More than 20 years have passed since the release of Disney's feature-length animated film The Lion King, but its soundtrack Hakuna Matata is still popular and gives positive emotions. Many people sang tunes from their favorite Disney animated films. However, have you ever wondered: “Hakuna Matata” - what does it mean?”
Meaning
This intricate expression came from the hottest continent on our planet - Africa. You're probably wondering what "Hakuna Matata" means in Kiswahili (Swahili), the official language of the sunny continent. Writing in Africa is based on the Latin alphabet, so in Swahili it is written: Hakuna Matata.
So, the particle “ha” expresses the categorical negation of “not”, “ku” is translated as “place”, “na” means “to be with something”, and “matata” means “problems”. Literally, “Ha-Ku-Na-Matata” is translated into Russian as “not a place to be with problems,” or simply “life without worries.”
"The Lion King"
"The Lion King" was the first animated creation of the American studio "Disney". It ranks 7th at the box office, having collected $968 million. The film received two Oscars and three Grammys. The success of the cartoon is not last role songs were played.
In The Lion King, Pumbaa and Timon perform the song "Hakuna Matata". What does it mean? This is not just your average run-of-the-mill song. This is a philosophy of living without worries and worries. It is this that is imposed on Simba by the famous meerkat and warthog.
Soundtrack Hakuna Matata
The lyrics to the song "Hakuna Matata" were written by Tim Miles Rice. Before that, he collaborated with Disney, which helped him win his first Oscar. Interestingly, he received this award for the soundtrack “The Whole new world"to the cartoon "Aladdin".
The famous British composer and rock singer Elton John. According to the Film Institute of America, the song "Hakuna Matata" is in the top 100 best songs centuries.
The soundtrack is included in the album Rhythm Of The Pride Lands. The performers of the song are J. Cliff and Lebo M.
"The Lion King" and "Kimba the White Lion"
"Hakuna Matata" - what does it mean for fans of Disney cartoons? Not everyone knows the translation of this phrase, but for everyone the song has become a motto famous adventures lion cub Simba. But as it turned out, the character has a distant relative.
"Janguru Taitei" ("White Lion Kimba") is considered the first colored Japanese animated film. The cartoon was based on the manga by Osama Tetsuka. It predates Disney's The Lion King by 28 years. Many people accuse the Disney studio of plagiarizing characters and scenes from the work of O. Tetsuka.
Lion cubs Kimba and Simba look alike like twins. The characters are almost identical, they differ only in color. Interestingly, they also originally wanted to make Simba white. In the cartoons there is a wise baboon who gives advice to the main character. But Kimba’s is not as bright and memorable as Rafiki’s.
Actor M. Broderick, who gave his voice to the lion Simba, initially believed that the Disney project was connected with “Kimba the White Lion” and was its remake. Disney denies plagiarism and insists that any similarities are coincidental.
Curious facts
- In Swahili, "Simba" means "lion", and the name of the warthog Pumbaa translates as "lazy".
- During the work on the animated project "The Lion King", its name changed 4 times: "King of the Kalahari", "King of the Beasts", "King of the Jungle" and, finally, "The Lion King".
- To the question “How are you?” residents of Central and East Africa invariably answer: “Hakuna Matata!” What does this mean in Swahili? This is usually translated like this: “No problem!”
- In the cult album "Kalimba De Luna" German group“Boney Em” features the track Hakuna Matata.
- Rafiki in animated film“The Lion King” sings an African nursery rhyme: Squash banana. Asante sana We we nugu, Mi mi apana. It is translated into Russian as follows: “Thank you very much, eat this banana. You are a real baboon and I am not.”
Now you know exactly what “Hakuna Matata” is. This phrase is popular. After all, everyone wants to live without worries and problems. Pumbaa and Timon's motto will surely give you a boost of positivity.
Children often sing songs from cartoons, even if they don’t know the meaning of the lyrics. One of these melodies is the soundtrack from the animated series "Timon and Pumbaa". What “Hakuna Matata” is and who sings it can be found out in this article. We remind you that the animated series has enjoyed success for many years, thanks to light plot and extraordinary main characters.
What is Hakuna Matata?
The phrase is believed to have come from Africa. Translated from the Swahili language, "Hakuna Matata" means "life without worries." In the original, the expression is written in Latin letters as "Hakuna Matata". The song was first performed in the cartoon "The Lion King", where Timon and Pumbaa first appeared. Two best friend They constantly repeat this phrase because they consider it their motto.
