The Harambe Revolution or Uhuru 1961 (Swahili: Freedom 1961) is a fictional event in the backstory of Kilimanjaro Safaris and Africa in Disney's Animal Kingdom.
History[]
Background[]
Beginning[]
Harambe is a port in East-Africa which was colonized by European imperialists around the year 1420. The Europeans (likely belonging to the British Empire) exploited the village as a trading port for practices including ivory trading, big-game hunting, metal trading, and slave trafficking. Harambe stayed under this hellish imperial rule for centuries. In the 19th through early half of the 20th century, the port was visited by several colonial explorers who wished to exploit the indentured land.
Revolution[]
In 1961, the people of Harambe revolted against the Europeans and gained independance.
Aftermath[]
The revolution would become known as Uhuru 1961 and was a celebrated event in the port's history. The city would be ruled by the Harambe Town Council and also made work to preserve nature via founding the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. The Reserve was based out of the former land of the colonial company Smythe-Wallis British East Africa Livestock Ltd..
Appearances[]
Africa[]
References to the revolution are evident throughout the Africa area of Disney's Animal Kingdom. This includes a bench with the words, "Uhuru 1961" and stone-work with the words, "Harambe 1961".[2]
Trivia[]
- The Adventure Trading Company from the attraction of the same name is a colonial organization which was known to have been active in Harambe prior to the revolution.
- Unlike Kilimanjaro Safaris and the Africa area of Disney's Animal Kingdom, the Jungle Cruise and Adventureland tend to romanticize and glamorize European/British colonialism.