Should Disney be charged of Neo-Colonialism? Or Plagiarism maybe. That is the current debate online as a section of Africans including Kenyans have claimed that the slogan ‘Hakuna Matata’ was stolen from them.
The Hakuna Matata slogan has sparked a lot of reactions after the news hit the global waves that Disney now has it as their trademark registered in 2003 and blocks anyone else from printing the Swahili phrase on T-shirts. According to Wikipedia, In 2018 Disney trademarked the phrase in the USA.
Which leaves Kenyans in fury as the slogan was In 1982, used by the music of Kenyan hostel band The Mushrooms (now known as Uyoga) released the Swahili song Jambo Bwana (“Hello Mister”), which repeats the phrase “Hakuna matata” in its refrain. The song was written by band leader John Katana.
A Zimbabwean activist has filed a petition calling for Disney to release its trademark on the words “Hakuna Matata” arguing that a culture’s language can’t and should not be patented.
The petition has already attracted more than 40000 signatures and still counting from people calling it cultural appropriation of the Swahili language.
The phrase, which translates to “No problem” or “no worries,” was made popular by the 1994 film The Lion King and has since re-emerged due to the upcoming live-action remake of the immensely popular children’s musical.
Kenyans have joined in the campaign to defend the ‘Hakuna Matata’ saying that they will not make noise only but also put their fight in action.
Already many with printed t shirts and outfits with the ‘Hakuna Matata’ slogan have taken to social media as they share photos and take pride in it.
Some are however wondering why the Swahili Speaking countries seem to be unbothered and only jumped into the conversation after a petition that had to be filed by a Zimbabwean who does not even speak Swahili.
There was outrage before but it never got to that. The Tourism and Wildlife TV has stated that they shall sue Disney for this is grand theft and unacceptable.
Adding on to that, they say that the slogan has been deeply rooted in their cultural heritage and that should not be taken away from them.
Some Kenyans have suggested that this could be an effect of how some African countries do not promote their own content but always seem to lean on that of foreign countries.
From music, films and raw African talent. Hakuna Matata has been used by most Kiswahili-speaking countries suchs as Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The petition states that Disney can’t be allowed to trademark something that it didn’t invent and Kenyans are backing this up
Our African stupidity is getting to ridiculous proportions. I’m in a Matatu from Rongai called “Lil Weezy,” It’s playing Nicki Minaj, it has Martin Luther quotes all over inside.. the seats are written American States, and am busy complaining about “Hakuna Matata” by Disney.
— Antony Tito Sammy (@tito_antony) December 19, 2018
Instead of making noise, Kenyans can decide to print several Hakuna Matata t-shirts and see how those Disney guys will enforce the trademark. Kama NASA is a trademark and we still used it…
— Lee Makwiny (@leemakwiny) December 18, 2018