The song for the animated project was created by Elton John together with Tim Rice. In 1994, when the cartoon “The Lion King” was released, the composition was nominated for the title of “Best Song of the Year” according to the Oscars. The phrase "Hakuna Matata" was later used in songs musical groups"Aquarium" and Boney M.
Timon
Like no one else, Timon from the cartoon "The Lion King" knows what "Hakuna Matata" is. Every day, together with his friend Pumbaa, he repeats this song. The guys remember how hard it was for them to live before, but now they are carefree.
After the release of the animated film, the creators of the story decided to release a spin-off film about Timon and Pumbaa. "Hakuna Matata" has become even more popular.
We remind you that Timon is a meerkat, in Russian dubbing he is called a mongoose. He is very lazy and almost never helps anyone. At the same time, he is very cunning, smart and quick-witted. Timon can come up with anything, just not to stress and work. Despite all his shortcomings, the guy is very kind and sincere, always worried about his friends.
Pumbaa
Pumbaa also knows the translation of "Hakuna Matata" well, as he and Timon follow the idea of "life without worries." The hero is a representative Unlike Timon, Pumbaa is very sincere and trusting. He does not always recognize deception, but if he finds out about a lie, he is very offended. Pumbaa helps Timon almost every day, since on all long journeys the mongoose rides on his friend’s neck.
Despite all the gentleness of his character, the boar is very angry when angry. He is almost always ready to defend Timon, even if he himself is to blame for his problems. He also does not tolerate it when someone considers him an ordinary pig. Pumbaa claims that if you really call him that, then only with the prefix “Mr.”
Friends of the main characters
The cartoon "Hakuna Matata" is notable for the fact that there are mainly only two characters on the screen, the rest of the characters appear and act very rarely. Even though Timon and Pumbaa rarely interact with anyone else, they have several good friends.
One of them is the Shustrik snail. He, thanks to his comrades, also knows what "Hakuna Matata" is, although he does not always adhere to the principles of their life. The heroes meet him in the first season of the animated series. At first, Timon and Pumbaa intend to eat Shustrik, but then they find out that he can talk and do not dare to kill him. Soon the guys meet a common enemy, which only unites them more.
In the second season, the main characters learn that Shustrik is not just an ordinary snail, he is a super-duper hero X and constantly saves the world. Nevertheless, the guy is constantly kidnapped by seagulls, and then Timon and Pumbaa have to rush to his aid.
Another friend of the heroes is the meerkat Fred. To be more precise, he is Timon's old friend. He constantly tries to play pranks on the guys, which rarely ends in anything good.
Enemies of Timon and Pumbaa
Since Timon and Pumbaa constantly remind each other of what "Hakuna Matata" is and how they should live, the guys constantly get into trouble. They also managed to make many enemies.
One of the enemies of the main characters of the cartoon is a man named Quint. He constantly tries on different roles to get to Timon and Pumbaa, as well as to steal something. You can recognize a guy by his big red nose.
Another enemy of the guys is considered to be Toucan Dan. This is a very dangerous criminal, whose guilt is almost impossible to prove, since he knows how to get out of any situation. Also, Timon and Pumbaa's relationship with Rhino did not work out. The fact is that he is a judge who likes to make up his own laws.
The phrase “Hakuna Matata” or “Hakuna Matata” gained great popularity in the nineties thanks to such cartoons as “The Lion King”, as well as the animated series “Timon and Pumbaa”, which is an offshoot, the so-called spin-off of the Lion King. Production of these cartoons was carried out by a company from the USA - Walt Disney in the nineties. In Russia, this children's animated series was shown at that time on the STS TV channel. It is worth noting that thanks to the simple plot and rather charismatic characters, the cartoon was liked by children and even their parents.
The original one full-length cartoon"The Lion King" broke many sales records, is one of the brightest examples the most successful projects in the history of cinema. On the first day of release alone, over 4.5 million copies of the film were sold on VHS tapes. Remained a record holder for a long time at the box office worldwide. Thanks to the stunning score by Hans Zimmer and the song by Elton John, the film won:
- 2 Oscars;
- 3 Grammy Awards;
- 3 Golden Globe Awards.
This is a truly gorgeous, iconic film for family viewing, which left a huge mark on the history of cinema and brought Disney such great worldwide fame. The cartoon has several sequels and re-releases, including in 3D format, as well as a musical, books and video games.
