The Down/Maxwell theory of the patriarchy of Nala By James Maxwell and Raymond Down Jr. Theory: Nala is not the daughter of Scar or Mufasa. Mufasa and Scar took over the Pride Rock Pride and Mufasa mated with all the lionesses including Sarafina (Already pregnant by the previous ruler) and Sarabi. Nala and Simba were the result. Known Film Facts -Nala and Simba roughly same age -Sarafina is Nala's mother -Sarabai and Mufasa are Simba's parents -Nala and Simba are betrothed -Mufasa is the leader of the Pride Rock Pride (PRP) -Scar and Mufasa are brothers -Scar and Mufasa share a father (Ahadi) -Nala is never refered to as a daughter of either Scar or Mufasa, nor is she refered to as a relative of Simba's. Known Lion Facts -Dominant brother breeds -Incoming male kills previous males offspring -Lionesses are related -Lionesses, not lions, form the base of a pride -Males change often -Males tend to wander before finding a pride -Males are forced out at 3.5 years -Males can only take over pride after ousting previous male -Lionesses may deceive incoming males into believing cubs born following a takeover are their own. -Females will fight to protect their cubs. Theory: Nala is not the daughter of Scar or Mufasa. Mufasa and Scar took over the PRP and Mufasa mated with all the lionesses including Sarafina (Already pregnant) and Sarabi. The result was Nala and Simba, not related by birth. Support: As Mufasa is the dominant brother; only he can mate with the lionesses. Because of this, Nala would have to be Simba's sister. If Nala were Mufasa's daughter, Scar would have killed her upon ascension to the throne. Nala was left alive, so she can't be Mufasa's daughter. Scar is not the dominant brother, so he cannot have sired Nala. It's never established the line of Ahadi/Mufasa/Simba has held pride rock for the entire line. Given that Scar and Mufasa would have been forced out of Ahadi's pride at 3.5 years, they would have wandered before getting their own pride. Based on rules of succession, Mufasa and Scar would have assumed the lionesses of pride, but only Mufasa would be allowed reproductive rights. We only see two cubs in the movie suggesting that Mufasa has killed all the cubs currently in the pride at the time of his takeover. And given the mortality rate of cubs, the lack of cubs at pride rock in the present time, makes sense. Conclusion: Nala's father will remain anonymous, as neither Pride Rock Male could be here father. This was hashed out over five sleepless hourse and included amoung other things a call (Later the next day) to Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo to establish if Sarafina could save her cub. The answer from the zoo was this would be the case.