The Village of Harambe in Animal Kingdom is located in Africa. Harambe is Swahili for “come together” and this village is a blend of various African locations including a fortress from Zanzibar and an older building that was originally seen in Kenya.
According to Disney legend, Harambe was once part of a Dutch colony but a peaceful revolution made Harambe a self-governing governing entity in 1961. Once surrounded by a fortress, you can still spot the footprints of the old walls on the pavement and the crumbling wall and remaining cannons behind the Dawa Bar. The village was designed to resemble an East African port that tourists would stay in before their safari excursions. You will find buildings that represent hotels, restaurants, an outdoor bar, marketplace and even live entertainment.
True to detail, Disney has plastered a variety of broadsides and signs on the side of the buildings in Harambe. Each one tells you a story about what life is like in Harambe. And if you look closely, you might even spot a Coke bottle on top of a utility pole that works as an insulator for a power line.
The Cast Members in Harambe are all African natives that are working for Disney on exchange. Strike up a conversation with them, you never know what you might learn about the African culture.
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