Song of Timon and Pumbaa from The Lion King
Timon and Pumbaa, a meerkat and an African warthog (similar to a wild boar) are extremely colorful characters from both the cartoon and an entire animated series made specifically about them. Timon is an extremely lazy, but cunning and even selfish animal. At the same time, he is kind and caring at heart. Pumbaa is almost the exact opposite. He is a very trusting, completely guileless and touchy warthog. E that character is very offended, when confused with a common pig, and can be very menacing if angered.
In fact, the cartoon shows the life of two slightly stereotypical and completely opposite characters. However, despite all the differences, they still remain close friends. The animated series “Timon and Pumbaa” is primarily dedicated to friendship and joint overcoming of various difficulties that stand in the way of the heroes.
In the animated series and films, the positive, life-affirming song “Hakuna Matata” is often heard, which local characters like to sing. The following people were involved in the creation of this composition: famous musicians, like Elton John and Tim Rice. It was thanks to them that the cartoon managed to win one of the Oscar awards.
Hakuna Matata - meaning and translation
Translated from the Swahili language, common in countries such as Africa, Congo, Somalia and others, the phrase “Hakuno Matata” (Hakuna Matata) means "to live without worries." In the American language there is a very popular analogue of this phrase - this is “Don"t worry, be happy,” which literally means “Don’t worry, be happy.” But if you take a closer look at the meaning of the Swahili phrase “Akuno Matata,” you can It’s better to understand its meaning by dividing the expression into syllables:
- The first syllable ha is a negation.
- The second syllable - ku - means place.
- Na means to be with someone or something.
- The word matata means problems.
In the end, putting it all together, translation of the phrase "Hakuna Matata" will be something like “there is no place for problems here”, “no problems” or, if we allow ourselves a more free translation, then “live without worries.”
Pronunciation and application of the phrase in the countries of the African continent
Including due to the incredible worldwide popularity of the cartoon “The Lion King,” the iconic phrase can be heard in the countries of the African continent even from local employees of travel agencies. The fact is that in reality the phrase "Hakuna Matata" has a lot to do with it. higher value than it might seem at first glance. Since life for many people in countries such as Africa or the Republic of Congo is, to put it mildly, “not sugar,” local population used to use this phrase as an expression life position, a certain philosophy that says that you shouldn’t worry too much about all sorts of little things.
Indeed, many people living in the countries of the African continent have rather difficult living conditions, so focusing on problems is clearly not an option, and it is much easier to live, so to speak, without worries.
Keep in mind, visiting such countries as, for example, a tourist, you can probably hear the phrase “Hakuna Matata” when you are counting on something more serious or specific. For example, if after a flight it so happens that you cannot find the person you need from travel agency, then someone will certainly say something like “hakuna matata, most likely he’s already coming.” You may hear something like this in cases of certain misunderstanding or in situations where you expected something better or more appropriate. This phrase does not so much show the positive attitude of others, but rather that local residents They’re just not used to worrying unnecessarily.
Conclusion
Among other things, the phrase “Hakuna Matata” can be found in completely different forms of art, films and songs.
For example, the group Aquarium has a composition with the same name, as well as Boney M, reggae artist Bunny Weiler and probably many others. The phrase is also found in cinema, for example, in the 1995 cartoon Toy Story from Pixar, as well as in Mouse Hunt, the animated series "The Simpsons" Homer hums a song in one of the episodes, as well as in comedy series from the ABC television company “Clara, Come on!” (originally sounds like “Less Than Perfect”). At the beginning of the 2000s, the Russian TV channel RTR showed a youth talk show with the same name.
In addition to music and cinema, the phrase “Hakuna Matata” served as the name for one of the children’s theater studios in St. Petersburg, and there is also an art club in the city of Kharkov with the same name.
Video
As children, we all loved Disney cartoons and hummed familiar melodies, often not quite understanding what they were talking about? It's time to lift the veil of secrecy! Let's find out today what they are singing about Timon and Pumbaa in the cartoon "The Lion King"(The Lion king).
History of the song Hakuna Matata
Song “Hakuna matata” transcribed into Russian as “akuna matata” or “hakuna matata”, and translated from Swahili as “without worries”. It is this style of carefree life that Timon and Pumbaa promote. The music for this song was written by Elton John himself, and the lyrics by Tim Rice. This song from the cartoon took 99th position among the best songs in the history of cinema.
