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Boma
Boma
Physical information
Gender

Male

Species

Cape buffalo

Hair color

Gray

Eye color

Black

Biographical information
Status

Undetermined

Residence

Pride Lands

Affiliations

   Boma's herd
   Pride Landers

Titles

Leader of Boma's herd

Relationship information
Family

Unnamed grandparents

Allies

Ahadi, Mufasa, Muwa, Nzee, Pembe, Pudini

Enemies

Rafiki, Taka, Mufasa (formerly)

Mufasa: I want to talk to you about this water hole. You must share it with the other animals until the rains come.
Boma: Must I?
—Boma and Mufasa[src]

Boma is a male cape buffalo. He is the leader of a herd of cape buffalo in the Pride Lands.

During a drought, Boma and his herd hogged a water hole, depriving their fellow Pride Landers of water. In an attempt to get Mufasa in trouble with their father Ahadi, Taka tricked his brother into asking Boma to share the water hole with the other Pride Landers. However, Taka interrupted the negotiations by setting up a fight between Boma and Mufasa. Boma took the bait and chased Mufasa, but ended up falling into a ravine, where he was eventually rescued by one of Ahadi's subjects.

Later, Boma assisted Mufasa in stopping an army ant invasion. Together with several other Pride Landers, he pushed boulders off Zulu Falls, which allowed the water to flow freely and wash away the ants.

Biography[]

Early life[]

There's only one waterhole left, and Boma and the other cape buffaloes won't let me near it.
―A leopard to Ahadi[src]

Boma lived in the Pride Lands, where he became the leader of a herd of cape buffalo.[1] At some point in his life, Boma lost his grandparents to an army ant attack.[2] During a drought, he and his herd hogged a water hole, which deprived the other Pride Landers of water and caused them to complain to their king, Ahadi.[1]

Drought[]

Taka: Boma, you will share this water hole or face my brother in combat!
Boma: So, Ahadi sends his children to me! And you want to fight me!
Mufasa: No, I-
Boma: Very well, then! Let the fight begin!
—Boma, Mufasa, and Taka[src]

During Ahadi's reign, a terrible drought struck the Pride Lands. Many Pride Landers came before Ahadi to complain about the shortage of food and water. During this meeting, a leopard told Ahadi that Boma and his herd were hogging the only water source left in the Pride Lands and not letting any other Pride Landers near it. Ahadi was unable to address the problem, as other animals brought up the issue of the hyenas.

Boma2

Boma chases Mufasa and Rafiki.

Later, Rafiki followed Taka's scent to the last water hole left in the Pride Lands, where Boma was standing belly-deep in the water. As Mufasa approached the pool, Boma asked him what he wanted. Mufasa tactfully told Boma that he had to share the water hole with the other animals until the rains came, but Boma was not keen on sharing. At that moment, Taka approached from behind and roared. Boma whirled around and demanded to know what he was doing, and Taka explained that he was enforcing the Lion King's orders. He then told Boma that if he did not listen to Mufasa, he would have to face him in combat. Greatly angered at this, Boma lamented how Ahadi had sent his children to do his work for him. He then accused Mufasa of wanting to fight him. Mufasa tried to protest, but Boma ignored him and charged. Rafiki urged Mufasa to run, and the two raced away, with Boma in pursuit.

As he ran, Rafiki began to weaken. When he was unable to go any farther, Mufasa picked him up and carried him away. As they were escaping, Rafiki spotted a log in the distance. Mufasa was confident and made the jump easily. Boma, however, missed the jump and fell into the ravine below. Coming to a halt, Mufasa told Boma that he himself had once fallen into the ravine. Boma angrily yelled at Mufasa that he would have revenge. Mufasa told him that they did not have to fight, for they were brothers in the great Circle of Life. Boma ignored him and continued belting threats at Mufasa. He then said that "the others" would get Taka. Confused, Mufasa looked out into the distance and saw Taka rolling on the ground, laughing. Three cape buffalo from Boma's herd emerged from out of the grass and began charging at Taka. They then began to attack him relentlessly.

Later, after Taka was cared for by Rafiki, Ahadi sent an elephant to help Boma out of the ravine.[1]

Army ant attack[]

Well, I'm ready for this fight. My grandparents were taken by them years ago. I have never forgotten that awful attack.
―Boma[src]

Zazu heard a strange rumor going around the Pride Lands about a mysterious beast. He reported the story to Mufasa, who expressed concern. The Lion King started to go around the Pride Lands and ask the other animals if they had seen or heard anything about the beast. He started by talking to Boma, who had heard the rumor from an elephant. He told Mufasa that he had not seen anything but was still nervous since the elephant had sounded afraid of the beast.

Boma3

Boma pushes rocks off Zulu Falls.

Later, while Zazu was flying over the Pride Lands, he saw Boma resting in his pool.

Shortly afterward, a hoard of army ants invaded the Pride Lands. Mufasa asked a crowd of animals, including Boma, to help stop the invasion. He informed the animals that if they were to move the rocks at the top of Zulu Falls, the water would have more room to flow and would wash away the invading army ants. The animals were uneasy, but Boma told Mufasa that he was ready to fight, for he had lost his grandparents to army ants years ago.

When the animals were gathered on top of Zulu Falls, Mufasa instructed Boma and Pembe to push off the biggest boulders while Muwa, Nzee, and Pudini handled the smaller rocks. With the combined strength of all the animals, the rocks began to shake. Waiting for Mufasa's orders, Boma and Pembe prepared for the final push. Mufasa then shouted the order, and Boma and Pembe gave the rocks a massive push, sending them hurtling off the falls. The ants were washed away, and the Pride Lands was saved.[2]

Physical appearance[]

Boma is a massive and powerfully built cape buffalo, with broad shoulders, curved gray horns, and a hump on his back. His main pelt is pale gray, while his ears, eye rims, and muzzle are dark gray. He has black eyes with purple sclerae.[1]

Personality and traits[]

Boma: I'll get you for this!
Mufasa: I didn't come to fight you. We are all brothers. Brothers in the Circle of Life.
Boma: I'll get you, and the others will get your brother!
—Boma and Mufasa[src]

Boma is aggressive, controlling, and short-tempered. He is also seclusive and selfish, as he does not acknowledge nor respect the Circle of Life. His ignorance and selfish nature often affect those around him, such as when he refused to share his water hole with the other Pride Landers during a drought. He uses his strength to his advantage and jumps at the opportunity to fight.[1] Despite his violent tendencies, Boma is sometimes cooperative and helpful, as seen when he helped stop an army ant attack on the Pride Lands.[2]

Appearances[]

Trivia[]

  • Boma's name means "fortress" in Swahili.[3]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Simmons, Alex. A Tale of Two Brothers (1994). ISBN: 0717283488.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 McGuire, Leslie. How True, Zazu? (1994). ISBN: 0717283496.
  3. Online Swahili - English Dictionary. African Languages. Retrieved on September 1, 2020.
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