Disney faces criticism for trademarking Swahili phrase

World
Europe

Disney has been accused of 'colonialism and robbery' for trademarking the famous Swahili phrase “hakuna matata,” with more than 50,000 people raising a petition urging the company to drop the trademark, The Guardian reported.

The phrase roughly means “no troubles” in Swahili -- one of the most widely used languages in Africa. It was well-known to westerners in 1982 when the Kenyan band Them Mushrooms used the phrase in the chorus of the song “Jambo Bwana” (Hello, Mister), which has become very popular and generated many covers.

In Disney's 1994 animation “The Lion King,” the phrase became the film's repetitive line and the name of its Oscar-winning original song “Hakuna Matata.” Later in 2003, Disney trademarked the phrase for exclusive use in the U.S.

“Disney can't be allowed to trademark something that it didn't invent,” wrote Zimbabwean Shelton Mpala, who created the petition, according to The Guardian.

A poster of "The Lion King." /VCG Photo

Professor Kimani Njogu, who is committed to advancing cultural and linguistic rights in Kenya, stressed that the phrase is the property of the people who created and popularized it.

He told The Guardian that companies like Disney are “taking advantage of cultural expressions and lifestyles and cultural goods coming from Africa.”

The phrase was widely printed on goods sold to tourists in Africa. However, as it is trademarked, such goods are not allowed to be sold in the U.S.

By December 19, more than 52,000 people have signed the petition. Disney has not yet given any response to the case.

(Top image: A screentshot of "The Lion King." /VCG Photo)