will be painting for the royal family.

 File:Rafikis-new-neighbors (127).png  But the noise is too much for Rafiki, so he leaves to do some meditating. The Lion Guard notice him, and Rafiki explains what has happened When Beshte wonders why they aren't in their herds, and Rafiki admits that they don't stop talking long enough for him to ask. The Guard agree to see what they can do. After the Guard follow him back, Rafiki approaches Makini, who has started chanting with the animals. After she leaves, Rafiki encourages the animals to return home to play their part in the Circle of Life, and they finally agree to do so. Later, as Makini starts to paint again, her bowl is knocked out of her hands by a familiar commotion. With Rafiki startled, he peers down to see the three animals have returned, discussing their new living quarters. They tell Rafiki that they just don't belong in their herds, but Rafiki orders them to find their own home, and the disappointed group eventually leave.

 File:Rafikis-new-neighbors (396).png  As Makini resumes painting a bit later, a few small flames drift over and start a fire outside. Makini finishes her painting, but before Rafiki shares his opinion, he smells the smoke. As the two mandrills call out for help, Chama, Mzaha, and Furaha return to help out. Chama starts by inhaling dirt and sprays it along the path leading to the tree. Mzaha then uses his short horns to create a trench leading there while Furaha keeps digging more for the trench. After calling to them, Rafiki lands on Chama and Makini lands on Mzaha, dropping her Bakora Staff. Rafiki refuses her to go back for it since another staff can be found, but she is unique. After the mandrills express their gratitude away from the fire, the three animals return to save the tree, much to Rafiki's surprise.

 File:Rafikis-new-neighbors (534).png  After the fire has been put out, Rafiki offers his three saviors the opportunity to live next to his tree, if they can be a bit quieter. But the animals kindly decline, since they have found a tree near Big Springs where they can be as loud as they want. Rafiki insists that they at least be his guest at the ceremony, and they accept. Makini, however, worries a little.

At Pride Rock, Simba makes an announcement about Makini's duties. After listening to the Lions of the Past, she paints an image of Simba, Nala, Kiara and Kion, which amazes the surrounding animals. Rafiki proudly joins his apprentice, pleased to see that she succeeded.

### The Ukumbusho Tradition

Rafiki informs Makini that she will be painting the elephants for the Ukumbusho show.

### The Bite of Kenge

When a monitor lizard named Kenge bites and paralyzes Kion, Beshte, and Fuli, Ono is sent to get help from Rafiki. But when he is greeted by Makini, she explains that he's away for the day, and she steps in for him.

### Timon and Pumbaa's Christmas

 File:Timon-and-pumbaas-christmas (7).png  Makini listens to her mentor as he explains Kupatana to her. He goes on to say that as a Mjuzi, she too, will need to know all Pride Lands' traditions. She notices a painting of Timon, and Rafiki shows her Timon placing a Star Fruit on top of a Christmas tree. Noticing her confusion, Rafiki offers to explain Christmas to her, starting by showing her a large star which appears all day and night, the day before Christmas.

After telling the tale of how Timon and Pumbaa brought Christmas to the Pride Lands, he finishes by saying that it celebrates the gift of family, friends and the joy of being together. Makini concludes that she believes Christmas to be the very essence of the Circle of Life and Rafiki agrees.

### The Golden Zebra

 File:The-golden-zebra (15).png  When a drought hits the Pride Lands, Simba speaks with Rafiki about the water shortage, asking if any of the previous Kings ever found a solution. Rafiki states that if they did, they left very few clues, tapping on of one of his paintings depicts to animate it. The painting shows an earlier King leading his animals to a large, unknown watering hole.

Simba asks Rafiki where that particular watering hole is, and Makini pipes up to inform Simba that she has seen the same watering hole in the Back Lands and that it is owned by a herd of zebras. Simba quickly concludes that the watering hole belongs to Dhahabu. When the Guard arrives, Simba asks them to locate her and request that she share her water, urging them to offer something in return.

### Divide and Conquer

Scar orders Janja's Clan and Reirei's Pack to work together and take down Rafiki, who has the power to sense the Kings of the Past, including himself.

 File:Divide-and-conquer (447).png  Near Mapango Cliffs, Rafiki meditates, when Janja's clan start to surround him. When Janja gives the signal, Rafiki awakens, grabs his bakora staff, and enters a fighting pose. To their surprise, Rafiki performs some martial art tricks on the hyenas, defeating them with ease. In the distance, Janja notices the entire Lion Guard approaching to save their friend, and comments on how their mission is not going as planned.

