Makini

―Makini meets Kion[src] | ”

**Makini** is a female mandrill. She served as Rafiki's apprentice before becoming the Royal Mjuzi of the Tree of Life. She is the daughter of Kitendo and Fikiri, the granddaughter of Busara, and the sister of Nefu.

As an adolescent, Makini began training under Rafiki to be the next Royal Mjuzi of the Pride Lands. However, early into her training, she became an unwitting pawn of Ushari the cobra; not only did his spies learn how to summon evil Lions of the Past by spying on her and Rafiki, but his minions stole her bakora staff and used it in a ritual that summoned the spirit of Scar.

Later, after Scar's defeat, Kion sought healing at the Tree of Life for his scar. Makini accompanied him and the Lion Guard, and used her familiarity with the landscape to keep them pointed in the right direction. Once at the Tree of Life, Makini became the new Royal Mjuzi under Queen Rani.

## Biography

### Early life

―Rafiki[src] | ”

Makini was born to Kitendo and Fikiri. At the time of her birth, Makini was chosen by the Great Kings of the Past to be Rafiki's apprentice.

As an infant, Makini journeyed with her parents to the Tree of Life to see if Rafiki would take her on as the next Royal Mjuzi of the Pride Lands. While on the journey to the Tree of Life, the family stopped at a river, where Kitendo teased Makini by getting into the cold river water. Fikiri tried to explain the importance of testing the water first, but Kitendo contested that his way was more fun.

Later, Kitendo explained to Makini that she may become a Royal Mjuzi someday because she had her mother's wisdom, while Fikiri assured Makini that she had her father's curiosity and sense of fun. Both parents then told her that they would be with her until she was ready to be on her own.

While crossing the desert, Kitendo and Fikiri taught Makini to learn from her past in order to have a better future. They then presented her to Rafiki at the Tree of Life, and he accepted her as his apprentice.

### Start of Royal Mjuzi training

―Makini[src] | ”

Kion was concerned at how quickly the start of the dry season had caused things to get out of hand, so he consulted with the spirit of his grandfather, Mufasa. Unbeknownst to Kion, his conversation with Mufasa was being overheard by Makini. After Kion's conversation was over, she introduced herself and told him that she was Rafiki's new apprentice. Makini gushed over what she had heard, but Kion told her not to talk about it too much. Unbeknownst to the pair, Ushari had overheard everything.

Later, Makini began her training with Rafiki, but her excitement and impatience kept her from making any progress. Rafiki told her that the hardest part of listening was finding the quiet to hear. He then sent her out to find her bakora staff, the special staff carried by all Royal Mjuzis.

As Makini searched for her staff, she encountered Ushari, who casually asked her if there was a way to speak to the evil Lions of the Past. Makini was unsure, so Ushari convinced her to get Rafiki to reveal if there was a way to talk to Scar. After Makini found a staff that spoke to her, she returned to Rafiki. Meanwhile, Ushari summoned his skink friends to spy on Makini and reveal to him what Rafiki told her about Scar.

At the Lair of the Lion Guard, Makini asked Rafiki if there was a way to talk to Scar, and Rafiki explained that it depended on if the Great Lion was good or bad. He revealed that the Great Lions of the Past were in the sky, that their voices were in the wind, and that they were the lions who appeared when Kion used the Roar of the Elders. However, the Evil Lions of the Past, like Scar, appeared in fire if they were unleashed by the Roar and the bakora staff. The skinks went off to tell Ushari what they had learned.

In the meantime, Rafiki introduced the royal family to Makini, who went with Kiara to help Ma Tembo the elephant find a new water source. In the Outlands, Ushari and Janja decided to use what they had learned to summon Scar. They resolved to get Makini's bakora staff, since she was too inexperienced to be a threat, and to attack one of Kion's loved ones and bring them to the volcano, since Kion's Roars were at their most powerful when he was angry.

The hyenas kidnapped Kiara and took Makini's bakora staff. While the rest of the Lion Guard rescued her, Janja tricked Kion by getting him to use the Roar out of anger, which caused the volcano to erupt. When Janja threw Makini's staff into the volcano, Scar was successfully summoned.