The song about hakuna matata (or hakuna matata) is not only heard in The Lion King. It was covered several times and even used in other films (for example, in the cartoon “Toy Story”). Well, the phrase hakuna matata itself has long become a symbol of life without problems.
Let's finally find out what Timon and Pumbaa really sing.
Hakuna Matata lyrics
Hakuna Matata
Hakuna Matata!
Hakuna Matata?
Yeah. It's our motto!
What's a motto?
Nothing. What's a-motto with you?
Those two words will solve all your problems
That's right. Take Pumbaa for example
Why, when he was a young warthog...
When I was a young wart hog
Very nice
Thanks
He found his aroma lacked a certain appeal
He could clear the savannah after every meal
I"m a sensitive soul though I seem thick-skinned
And it hurt that my friends never stood downwind
And oh, the shame
He was ashamed
Thought of changing" my name
What's in a name?
And I got downhearted
How did ya feel?
Everytime that I...
Hey! Pumbaa! Not in front of the kids!
Oh. Sorry
Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase
Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze
It means no worries for the rest of your days
It's our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata!
(Repeat)
It means no worries for the rest of your days
It's our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata!
(Repeat)
Words and expressions in English to translate the song
- Problem-free philosophy - philosophy of freedom from problems
- Motto – motto, slogan. Hakuna Matata is the motto of this lively couple, which they explain to the future lion king.
- What's a-motto with you? – here Timon plays with the phrase “What’s the matter with you?” - “What’s wrong with you?” It seems to him that the word “motto” sounds similar to the word “matter” (matter, subject). So if you want to translate this piece literary, then you need to think carefully. -play on words “Motto - be surprised!”
- Craze – passion, mania. True, this hobby does not go away for Timon and Pumbaa. So they sing - no passing craze (not a passing hobby, an eternal fad)
- Take Pumbaa for example – Take Pumbaa as an example. Well, or “take, for example, Pumbaa.” Take me for example – take me, for example.
Warthog is a warthog, a species of African wild pig. Pumbaa belongs to this species - Aroma - usually this word conveys some pleasant smell, fragrance. But here Timon is simply being ironic and softening Pumbaa’s situation a little
- Appeal is very ambiguous word. It can be translated in different ways: from appeal to attractiveness. Here it is translated as “attractiveness.” He found his aroma lacked a certain appeal - He discovered that his aroma lacked a certain appeal.
- Savannah - savannah
- To clear - to clean, remove, empty
- Sensitive soul - sensitive, very gentle, touchy (Sensitive soul - gentle soul)
- Thick-skinned - thick-skinned
- I "m a sensitive soul though I seem thick-skinned - there is an interesting language game going on here. Thick-skinned has the same meaning as our word “thick-skinned,” that is, “unemotional.” But as we already understood, this is not about Pumbaa He has just a sensitive soul. in this case The word thick-skinned literally means “thick skin.” And this is not surprising, because we are talking about a pig. So the whole phrase will be translated as: “I have a vulnerable soul, although I have thick skin.”
- Downwind – downwind, Upwind – against the wind
- To be ashamed of – to be ashamed of something; He was ashamed - He was ashamed
- Thought of changin" my name – I thought about changing my name, changin’ = changing
- What's in a name? - With this phrase, Timon ironically quotes Shakespeare. Remember the passage from “Romeo and Juliet”, where main character proves to his beloved that his last name is not important at all? Only there, further in the text, it was said that the rose will smell like a rose, regardless of the name (“What"s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” - “What is a name? The rose will smell a rose, call it a rose or not"). Here, of course, we are also talking about smells, though they are more prosaic.
- Downhearted - downhearted, sad
- Not in front of the kids! - Not in front of children!
- It means no worries for the rest of your days - This means that you don’t have to worry for the rest of your days
Timon and Pumbaa's motto
Memorize the lyrics to "The Lion King" and remember this catchy tune from the Disney movie every time you have a... Bad mood. Timon and Pumbaa will definitely raise your mood at least a couple of points. You just have to remember that:
Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase
Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze
It's our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata!
Well, to consolidate the effect, be sure to repeat this again in Russian:
Hakuna matata! What a wonderful phrase!
Hakuna Matata! A permanent quirk!
This means: no worries for the rest of your days!
This is our philosophy of freedom from problems.
Hakuna Matata!
Now you know exactly what Timon and Pumbaa sing about in English. Sing along with them. Hakuna Matata!
Shutikova Anna