 File:Divide-and-conquer (495).png  The Lion Guard takes over from Rafiki, with the mandrill returning to his meditations. But not before he kicks Cheezi away. Even with a fire raging nearby, Rafiki remains unphased until the Guard suggests that he leaves his meditating. Surprised to hear the battle is still ongoing, Rafiki joins the fight once more, helping the Lion Guard to take out both Janja's clan and Reirei's pack after they join.

 File:Divide-and-conquer (624).png  In the end, he thanks the Lion Guard for allowing him to embrace his inner warrior, which has been a long time. Noticing Kion straying, Rafiki approaches him and asks what he's thinking about, but soon notices an eerie pattern burned into the ground. Fear strikes the mandrill, having recognized that pattern before. Beshte questions if it could be a coincidence, but Rafiki has his doubts, leaving to consult the paintings of the past.

### The Scorpion's Sting

 File:The-scorpions-sting (81).png  Rafiki presents the Kumbuka to the animals of the Pride Lands, singing "*Good King Simba*" as a way of honoring Simba's victory over Scar. Just as Rafiki finishes singing and turns to the King himself, Simba collapses. Rafiki hurries over and overhears Simba weakly mention his tail. The wise mandrill investigates the tail, which has a small, swollen lump. He quickly deduces that Simba has been stung by a scorpion. Kion sends Ono out to track the scorpion and, when spotted, the Lion Guard race away to deal with it while Rafiki stays with Simba.

 File:The-scorpions-sting (190).png  Back in Pride Rock, a deflated Rafiki gently places an ointment on Simba's sting. With Simba barely able to speak, Makini promises that they're trying their best, but cannot remember the cure. Her words suddenly jog Rafiki's memory, and he explains that Volcanic Ash is the only solution, although not only must it arrive by sundown, the closest volcano is the Outlands Volcano. When the Lion Guard accept the challenge for the sake of Simba, he hands Bunga a gourd. When the honey badger promptly breaks it, he locates another and hands it to Makini, promising her that the Lion Guard will protect her on their journey.

 File:The-scorpions-sting (676).png  Sundown arrives, and Rafiki wipes away a tear when the Lion Guard still has not returned. He is relieved beyond measure when Fuli races in carrying Bunga, who holds the gourd. When Fuli trips, Bunga's grip is loosened, but Rafiki catches the gourd in time. By the time Makini, Beshte, Ono, and Kion arrive, Rafiki has placed the cure on Simba. He ushers them out, explaining that Simba needs his rest. But before he leaves, Kion insists that he must speak to his father, and explains to him that Scar has returned. Concern sweeps over the mandrill, who agrees that he should speak to Simba as soon as his health has returned.

### The Wisdom of Kongwe

 File:The-wisdom-of-kongwe (38).png  After speaking with Mufasa about Scar's return, Simba wishes to speak with Kongwe, the wisest animal in the Pride Lands. He asks Makini to escort her to the Pride Lands, with Rafiki telling his apprentice that it is one of the duties of a Royal Mjuzi. When Bunga interrupts and offers his own advice, Rafiki agrees with Kion that he is 'most definitely not' seeking advice from Bunga but from Kongwe. When Beshte tells them that Kongwe lives in Urembo River, Simba worries when he learns that the trip will take half a day to walk there. Fuli offers her own assistance, and Rafiki states that she can escort the escort.

When Fuli and Makini reach Urembo River, they realize that they should have asked Rafiki what animal Kongwe is, or at least what she looks like.

That night, Kongwe arrives at Pride Rock, where she confesses that she is unable to offer any advice on how to defeat Scar. She states that the patient animal eats the ripe fruit, and Fuli translates for her confused companions, by explaining that she means that they will find the solution eventually, after taking the time to look. Rafiki agrees that this is very wise, just before Kongwe assures them all that good always triumphs over evil, in time.

### Cave of Secrets

He is mentioned by Makini as he taught her about the many paintings in the lair. Rafiki is seen in many paintings during the song Wisdom on the Walls.

### The Hyena Resistance

 File:The-hyena-resistance (209).png  Bunga goes to his tree and Rafiki fixes the back and, at Bunga's request, teaches him his moves Backward Baboon Bend, and Spinning Scorpion Sweep. Bunga keeps doing it with a stick but he keeps on falling and hitting the ground. Later, Bunga decides to heads back to Guard, and Rafiki encourages him to keep practicing.