Back in the Pride Lands, Ma Tembo was having difficulty hearing water because of all the chanting animals around her. Realizing that Ma Tembo needed silence in order to hear, Makini quieted the crowd, and Ma Tembo was at last able to hear and locate a water source. Pleased with herself, Makini celebrated her official status as Rafiki's apprentice.

### Painting with the Great Kings of the Past

―Makini, after playing with Chama, Furaha, and Mzaha[src] | ”

Rafiki taught Makini to make paintings according to the whispers of the Great Kings of the Past. In the midst of their lesson, the mandrills were interrupted by a trio of young animals: Chama, Furaha, and Mzaha, who declared that they wanted to live with Rafiki at his tree. Though Rafiki was hesitant to accept them, he eventually gave in to Makini's pleas and allowed them to stay.

Later, Makini was having a bug-eating contest with Chama, Furaha, and Mzaha when they were approached by the Lion Guard and an annoyed Rafiki. Kion questioned the three young animals as to why they were not with their herds. The three admitted that they were outcasts. Rafiki insisted that they must return to their families, for it was part of their duty to the Circle of Life. Seeing the importance of Rafiki's words, the three young animals agreed to return to their herds.

Chama, Furaha, and Mzaha were unable to fit in with their herds and so decided to return to Rafiki's tree. There, they disrupted yet another of Rafiki's lessons. The mandrill ordered them to return to their herds and leave Makini to her training. Reluctantly, the three agreed and left the pair to their work.

Shortly afterward, sparks from a nearby fire began to drift across the savanna, igniting the grass beneath Rafiki's tree. Makini and Rafiki noticed the danger too late and found themselves trapped on a branch high above the fire. Ono happened to notice the danger and warned Kion about the situation. Before the Lion Guard could reach Rafiki's tree, Chama, Furaha, and Mzaha arrived and led the mandrills to safety. They then began to put out the fire themselves.

The Lion Guard took off to save Makini and Rafiki, only to find that Chama, Furaha, and Mzaha were battling the fire themselves. The Lion Guard joined in, and together, the two groups put out the fire. Rafiki thanked them profusely for their help and, as a token of thanks, offered Chama, Furaha, and Mzaha a home at his tree. The three were honored by Rafiki's offer but admitted that they had found a new home near Big Springs for their family.

That night, Makini painted for the royal family, much to the awe of her audience.

### Ukumbusho

―Makini[src] | ”

In Mizimu Grove, Ma Tembo directed her herd in preparing for the Ukumbusho Tradition. In the midst of the preparation, Makini arrived to help paint the elephants for the ceremony.

Under Ma Tembo's direction, the Lion Guard began practicing their lines, while Makini mashed up various fruits to make paints for the celebration. Just then, Timon and Pumbaa arrived to help the Lion Guard with their lines. However, before they could start, Ma Tembo pointed out that the Lion Guard was traditionally composed of lions only, which prompted Makini to suggest that she paint each Lion Guard member to resemble a lion. Though Fuli was reluctant to accept the idea, Makini dressed up the Lion Guard to resemble lions, then departed to paint the elephants.

Makini was painting sunbursts on the elephants' foreheads when she suddenly ran out of yellow paint. In a panic, she related to Ma Tembo how she had used all her paint on the Lion Guard, and Ma Tembo suggested that she collect more yellow fruit from the nearby forest. Makini did as she was told, clearing a hive of bees from a clump of yellow flowers in order to bring the plants before the elephants. She then continued to paint the herd.

Later, Makini watched Ukumbusho. In the midst of the ceremony, a horde of bees attacked the elephants, chasing them from the grove. The Lion Guard took off to halt the stampede. While on the run, they realized that the bees were attracted to Makini's flower paint.

