#TheLionKing singer Lebohang Morake, who performed the iconic chant in “Circle of Life,” is suing a comedian for mistranslating the chant’s meaning.
The song begins with the chant: “Nants’ingonyama bagithi Baba.” Morake’s lawsuit points to an episode of the “One54” podcast… pic.twitter.com/OWEvLck6HF
— Variety (@Variety) March 26, 2026
Lebohang Morake is suing a comedian for mistranslating the meaning of ‘Circle of Life’.
The song’s chant “Nants’ingonyama bagithi Baba” translates to “All hail the king, we all bow in the presence of the king.” Comedian Learnmore Jonasi said on his podcast and stand up routine that it translates to “Look, there’s a lion. Oh my god.”
“Such viral statements, [the lawsuit] says, are interfering with Morake’s business relationships with Disney and his income from royalties, causing more than $20 million in actual damages. The lawsuit also seeks $7 million in punitive damages,” The Guardian reports. “The complaint argues that Jonasi presented his translation ‘as authoritative fact, not comedy’ so it shouldn’t get the first amendment protections afforded to parody and satire that make fun of other artistic works.”
