What Is Milele? The Origin Of Lion King’s Pride Lands Explained

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Mufasa: The Lion King!

Mufasa: The Lion King centers on the titular lion and his brother Taka trying to reach the fabled land, Milele; however, it takes more than them to arrive for the location to become the Pride Lands. In 2019, Disney created a live-action adaptation of the 1994 animated film The Lion King, bringing in mixed reviews. Rather than simply adapting the sequel film for the big screen, the production company created an original story that shifts the focus away from Simba, highlighting his father’s childhood instead.

Mufasa’s path from a lost child to king is not simple, as he had no actual claim to the throne. However, his character arc in Mufasa: The Lion King shows that he possessed all the qualities necessary to lead long before he became the reigning monarch of the Pride Lands. All he needed was a community to follow him and a place to call home. In the prequel, this takes the form of Milele.

What Milele Means & Where Is It?

Milele Is Representative Of Stability And Safety

Early in the movie, Mufasa asks his mother, Afia, what’s over in the area where the light touches the Earth, and she tells him that it’s Milele, singing the eponymous song on the Mufasa: The Lion King soundtrack. Mufasa’s mom and dad, Afia and Masego, are taking him to Milele at the beginning of the movie before they get split up. The word “Milele” means “forever” in Swahili, representing a place where they will have perpetual safety and abundance. Afia describes Milele as located at the farthest point, past the deepest canyon, where the light touches the land.

Related

Where To Watch Mufasa: The Lion King – Showtimes & Streaming Status

Disney has brought the Lion King franchise back with a prequel. Here’s where to watch Mufasa: The Lion King in theaters, on streaming, and on digital.

When traveling to Milele, Mufasa and Taka – later joined by Sarabi, Zazu, and Rafiki – travel past a waterfall, down a canyon, and across a mountain range. Eventually, they find Milele, the location that becomes the Pride Lands. This area has beautiful prairies, waterfalls, a river, trees, and plenty of animals. However, Milele doesn’t have Pride Rock until the end of Mufasa: The Lion King, when an earthquake hits during the climactic battle. Before that, the location simply has a rocky hill that rises above the rest of the area.

Milele Is A Myth In The Lion King

The Lions Know About Milele But Don’t Believe It Exists

Based on the way the Mufasa: The Lion King characters speak about Milele, the location seems like a myth that all the lions know about, but nobody alive has been to. The myth defies the boundaries of the prides, with different groups all having knowledge of the legendary location. Mufasa, Afia, and Rafiki are the only people who believe the place exists if they travel far enough. Even Taka and Nala, who travel with him, seem skeptical about Milele’s existence, going along with Mufasa because it’s important to him.

Related

Are Mufasa & Scar Brothers? Their History & Relationship In Lion King Fully Explained

The original The Lion King sets up Mufasa and Scar as blood brothers, but are they really? Mufasa: The Lion King clarifies their relationship.

It’s unclear whether the lions once lived in Milele or if it’s simply a myth that ended up being true. Considering that their description of the place matches up with the visuals of the Pride Lands, it seems that their ancestors might have lived in Milele and migrated away for some reason.

In this case, the location would become a myth once enough generations have passed without returning to their home while continuing to pass along the oral history. If the Lion King franchise ever added another original movie, it would be interesting to see a prequel explaining how and why the lions left Milele. However, a live-action prequel that does not involve known characters would be a risk that Disney probably wouldn’t want to take.

How Mufasa Turns Milele Into The Pride Lands

Mufasa’s Leadership Helps Create The Pride Lands in Mufasa: The Lion King

Milele and the Pride Lands might take up the same space, but they aren’t the same thing. Milele is the land upon which the Pride Lands kingdom is built, and the former only becomes the latter because of Mufasa’s leadership and inspiration. When Mufasa and his group arrive in Milele, the animals don’t want them to stay. There’s a division among the species, with each looking out for their own interests.

However, everyone fears the lions hunting Mufasa and Taka, knowing they could wreak havoc on Milele. Luckily, Mufasa motivates the animals to work together against the enemy lions, explaining the strengths of the different species. He assures them that he’s no better than they are just because he’s a lion.

Related

Mufasa: The Lion King’s James Earl Jones Tribute & Full Quote Explained

Mufasa: The Lion King begins with a tribute to former Mufasa voice actor James Earl Jones, using a quote from the actor to honor his legacy.

The moment when all the animals come together to fight Kiros and his group in Mufasa: The Lion King is when Milele becomes The Pride Lands. They’re all one community, defending their brethren against violent enemies. Harm to one is harm to all, and they won’t go down without a fight. It’s simply a formality when the animals decide to crown the titular character their king, making The Pride Lands a kingdom.

Release Date

December 20, 2024

Main Genre

Adventure

Director

Barry Jenkins

Writers

Jeff Nathanson

Expand