What the Lion King's Opening Lyrics Actually Mean (And Why Millions Are Laughing)

From major highlights to background context, understand everything about What the Lion King's Opening Lyrics Actually Mean (And Why Millions Are Laughing) in our latest feature.

Q1: What language is spoken in the opening chant of The Lion King?

The opening vocal chant is sung in isiZulu (Zulu), one of South Africa's eleven official languages. It is not Swahili, even though other famous phrases in the movie (such as "Hakuna Matata" and the name "Simba") are Swahili words from East Africa.

Q2: Who is the man singing the opening vocal line?

The singer is South African composer, arranger, and performer Lebo M (Lebohang Morake). He improvised the chant during an early recording session with Hans Zimmer in Los Angeles and directed the African choral arrangements across the entire production.

Q3: Does the chant actually mean "Here comes a lion"?

Yes. The literal English translation of "Nants ingonyama bagithi baba" is "Here comes a lion, father / folks," followed by the choral response "Sithi uhm ingonyama," which translates to "Oh yes, it is a lion." The lyrics announce royal authority in a traditional Zulu praise style.

Q4: Why did the lyric translation trigger a $27 million lawsuit?

In 2026, a stand-up comedian posted a viral podcast segment mocking the simplicity of the Zulu lyrics. Lebo M filed a $27 million lawsuit alleging defamation and intellectual property violations, prompting a vigorous defense under Fair Use and free speech protections.