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Swahili and "The Lion King" Trivia Quiz

Swahili is one of the languages spoken in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania among other African nations. "The Lion King" is a Disney movie that used a lot of Swahili words. How many of these words do you know? May contain spoilers to the movie.

A multiple-choice quiz by Team Hakuna Matata. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Ilona_Ritter

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
403,852

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
166

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Rafiki is the baboon in "The Lion King". Do you know what the name Rafiki means? Hint

Loyal

Helpful

Friend

Trustworthy

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Pumbaa is a warthog character from "The Lion King". What does "pumbaa" mean in Swahili, which is appropriate for his character? Hint

Clever

Cowardly

Green

Foolish

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Nala is Simba's best friend growing up. They are betrothed to each other, which grosses them out, although later they do get married. What does the name Nala mean in Swahili? Hint

Gift

Love

Happy

Peace

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Why does the meerkat Timon, not have a Swahili name? Hint

Timon was named Pumbaa, who wanted to display his knowledge of Shakespeare

Meerkats are regarded as fada (evil) by the local people

Meerkats are not found where Swahili is spoken

Timon is Swahili for teacher

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. "Tembo" is Swahili for elephant. It is also the Swahili name for another product, which is what? Hint

Hospital

Bus

Beer

Train

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. The lion Scar has a son whose name means "scar" in Swahili. What was his name? Hint

Jeraha

Kata

Kovu

Maumivu

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. What do the Swahili words "Hakuna Matata" mean in English? Hint

No Problem

No Trouble

No Cares

No Concerns

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Zebras feature in "The Lion King", and are called "Punda Milia" in Kiswahili. If "milia" is striped what is the translation of the word "punda"? Hint

Donkey or ass

Animal

Horse

Gnu or wildebeest

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. In "The Lion King", one of the hyenas is called Banzai. This may sound like a Japanese warrior cry, but what does "banzai" mean in Swahili? Hint

Vicious

Skulk

Thief

Devil

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. What does the Swahili name "Simba Mfalme" translate to in English? Hint

My Friend

Lion King

To Honor

Jungle King

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Rafiki is the baboon in "The Lion King". Do you know what the name Rafiki means?

Answer: Friend

Rafiki is Mufasa's friend and then later he becomes Simba's friend as well. Helpful in Swahili is kusaidia, loyal is waaminifu and trustworthy is kuaminika.

(Contributed by Ilona_ritter)

2. Pumbaa is a warthog character from "The Lion King". What does "pumbaa" mean in Swahili, which is appropriate for his character?

Answer: Foolish

The warthog Pumbaa is kind-hearted and friendly but not very intelligent. His best friend is a meerkat named Timon.

(Contributed by GLitsmyt)

3. Nala is Simba's best friend growing up. They are betrothed to each other, which grosses them out, although later they do get married. What does the name Nala mean in Swahili?

Answer: Gift

In the movie, Nala is the one who finds Simba after he runs away. Her name is appropriate because she (with the help of Rafiki) convinces Simba to return to Pride Rock to claim his place as the rightful king.

Happy in Swahili is furaha; love is upendo and peace is amani.

(Contributed by Ilona_ritter)

4. Why does the meerkat Timon, not have a Swahili name?

Answer: Meerkats are not found where Swahili is spoken

Meerkats can be found mainly in the Kalahari desert in Botswana and Northern South Africa. East Africa, the setting for "The Lion King", does have populations of the related species of mongoose.

(Contributed by Donald67)

5. "Tembo" is Swahili for elephant. It is also the Swahili name for another product, which is what?

Answer: Beer

Tembo is Swahili for beer. The popular beer in Kenya is Tusker and so the connection is made. The others, for interest, are basi (bus), treni (train) (it used to be a gari ya moshi or smoking carriage), and hospitali (hospital). In Swahili, if the word was not used historically, then the English word is used, but ending in a vowel as do all Swahili words.

(Contributed by Donald67)

6. The lion Scar has a son whose name means "scar" in Swahili. What was his name?

Answer: Kovu

Kovu can be found in "The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride". He and Kiara (Simba's daughter) hit it off much to the chagrin of Simba and Scar. Kata means cut; maumivu means pain and jeraha means injury.

(Contributed by Ilona_ritter)

7. What do the Swahili words "Hakuna Matata" mean in English?

Answer: No Trouble

Hakuna Matata roughly translates to "there are no troubles" in Swahili. It became popular in English from the 1994 Disney movie "The Lion King", where it's translated as "no worries." It is saying do not worry about things out of your control.

(Contributed by GLitsmyt)

8. Zebras feature in "The Lion King", and are called "Punda Milia" in Kiswahili. If "milia" is striped what is the translation of the word "punda"?

Answer: Donkey or ass

Zebras are a common animal on safari in East Africa. They join with the wildebeest in the annual migration from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara and have to face the Nile crocodiles crossing the Gremeti and Mara rivers.

(Contributed by Donald67)

9. In "The Lion King", one of the hyenas is called Banzai. This may sound like a Japanese warrior cry, but what does "banzai" mean in Swahili?

Answer: Skulk

Banzai means "skulk" in Swahili. Just for interest vicious is "kali", thief is "mwizi" and devil is "shitani".

(Contributed by Donald 67)

10. What does the Swahili name "Simba Mfalme" translate to in English?

Answer: Lion King

Mfalme is a name that commands respect, it evokes a sense of power and also love. Translated into English the word means "King". Which makes perfect sense to me. Simba is the word for Lion. Most of the character's names in The Lion King comes from the Swahili language, the predominant language spoken in East Africa - specifically Kenya and Tanzania.

(Contributed by GLitsmyt)

Source: Author Ilona_Ritter

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
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