### The Fall of Mizimu Grove

Rafiki welcomes the Pride Landers to Makini's Mpando Mapya celebration. The

 File:The Fall Of Mizimu Grove (85).png  celebration starts with Timon and Pumbaa singing a song until the Army of Scar ruins the celebration. Kion gathers the Pride Landers to help fight against the Outlanders Rafiki and Makini help too. Soon Scar shows himself in front of all the Pride Landers and claims that he will destroy all of the Pride Lands. The Pride Landers start to panic and run while Makini cries over Mizimu Grove. Rafiki goes to calm Makini. The next morning the Pride Landers are all at Pride Rock wondering if they should leave Kion has an announcement says that Makini's babobab tree has survived the attack. The Pride

 File:The Fall Of Mizimu Grove (516).png  Landers decide to all to stay together in the Pride Lands. Makini finally plants her baobab tree.

### Battle for the Pride Lands

Simba and Rafiki are looking over the Pride Lands. Years later after defeating Scar's army several times Kion and the guard have grown up. Kion uses his roar when Simba

 File:TLG-Battle-for the-Pride Lands (153).png  and Rafiki come up. Rafiki says that the roar is getting stronger as Kion gets older. Simba says that it's time to defeat Scar once and for all. They come up with a plan and gather the Pride Landers. After Scar is defeated, Rafiki looks at Ono's eyes which are damaged. He then looks at Kion's scar, which he stated he can't fix. So since there w

 File:TLG-Battle-for the-Pride Lands (2296).png  as no cure for Kion in the Pride Lands, Rafiki says the Lion Guard should go to the Tree of Life, which is where he first met Makini and it's the only place that he'll get better. He then says that Makini can go with them. Soon all the Pride Landers say goodbye to the Lion Guard.

### The Harmattan

Rafiki is mentioned by Ono when he says that, according to his map in the Lair, the Back Lands waterfall is the first landmark after Pride Rock.

### Journey of Memories

 File:Journey-of-Memories (1099).png  Rafiki is mentioned on several occasions, he is seen in a flashback with Queen Janna at the Tree of Life meeting Makini as a baby along with her parents Fikiri and Kitendo.

### The Race to Tuliza

Rafiki is mentioned by Makini when she mentions him telling her salt water can help the body. Instead of drinking it, one can soak in it.

### Friends to the End

Rafiki is mentioned by Bunga who told Kion that if the venom stays inside him too long he won't know the difference between right and wrong.

### The Tree of Life

Rafiki is mentioned by Ono that according to his map on the Lair, there's a narrow mountain pass up ahead and on the other side is the Tree of Life.

### The River of Patience

Rafiki is mentioned by Janna. She tells Makini that when she was a baby, she came with her parents to meet him. He is also mentioned by Nirmala telling Kion that Rafiki sent him to get healed.

### *The Lion King II: Simba's Pride*

In *The Lion King II: Simba's Pride*, Rafiki is more closely involved with the affairs and politics of the prides and is often seen with the lions. When the balance of the Circle of life is thrown off on account of the rivalry between Simba's pride, and Zira (a rogue lioness who along with her children and several other lionesses, was banished from The Pride Lands for being loyal to Scar), Mufasa's spirit persuades Rafiki to bring Simba's daughter Kiara and Zira's son Kovu together as a way of uniting the prides. He then asks if Mufasa is crazy and doubts that the plan will work, and is then immediately buffeted by a strong gust of wind from Mufasa's spirit, immediately convincing the mandrill to carry out the deceased king's idea.

From that point, Rafiki assists Kovu (who apparently hopes of joining Simba's pride) in earning Simba's trust, and eventually tries to have the male lion and Kiara fall in love by singing to them about a place called "Upendi", which means "love" in Swahili. However, it is soon revealed that Kovu was working for Zira to kill Simba, and although he tried to abolish the plot on account of his love for Kiara, Simba exiles Kovu, blaming him for the attack. Rafiki sighs sadly on seeing Kovu leave, knowing he is not part of the attack and Simba is defying his father's goals, which completely failed and leaves the Circle of Life broken.

In the end, however, after Kovu proves his worth and works with Kiara to fix the broken circle, Rafiki blesses the union of Kovu and Kiara, and celebrates the newfound unity between the pride

### Journey to the Pride Lands

Rafiki is mentioned by Ono when he still remembers all the landmarks from his map, recalling the first on their way back to be the frozen lake.