Later, back at Mizimu Grove, Ma Tembo apologized to Simba for panicking and explained that bee stings in the trunk could be very painful. Makini rushed over and apologized for having caused the chaos, to which Ma Tembo assured her that she had not known. When Makini volunteered to collect more yellow fruit for the paint, Kion suggested continuing the ceremony without any paint. Ma Tembo agreed to the plan, and the Ukumbusho Tradition continued in a new way.

### Kenge's attack

―Makini, as she ponders how to heal the Lion Guard[src] | ”

When Kenge bit and paralyzed three members of the Lion Guard, Ono went to fetch Rafiki for help. However, when Ono arrived at Rafiki's tree, only Makini was at home. She offered to accompany Ono instead and use her minimal healing skills to assist the Lion Guard.

Once at the scene of the fight, Makini forgot what the antidote, ponya flowers, looked like. Ono recalled what the flowers looked like and managed to locate a patch of them. At the same moment, he saw the hyenas returning to the melon patch with Kenge. Hearing this news, Kion ordered Bunga and Ono to deal with the thieves while Makini collected the flowers.

Later, Makini attempted to use the ponya flowers to heal the Lion Guard. At the same time, Bunga arrived and declared that he must face Kenge alone, but the Lion Guard insisted that Makini accompany him to the fight. Though reluctant, Makini eventually agreed, and Kion declared that he had a plan to defeat Kenge and the hyenas.

Bunga and Makini followed Kenge and the hyenas to Embamba Canyon, where Bunga distracted the thieves. Meanwhile, Makini stole their melons and hid them behind rocks. In his attempts to catch Bunga, Kenge accidentally bit Cheezi and Chungu, paralyzing them. He nearly bit Janja, but a melon was thrown his way. He then turned his attention to Makini. She threw her bakora staff at him to keep him back, but he simply snapped it in half with his teeth.

Just then, a fully healed Lion Guard approached. The hyenas attempted to run but were hindered by their paralyzed legs. Taking advantage of this, Kion used the Roar of the Elders to blast Kenge and the hyenas back to the Outlands, where the melons were out of their reach. Together, the Lion Guard and Makini rolled the stolen melons back to the patch.

(To be continued)

## Physical appearance

Makini is a small and slender mandrill, with gray fur and a pale underbelly. Her hands and feet are dark brown. The same brown fur collars her neck. Atop her head is a slightly lighter yet still dark brown patch of fur. Her hands, feet, and muzzle are pink. Her face is gray, with blue stripes just underneath her eyes. From her nose to her forehead is a large magenta stripe, which ends just between her eyebrows. Her eyes are olive-green. Her teeth, while petite, are sharp.

## Personality and traits

―Makini[src] | ”

Makini is a free spirit. She is exceptionally cheerful and excitable, to the point that she does not always realize when she is talking over someone. She is eager to learn and takes pride in her position as a Royal Mjuzi. However, she has trouble staying calm and is easy to deceive. Sometimes, Makini's curiosity leads her into trouble, and she struggles to listen attentively, such as when she ignored Ono's warnings about the marsh lights and fell into a pit as a result. After becoming Rani's Royal Mjuzi, Makini became more mature and responsible. She frequently encourages Rani about her role as queen and does what she can to lessen the lioness' burdens.

