Sarafina is a lioness character who first appeared in Disney's popular 1994 animated feature film The Lion King. She was voiced by Zoe Leader. Her name is Swahili for 'Bright Star'.

Sarafina in The Lion King

Sarafina is the mother of Nala. She is a minor character and has only one line of dialogue: "Hmm. What do you think, Sarabi?"

Sarafina is first seen bathing her daughter Nala as Simba comes running along to tell Nala about the elephant graveyard. She is seen later mourning the loss of Mufasa and Simba with the other lionesses, and then years later aiding in the battle against Scar's hyena minions when Simba returns. Her actual name is never mentioned in the movie.

It is interesting to note that when Nala grows up, she strongly resembles her mother.

Sarafina in Other Media

Sarafina from an Estonian comic

Despite Sarafina's status as a minor character her role has been expanded through comics and books. Many fans now consider her as a full fledged main character. In The Lion King: Six New Adventures, Sarafina makes an appearance in the book Nala's Dare. She aids Ni and saves Nala from hyenas, and then introduces Ni to the rest of the pride.