Hakuna matata

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For other uses, see Hakuna Matata (disambiguation).

"Hakuna matata" (pronounced [hɑˈkunɑ mɑˈtɑtɑ]) is a Swahili language phrase from East Africa, meaning "no trouble" or "no worries" and "take it easy". (literally hakuna: "there is no/there are no"; matata: "worries".) The 1994 Walt Disney Animation Studios animated film The Lion King brought the phrase to Western prominence in one of its most popular songs, in which it is translated as "no worries". The song is often heard at Disney's resorts, hotels, and amusement parks.

Boney M. song[]

In 1983, German group Boney M. released "Jambo—Hakuna Matata", an English-language version of Them Mushrooms' song Jambo Bwana. Liz Mitchell provided the song's lead vocals, backed by Reggie Tsiboe, Frank Farian, Cathy Bartney, Madeleine Davis and Judy Cheeks. The single was intended to be included in the group's successfully untitled seventh album, to be released in the fall of 1983. Due to a poor chart performance (No. 48 in the German charts), the single ultimately was not included in the album (which was completely reworked and not released until May 1984 as Ten Thousand Lightyears).

The Lion King song[]

Main article: Hakuna Matata (song)

In 1994, the Walt Disney Animation Studios animated film The Lion King brought the phrase international recognition, featuring it prominently in the plot and devoting a song to it. A meerkat and a warthog, Timon and Pumbaa, teach Simba that he should forget his troubled past and live in the present. The song was written by Elton John (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics), who found the term in a Swahili phrasebook.[1] It was nominated for Best Original Song at the 1995 Academy Awards, and was later ranked the 99th best song in movie history by the American Film Institute on a list of 100.[2]

Controversy[]

In 2003, Disney was granted a trademark protecting the phrase from being used on clothing and footwear.[3] Prior to the release of the 2019 Lion King remake, the trademark caused controversy in East Africa. More than 280,000 people have signed a petition on Change.org asking Disney to drop the trademark.[4]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Interview with Tim Rice, BBC News, 13 September 2011, BBC One
  2. ^ "AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs". Archived from the original on 2006-08-14. Retrieved 2006-08-15.
  3. ^ "HAKUNA MATATA Trademark of Walt Disney Company, The - Registration Number 2700605 - Serial Number 74558335 :: Justia Trademarks". trademarks.justia.com. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  4. ^ Ratcliffe, Rebecca (19 December 2018). "Disney accused of colonialism over 'hakuna matata' trademark". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
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