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talking Lion King book (the kind featuring picture buttons that each produce a different sound when pressed) provoked controversy in late 1994 when some parents claimed that the phrase uttered by the book after their children pressed the button picturing the baboon Rafiki was 'Squashed bananas up his arse.' The sound clip was actually a shorter version of a chant sung by Rafiki's wise shaman character throughout the film: 'Asante sana. Squash banana. Wewe nugu. Mimi apana.' According to Disney, this chant is Swahili for 'Thank you very much. Squash banana. You're a baboon and I'm not.' Disney's explanation, of course, failed to mollify those parents who remain convinced that nearly every Disney product contains hidden nasty words or images.

What Rafiki really says is 'Asante sana' -- Swahili for 'Thank you very much' -- followed by 'squashed banana.' As the phrases repeat over and over, they run together and produce something that does sound somewhat like 'Squashed bananas up your arse.'

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17 visitors have seen this article (12 this week)

{Meeko}, December 26, 2006 at 20: 38 Member

Man, parents just need to chill. . .

Tibb_wolf, January 15, 2007 at 04: 59 Member

Dang. O_o Parent's are way over reactive. I read that when I was a kid and just dug it out again to see and it didn't sound anything like that to me. I guess parent's are all going crazy. O_o

Baltaylor, January 20, 2007 at 19: 54 Member

I agree with Meeko...

MayaHuskee, January 27, 2007 at 08: 55 Member

Wow. XD Parents are spazes. XDDD!!!... Thats an interesting article. o_0

majalo, February 01, 2007 at 15: 24 Member

Right on the dot Maya! Spazzers. -shakes head- Even worse is when some parents flip out when their kid points at a rock with a stick and starts chanting Harry Potter spells. PFFF XDDDD

kota, February 19, 2007 at 21: 40 Member

LOL maybe parents just have a confusing mind and jump to conclusions

Dragon Tamer, February 22, 2007 at 17: 58 Member

Well, I'm no parent, but I can see their point of view. And I think that in this day and age, I think they have reason to be concerned. With all the junk kids are having pumped into their heads, they often take something fun and innocent and turn it into something dirty. By the way, is there anything in those movies that's not Swahili? I know Simba means "lion," and we all know what "Hakuna Matata" means. Any other translations?

I_love_lion king566, February 27, 2007 at 02: 58 Member

Kula means "eat".

JennaGirl, March 04, 2007 at 14: 35 Member

Geesh, parents ARE kind-of spazzes. I mean, you don't have to make such a big deal out of it, and the kids won't even notice it. However, I do agree that some Disney products have dirty messages or images.

AlueKiara, March 30, 2007 at 22: 39 Member

Wierd. I have that book, and I am a prety good noticer

kittycat123, August 09, 2007 at 17: 16 Member

*starts danceing and chanting* asanta sana squash bannana wee wee nuge me apana*starts screaming and chanting*squashed bannannas up your arse!

Boa Wolf, March 18, 2008 at 22: 44 Member

i agree with DT there are alot of kids that make little things as nasty as possible my opinion they should keep watch but not interfere if it isnt a big deal.

Ichigo Kurosaki, June 21, 2008 at 17: 18 Fan News editor

Thats annoying! Sometimes Parents are OVER protective! °x° *Starts dancing* Squashed bananas up your arse!!!! Thats funny!

Funky_Dog_63, July 08, 2008 at 14: 22 Member

I feel bad for anyone whose parents are overprotective like that.

Conception