Ukumbusho

Information

Gallery

Ukumbusho
Location	Mizimu Grove, Pride Lands
Participants	Lion Guard Ma Tembo's Herd Simba's Pride Makini Timon Pumbaa
Outcome	A performance celebrating the friendship between the elephants and the lions in the Pride Lands
Meaning	Remembrance Memorial

“	When I was little, we had the Ukumbusho every year. So many wonderful memories. And now that we have a new Lion Guard to play the original Lion Guard, the tradition can continue.	”
–Ma Tembo to the Lion Guard, The Ukumbusho Tradition

Ukumbusho is a performance that celebrates the friendship between the elephants and the lions of the Pride Lands. It is held at Mizimu Grove.

Information

The Ukumbusho is a performance that celebrates the friendship between the elephants and the lions of the Pride Lands, as set by Askari, the first Lion Guard and the elephants many Dry Seasons ago. It naturally celebrates peace with the lions with the Lion Guard. The elephants get the sunbursts painted on their foreheads using "Peace Paint" to represent the Circle of Life. They're a big part of the tradition. The centerpiece of the entire Ukumbusho performance is the speech between the bravest lion and elephant. During the performance, the lions are offered a branch as a symbol of peace. The performance is held at moon rise.

History

The Ukumbusho Tradition

Getting ready

Ma Tembo instructs her herd to get ready for the Ukumbusho. After Makini arrives, she directs her to some peace paint, while the Lion Guard get ready, with Timon and Pumbaa's help. When Ma Tembo remembers that the Lion Guard is traditionally made up of lions, Makini offers to paint the Guard, but in doing so, she lacks enough paint to finish painting Zito and several other elephants. She is given some time to come up with new paints and she does so, picking some yellow flowers.

The new Ukumbusho

When King Simba arrives, the show begins, with the Lion Guard singing "May There Be Peace". But just after Kion greets Ma Tembo as Askari, a swarm of bees frightens the elephants away. After dealing with the bees, the elephants return, where Ma Tembo apologizes to King Simba for the outburst. Although Makini offers to repaint them, Kion suggests trying the show without the paint. When Ma Tembo is hesitant to break with tradition, Simba suggests seeing it as starting a new tradition. Ma Tembo agrees, and the new Ukumbusho begins.

Trivia

• 'Ukumbusho' is Swahili for 'remembrance' or 'memorial'.
• Ironically, the Lion Guard's attire is a reference to Kid Simba's coat and a mane made out of red leaves during the song: "I just can't wait to be King"