thought it was interesting that it was not only on one of the kids' t-shirts, but it was also in the lyrics to one of the songs that the natives were singing.
Morogo also uses the phrase, when Ted and Susan come to him for guidance and ask if he knows how to get to a certain destination, and he replies, "Hakuna matata. No problem."
Incidentally, lyricist Tim Rice said he saw the phrase in a book of Swahili phrases and were inspired to write The Lion King song, but I call bullsh!t, because the phrase was featured prominently here, also a Disney film, so the Disney people already were familiar with it.
My thoughts exactly. They didn't want to pay royalties on the already-existing song (NOT a traditional song as the writer was credited) so made a cover story for where they heard the phrase...didn't cover their tracks any better than the dude with the tire shoes. For anyone who thinks they didn't watch this movie before making The Lion King, just watch the opening scenes of both.
What on earth are you talking about? The song is called Jambo Bwana and was released in 1982 by a Kenyan group called Them Mushrooms. Teddy Harrison is credited in the film's credits as writing the song. Teddy Harrison founded Them Mushrooms. In 1980 he composed Jambo Bwana.