## Relationships

* Kitendo - Father
* Fikiri - Mother
* Nefu - Brother

Allies* Royal Mjuzis
	+ Rafiki † - Former Mentor
* Great Lions of the Past
	+ Janna † - Former Queen and Former Mentor
* Night Pride - Close Friends
	+ Kion - King and Savior
	+ Rani - Queen
	+ Fuli - Savior
	+ Bunga
	+ Beshte
	+ Ono - Former Partner
	+ Anga - Savior
	+ Surak
	+ Baliyo
	+ Nirmala
* Simba's pride
	+ Simba
	+ Nala
	+ Kiara - Friend
	+ Tiifu - Close Friend
	+ Zuri - Close Friend and Savior
	+ Mufasa †
	+ Kovu
	+ Sarabi
	+ Vitani
	+ Kopa
* Jasiri's clan
	+ Jasiri
	+ Janja - Former Enemy
	+ Cheezi - Former Enemy
	+ Chungu - Former Enemy
* Pride Landers
	+ Ma Tembo - Friend
	+ Timon
	+ Pumbaa
	+ Chama - Former Associate and Savior
	+ Mzaha - Former Associate and Savior
	+ Furaha - Former Associate and Savior
	+ Zazu
	+ Zito
	+ Laini
	+ Basi - Friend
	+ Hadithi
	+ Makuu
	+ Bupu
	+ Thurston
* Domog's pack
	+ Domog †
	+ Dughi
	+ Bogino
* Pinguino's rookery
	+ Pinguino
* Binga
* Azaad - Recruiter
* Reirei's pack - Former Enemies
	+ Reirei
	+ Goigoi
* Kiburi's float - Former Enemies
	+ Kiburi
	+ Tamka
* Mzingo's parliament - Former Enemies
	+ Mzingo
* Timon's colony
* Shujaa - Savior
* Varya
* Ma
* Chuluun - Former Enemy
* Dragon Pride - Former Enemies
	+ Maji - Former Captor
	+ Mosi - Former Captor
	+ Scar †
	+ Ushari †
	+ Kenge - Attempted Killer
	+ Sumu
	+ Nduli
	+ Mwoga
	+ Nne
	+ Tano
* Shupavu's group
	+ Shupavu
	+ Njano
	+ Nyeusi
	+ Nyata
	+ Waza
* Pãgala - Situational Enemy
* Krud'dha - Situational Enemy
* Makucha's army
	+ Makucha - Temporary Ally and Attempted Killer
	+ Mama Binturong
	+ Ora
	+ Fahari
	+ Jiona
* Smun's prickle
	+ Smun
* Outsiders
	+ Zira †
	+ Strange lion

## Appearances

* *The Lion King: Revisited*
	+ "The Tree of Life" (flashback)
* *Rafiki Remembers: Legends of Anansi*
	+ "The Bean Feast"
	+ "Why Stories Are Told About Anansi"
	+ "How Anansi Learnt to Weave"
	+ "Anansi Know-all"
	+ "How Anansi Shamed Himself"
	+ "The Bearded Stone"
	+ "The Cave Monster"
* *The Lion King: Revisited*
	+ "The Rise of Scar"
	+ "Snow Day"
	+ "Hyena Resistance"
	+ "The Ultimate Showdown"
	+ "Battle for the Pride Lands"
	+ "The Tree of Life"
	+ "Kiara's First Hunt"
	+ "The Unwelcome Stranger"
	+ "Love Will Find a Way"
	+ "Return to the Pride Lands" (mentioned)
	+ "Epilogue: An Important Coronation"
	+ "Makini Fables: The New Apprentice"
	+ "Lion Guard: Wild Schemes and Catastrophes"

## Trivia

* Makini was voiced by Landry Bender.

* Makini's name means "calmly, quietly" or "with dignity" or "calmness, quietness" or "dignity" or "intelligence" or "attention, concentration, attentiveness" in Swahili.

* It is likely that Makini was not born in the Pride Lands because Rafiki mentions that she is "new" to the kingdom in "Snow Day".

* Makini has lost a total of seven bakora staffs:
	+ Her first staff was stolen by Janja and thrown into the volcano as part of a ritual to summon Scar's spirit.
	+ Her second staff, which was decorated with various leaves and flowers, was destroyed in a fire.
	+ Her third staff, which was decorated with long grass strands, a single flower, and blue painted stripes, was apparently destroyed or lost. This was not seen onscreen.
	+ Her fourth staff, which was a lighter brown than the previous one and decorated with a single flower and small leaves, was bitten in half by Kenge.
	+ Her fifth staff, which was decorated with blue flowers, fell into a lava flow and caught fire.
	+ Her sixth staff, which was made of red wood and decorated with flowers, was broken in half when she tried to use it to move Kongwe.
	+ Her seventh staff was lost when a frozen lake she was crossing with the Lion Guard began to crack underfoot.

* Makini considers flamingos to be the prettiest animal.