Aaron Pierre, who plays the titular character in Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King, went viral for his entrance video on the Jennifer Hudson Show. Many fans were enamored by his swag while dancing. The fan frenzy became extreme, so the show turned off the comment section of his video across all their social media platforms. The unintentional social media impact was helpful for the movie’s publicity. It made some fans even more eager to see this live-action sequel.
Mufasa: The Lion King does not disappoint in exploring the themes of matriarchy and intuition as the foundational tools for Mufasa’s journey. The heart of the story revolves around the brotherhood between Mufasa and Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.). Mufasa has a matriarchal background, while Taka has a patriarchal upbringing. The film effectively showcases the power of belief, maternal guidance, and intuitive knowledge through the distinct traits of these two characters.
The story of Mufasa begins in his childhood. He grows up in a pride raised by his mother, Afia (Anika Noni Rose), and father, Masego (Keith David). The family envisions a mystical haven called Milele, meaning forever in Swahili. When Mufasa asks how his mother knows what Milele looks like, she encourages him to go within and tap into his intuition. This introduces the first musical breakout in Mufasa: The Lion King. The visuals showcase how the bare and dry land Mufasa stands on transforms into a vibrant green landscape filled with various lifeforms. Unfortunately, this joy is short-lived when a flood sweeps Mufasa away. As a result, he faces displacement from his family and home.
The seed of belief that Afia plants in Mufasa as a child proves to be instrumental. Mufasa carries that vision into his new life when Taka’s family reluctantly adopts him. Afia’s maternal guidance is long-lasting because Mufasa shares this vision with his new pride. Rafiki (John Kani) later confirms this belief through his prophecy.
Despite Taka’s immediate affection for Mufasa, his father, Obasi (Lennie James), refuses to accept strays into the pride. Taka allows Mufasa to win during a race, securing his spot in the pride. However, Obasi makes it conditional on the fact that the females raise Mufasa. As the leader of the pride, Obasi is keen to secure Taka’s succession. As a result, he takes on the responsibility of raising him, while his wife, Eshe (Thandiwe Newton), is responsible for Mufasa.
During their upbringing, the audience learns a lot through Taka’s perspective. For example, the male lions act as the leaders of the pride, but actually spend a lot of time sleeping around. Mufasa: The Lion King showcases the illusions of patriarchy through the leadership of Obasi. He encourages Taka to lie by taking credit for saving his mother. Meanwhile, Eshe teaches Mufasa to hunt skillfully by intuitively listening to the sound vibrations of the prey and predators in his distant surroundings. Eshe also affirms Mufasa’s vision of Milele. She believes it is a real location and he is still capable of reuniting with his family.
As Taka and Mufasa form a strong bond from childhood into adulthood, the contrast between them is evident. It is clear when they flee forcefully from their pride due to an attack from a vigilante pride of lions. While fleeing, Mufasa decides to head toward Milele despite not knowing the way. This is rooted in the maternal guidance from both Eshe and Afia, which highlights the power of matriarchy.
Mufasa: The Lion King introduces Rafiki as a character who is also a stray. His community believes Rafiki’s visions are demonic, which results in his banishment. Even though he is considered a prophet, not everyone respects his gift. His community quickly dismisses what they cannot understand. Upon meeting Taka and Mufasa, Rafiki shares his prophecy about meeting his brother in Milele.
Along the way, Sarabi, a stray lioness, joins the group. Initially, Taka wants to eat Rafiki and disregards his prophecies, while Sarabi is also wary about trusting his visions. Mufasa is the only one who chooses to follow Rafiki. His belief in spiritual knowledge is confirmed, based on the matriarchs who shaped him.
Mufasa also taps into his intuitive knowledge through his hunting skills. These skills allow him to alert the rest of the group about the distance of their predators and plan accordingly. Through his keen senses, he smells a specific flower scent on Sarabi. However, he allows his brother to take credit for it when Taka is courting Sarabi. Eventually, the gang reaches Milele, but the safety of this paradise is in jeopardy due to the invasion of the vigilante lion pride.
Initially, the rest of the animals in Milele are not interested in helping Mufasa. He reminds them that they are not exempt from future attacks and empowers them to work together. Mufasa: The Lion King displays the importance of collectivism and honoring what everyone has to offer, a societally matriarchal trait, through the titular character. After the animals defeat the threat to their home, they unanimously make Mufasa their leader. Despite not feeling worthy, Rafiki reminds Mufasa that he deserves the role due to his heart.
Even though Mufasa faces displacement twice from his home of origin and adopted family, Mufasa: The Lion King also highlights the idea that home is where the heart lies. Mufasa reunites with his mother, Afia, in Milele. It is an expression of a full-circle moment. He finds his way back home through the seeds his mother plants. In contrast, the skills Taka learns from his father prove ineffective in leadership. Instead, the knowledge Mufasa gains from the matriarchs in his life makes him a great king. This prequel proves that Mufasa’s core character, who is just, empathetic, and wise, stems from the matriarchs in his life who emphasized intuitive guidance.
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