Rafiki
Portrayed by
Tsidii Le Loka (Broadway; debut)
Other names
Monkey, omniscient monkey
Occupation
Shaman
Source
Rafiki is a supporting character in the musical adaptation of The Lion King character of the same name .
Background [ ] In the musical, the character of Rafiki went through a minor change. Because director Julie Taymor felt that the story lacked the presence of a strong female (other than Nala), Rafiki was changed into a female mandrill. The role was originated on Broadway by Tsidii Le Loka, who was nominated for a Tony Award in 1998 for her performance.
Rafiki's role is expanded in the musical. She sings the song Circle of Life and her painting scene is extended. She also sings a song called "Rafiki Mourns ", in which she mourns Mufasa's death. She also has a brief role in Nala's song "Shadowland ", blessing Nala for her journey to find help. Instead of finding Simba's scent on dust, Rafiki hears Simba's song "Endless Night " on the wind. Rafiki meets Simba and shows him that his father lives on inside him through the song "He Lives in You " (it should be noted that Rafiki's "Asante Sana" chant is completely changed). She is present during the battle, fighting a hyena using hand-to-hand combat.
Lastly, she appears adorning Simba with the king's mantle and then presents his newborn cub at the end of the play.
Trivia [ ] His name translates to "friend" in Swahili. Gallery [ ]
Tsidii le Loka as Rafiki in the
musical's original cast
Actress Buyi Zama as Rafiki in Taiwan.
See also [ ]
v e d
Characters
The Lion King: Simba Nala Mufasa Scar Rafiki Timon Pumbaa Zazu Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed Sarabi Sarafina The Pridelanders Pride Animals Hyena Clan Wildebeests Mole Vultures Grubs The Lion King II: Simba's Pride: Kiara Kovu Zira Vitani Nuka Outsiders Crocodiles The Lion King 1½: Ma Uncle Max Meerkat Colony Timon & Pumbaa: The Native Chief The Three Natives Mother Gorilla Fronk Fegnugen Monti Baampu Nobi Fred Quint The Woodpecker Bruce Stinky Ralph and Eddie Teds Savage Lion Bartholomew The Tarsier Toucan Dan Vulture Police Ned Nefu Rabbit Uncle Boaris Uncle Ernie Boss Beaver Boy Beaver Lester the Whale The Tigress Jackal The Cobra Speedy the Snail Smolder the Bear Little Jimmy Irwin El Toro Count Down Mr. Pig Wolverine Jumbo Jumbo the Elephant Cheetato and Cheetata Martin Partin Rita Book Chef Claude Captain Bloodbeard Cisco Pig Cisco Pig's Gang Dr. Cagliostro Torgo The Meerkat Angel Wonderful Rhino of Laws Pumbaa Jr. Dr. Happy Leslie Lambeau Mr. Buttons Sharla Warthog Sounder Herman Lara Mel Claudius Bahuka Tutan Pharaoh Genie Madame Credenza Duke Meerkat Tatiana Mother Eagle Baby Earl King Leopold Princess Claudia Sigmund and Lloyd Heimlich and Schnitzel Mad Dog McGraw, Billy the Goat, and Three-fingered Jackelope Dr. Exeter Sal Mander Jungle Inspector Bigfoot Pimon and Tumbaa The Lion Guard: Kion Bunga Fuli Beshte Ono Tiifu Zuri Janja Cheezi Chungu Janja's Clan Mzingo Mzingo's Parliament Mwoga Makuu Makuu's Float Pua Basi Basi's Pod Ushari Jasiri Madoa Tunu and Wema Jasiri's Clan Thurston Mbeya Porcupine Brothers Ma Tembo Zito Aminifu Reirei Goigoi Dogo Dogo's Brothers Kijana Reirei's Pack Twiga Juhudi Shingo Muhanga and Muhangus Tamaa Nala's Father Swala Muhimu Hamu Ajabu Makucha Makucha's Leap Makucha's Army Fahari Jiona Mjomba Ogpoa Haya Laini Badili Mbuni Mapigano Mtoto Gumba Kambuni Kwato Shauku Nne Tano Vuruga Vuruga Young Rhino Lioness Majinuni and Hafifu King Sokwe Hadithi Big Baboon Bupu Boboka Chura Kifaru Mwenzi Uroho Mwizi Kulinda Ona Mpishi Makini Shupavu Waza Njano Kiburi Tamka Nduli Kiburi's Float Chama • Kenge Dhahabu Hodari Starehe Raha Nyuni Sumu Kongwe Kinyonga Kuchimba Shujaa Anga Strange Lion Strange Cobra The Fastest The Strongest The Bravest The Keenest of Sight Yuki Hitashi Kimyo and Nabasu Domog Dughi Bogino Chuluun Pãgala Krud'dha Lumba-Lumba Old Civet Ora Komodo Dragon Fikiri Kitendo Tupp Azaad Flamingo Girls Flamingo Girls' Flamboyance Tenuk Tompok Seisou Bambun Mouse Deer Mama Binturong Smun Yun Mibu Nirmala Rani Baliyo Surak Janna Ullu Sãhasí Ãnanda Binga Tangaagim Pinguino Cek and Rama Tsah and Sasem Astuto Varya Feliks, Pasha, and Polina Heng Heng Kely Kely's Troop Askari Shabaha Kasi Imara Tazama Printed Media: Uru Ahadi Kopa Boma Zuzu Joka Lulu Deleted: Diku Baasho Iggy Herr Rhino Kwashi Bhati Mheetu Banagi Daabi Dwala Naanda Remake: Simba Nala Mufasa Scar Rafiki Timon Pumbaa Zazu Shenzi, Kamari, and Azizi Sarabi Sarafina Kiara Dembe Mufasa: The Lion King: Kiros Outsiders Eshe Obasi Masego Afia Junia Amara Akua Ajarry Chigaru Mosi Inaki Azibo Mobo Shaju Obasi's Pride Zala Musical: Simba Mufasa Scar Nala Refiki Zazu Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed Timon Miscellaneous: Zawadi Kiume Kibibi Nakawa
