Warning: SPOILERS for Mufasa: The Lion King The newest Disney sensation, Mufasa: The Lion King, delves into the origins of one of cinema’s most beloved tragic figures. This prequel to the 2019 photorealistic adaptation of The Lion King reveals how Mufasa ascended to the Pride Lands long before welcoming his son, Simba. However, this narrative raises intriguing questions about the foundational aspects of Mufasa’s realm.
As a young cub, Mufasa’s parents sing to him about a place where “the water flows, the grass is high,”indicating their aspirations of establishing a prominent place in the animal kingdom. This beautifully sung moment, featuring the impressive vocals of Anika Noni Rose, introduces an idea that could potentially disrupt the established lore of one of Disney’s most cherished franchises.
Mufasa: The Lion King Assigns a New Name to the Pride Lands: Milele
Milele: A Mythical Land Until Mufasa’s Arrival
“Call it Milele,” sings Afia, Mufasa’s mother, as she refers to the mythical kingdom they aspire to reach. In Swahili, “milele” translates to “forever” and bears a spiritual parallel to the biblical Heaven. However, once Mufasa embarks on his journey, it becomes evident that Milele is not just an ethereal concept, but a tangible location within a relatively accessible distance from his birthplace.
Following a devastating flood that tears Mufasa’s pride apart—mirroring his fate later in life—the young lion sets off towards Pride Rock. Along his journey, he encounters Scar, his adoptive brother, and Rafiki, a mandrill who believes fervently in the existence of Milele. In a twist, it is revealed that what Rafiki calls “Milele”eventually becomes the Pride Lands, where Mufasa reigns after confronting a pride of white lions known as the Outsiders.
The Absence of the Name Milele in Mufasa’s Story is Curious
The Name Milele Largely Overlooked in the Climax and In The Lion King
Curiously, the term “Milele”is scarcely referenced after Mufasa and his companions arrive at the land known as the Pride Lands. The film concludes by highlighting the establishment of Pride Rock as a significant symbol of Mufasa’s newly formed kingdom, erected upon the site of a tragic confrontation that marks the film’s climax.
As noted by Rachel Labonte in her review on ScreenRant, “If Mufasa: The Lion King’s story structure and characterizations occasionally falter, the gorgeous visuals and resonant soundtrack make up for it.”
The absence of the name “Milele”during Mufasa’s reunion with Afia at the film’s conclusion feels particularly striking. Afia’s early song about the kingdom they yearned to find could have provided a meaningful chance for closure between mother and son, asserting their arrival at Milele. Such a moment would also raise pertinent questions about why the term was neglected in the original The Lion King.
Exploring Why The Pride Lands Are Not Referenced as Milele in The Lion King
The Pride Lands: Mufasa’s True Kingdom
It is evident that the idea of Milele was a newly introduced concept crafted by Jeff Nathanson, the writer behind both The Lion King (2019) and Mufasa: The Lion King. This absence of the term in Disney’s renowned animated franchise until this film illustrates a potential oversight in continuity. Furthermore, the representation of Milele in the storyline suggests deeper thematic exploration that may explain its minimal emphasis in the concluding parts of the film.
Afia’s lyric, “If it lives in you, it lives in me,” evokes a sense of spiritual metaphor rather than a physical domain. Notably, Rafiki’s pursuit of Milele seems more akin to a spiritual quest rather than a simple journey to a geographic destination.
The characters’ odyssey in Mufasa: The Lion King culminates upon their arrival at what Rafiki dubs “Milele,”which ultimately becomes recognized as the Pride Lands. This prompts speculation that the Pride Lands serve as a tangible embodiment of the philosophical concept of Milele. The filmmakers intentionally leave the relationship between these two interpretations ambiguous, potentially paving the way for future storytelling that could address why Milele is absent from the original The Lion King.
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