### Return to the Pride Lands

As the Lion Guard comes back from the Tree of Life, Rafiki notices that Makini isn't with them. He announces that Janna was right all along about Makini's true destiny at the Tree of Life. Before long, the subject of Zira has risen again, and Rafiki guides them to the lower section of Pride Rock where cave paintings detail the s

 File:Return-to-the-Pride-Lands (306).png  tory. Rafiki, Kovu, and Kiara explain how Kovu was raised to believe that Simba was the enemy. However, after getting to know them both, he and Kiara stood between the two teams when they engaged in a showdown, telling them that, as lions, (we) are one. Zira's lionesses, including Vitani, saw that this was true, and joined forces. Zira was unable to get past her hate, and thus it led to her destruction. The contest is witnessed by the entire Pride Lands. The contest is a best of five challenges between both Lion Guards, where the members that represent their roles on the team (fiercest, bravest, fastest, strongest, and Keenest of Sight) face off against each other to see which is better at their role. Since Ono's role is t

 File:Return-to-the-Pride-Lands (493).png  he Smartest and that role isn't in Vitani's Lion Guard, Ono acts as the referee for the contest. The losing side of the previous challenge gets to set the conditions for the next challenge with Vitani's Lion Guard choosing first. With the contest tied at 2-2, Kion and Vitani have to face each other with Vitani calling for a mashindano. Kion tells Vitani that she's no match for him when he has the roar and she tells him that she's fierce enough to lead the Lion Guard without the Roar. Vitani's guard becomes the new leader of the Lion Guard. Suddenly, Askari appears in the sky in front of everyone (even the Guard, who is stunned by Askari's appearance) and tells Kion that he has truly mastered the roar by letting it go. Kion is confused about why he would still need the roar if he's not the leader of the Lion Guard anymore? Askari tells Kion there's another place that could use the roar's help and Kion realizes he's talking about the Tree of L

 File:Return-to-the-Pride-Lands (863).png  ife. The Mark of the Night Pride that was given to Kion by Queen Janna before her death appears on Kion's shoulder. Kion asks his friends if they want to help Queen Rani protect the Tree of life? All of the old Lion Guard members accept the offer and the Mark of the Night Pride replaces the Mark of the Guard on their bodies. Vitani wonders what Kion meant by mastering the roar and Kion shows her by using the roar to lift the entirety of Pride Rock off the ground. Rafiki soon goes to King Kion and Queen Rani's wedding and he watches as Kion becomes king of the Tree of Life.

## Family

* **Nefu** (nephew)
* **Biba** (cousin)

## Friends

* **Mufasa**
* **Zazu**
* **Simba**
* **Nala**
* **Timon**
* **Pumbaa**
* **Pridelanders**
* **Sarabi**
* **Sarafina**
* **Kiara**
* **Kovu**
* **Vitani**
* **Outsiders**
* **Timon's Ma**
* **Uncle Max**
* **Nobi**
* **Kion**
* **Bunga**
* **Fuli**
* **Beshte**
* **Ono**
* **Makini**
* **Kongwe**
* **Tamaa**
* **Tiifu**
* **Zuri**
* **Mtoto**
* **Anga**
* **Jasiri**
* **Janja**
* **Cheezi**
* **Chungu**
* **Tano**
* **Nne**
* **Azaad**
* **Janna**
* **Kitendo**
* **Fikiri**
* **Baliyo**
* **Nirmala**
* **Surak**
* **Rani**
* **Askari**

## Enemies

* **Scar**
* **Shenzi**
* **Banzai**
* **Ed**
* **The Hyena Clan**
* **Zira**
* **Jumbo Jumbo**
* **Janja** (formerly)
* **Cheezi** (formerly)
* **Chungu** (formerly)
* **Nne** (formerly)
* **Tano** (formerly)
* **Janja's Clan**
* **Reirei**
* **Goigoi**
* **Reirei's Pack**
* **Kiburi**
* **Tamka**
* **Nduli**
* **Ushari**

## Songs

* **Beware of the Zimwi**
* **Good King Simba**
* **Upendi**

## Trivia

* No one in any of the films, other than himself, refers to Rafiki by his name. They either call him the "monkey" or the "baboon." His name is only used in *Timon and Pumbaa* and *The Lion Guard*.
* Rafiki's species, the mandrill, is one of the few species that aren't native to Sub-Saharan Africa. While other baboons do, the mandrill is native to the central African rainforest.
	+ Rafiki is drawn with a pronounced tail, a contrast to the more diminished tails of real mandrills.
* In the earliest drafts of *The Lion King*, Rafiki was not a baboon, but a cheetah instead. Instead, Scar was a baboon.
* In the *The Lion King 1½*, he knows Timon and Pumbaa, ignoring the fact they didnt know who he was when first seeing him in the jungle with Nala.
* The song Rafiki sings to himself, "Asante sana, squash banana, we we nugu, mi mi apana," is Swahili for "Thank you very much, squash banana, you are a baboon and I am not."
* According to Robert Guillaume, Rafiki's voice was partially created via a failed attempt at a Jamaican accent.[1]
* In *D3: The Mighty Ducks*, the giant stuffed baboon that a child wins at a carnival bears a striking resemblance to Rafiki.