Babar's Kingdom
Encyclopedia
Created by Jean de Brunhoff
between 1931 and 1937, Babar's Kingdom, also known in French as Le pays des Éléphants (Elephant Land), is a fictional country
supposedly in Africa
consisting of intelligent elephants, which are usually bipedal and civilized. As its name implies, it is ruled by its first civilized citizen, Babar
himself. The political regime seems to be an absolute monarchy, but it is yet unknown whether it is hereditary or elective. The court consists of King Babar, Queen Celeste, Royal Princes and Princesses (Pom, Flora, Alexander, Isabelle and Badou), Pompadour, Troubadour, and Cornelius, who also serves as Secretary of Defense and a Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The capital is Celesteville, which was built by Babar and named after his Queen. The name of the city is sometimes used for the country.
A neighboring country is Rhino Land, ruled by the (sometimes) tyrannical King Rataxes
. The relations between Celesteville and Rhinoland had occasionally flared into war, though it is usually just a statement and peace is restored before much damage or casualties are suffered. The elephant army is under the direct command of King Babar (and likewise the rhino army is under the command of Rataxes). Some stories feature the two countries working together against common threats, such as when the area is infiltrated by poachers, and the two will help each other during times of need or crisis. In the television series, after working together to defend the region against a group of poachers, the two countries, along with other nearby animal-controlled territories, form a "united jungle coalition", a concept similar to the United Nations
, which prevents major conflicts between the animal countries thereafter. The militaries of the countries are considered simple and rely mostly on simple hand weaponry, such as spears and staffs. Guns are strictly forbidden by all the animals, due to their disgust with the poachers who would use the weapons. Not even Rataxes dares to think of arming his country with such things, after seeing their effects first-hand.
The countries do seem to have at least some trade and commerce with each other, as well as with other kingdoms and countries, both animal and human controlled.
Celeste.
Celesteville is described differently in several places in the series. In the original incarnation, Babar built Celesteville after he returned from France, and began westernizing
his kingdom
. He named his new city Celesteville, after the female elephant he had fallen in love with. The city lies in the middle of a jungle plain, surrounded by mountains, and is connected to a nearby sea or ocean, and is a port city.
The second incarnation depicts Babar growing up in an already westernized country, with a capital already named Celesteville. This creates a rather interesting continuity
paradox.
Early on, like the rest of Babar's Kingdom, Celesteville is primarily populated by elephants. Minorities include monkeys, lions, crocodiles, hippos
and at least one human
. Though they are minority populations, they are treated as equals with the elephants, and are given the same rights, liberties, and respects that the elephants have, and are fully incorporated into the elephant society.
However this has drastically changed later on, with the city the city having a vast number of other animals besides elephants, possibly due to the taming of wild jungle animals.
Known citizens of Celesteville include:
By Babar's decrees, a number of public institutions, schools, hospitals, parks, museums, libraries, an opera house, and other infrastructures have been built. The kingdom has a rail line, and Celesteville itself is connected to a large body of water (presumably a sea or ocean), making it a port city. Vehicle traffic is common in the kingdom, especially Celesteville, but most of the residents still seem to prefer to travel on foot or by bicycle, since many of the city's amenities seem to be fairly close to each other. The city is wired with electricity and phone service, which are commonplace, and there also appears to be a limited amount of radio and television services. Fresh water and sewage systems are also abundant. The kingdom has a policy of free press
, and is serviced in large part by newspaper. Literacy and schooling is high, and it appears that nearly 100 percent of the population is educated. Crime, poverty, and the penal system are rarely featured in the series, and are presumed to be rare in Babar's Kingdom.
Babar and his family, as well as his advisors and some royal staff, live in a large palace in the center of the city. The palace is the kingdom's largest structure, contains several stories, dozens of rooms, and a very large garden complex. It also houses a home for madame, the first building completed in Celesteville
. Still, later in the series this aspect of Babar's Kingdom is played down. For instance, the rhinos also seem to have a Western culture, but no backstory is given of Rataxes, who also denies his native roots. In the second movie, this idea was abandoned altogether, resulting in the rather glaring continuity paradox of Babar growing up in anthropomorphic
Celesteville, then falling in love with Celeste and making her his queen.
Jean de Brunhoff
Jean de Brunhoff was a French writer and illustrator known for creating the Babar books, the first of which appeared in 1931. He was the fourth and youngest child of Maurice de Brunhoff, a publisher, and his wife Marguerite. He attended Protestant schools, including the prestigious Ecole Alsacienne...
between 1931 and 1937, Babar's Kingdom, also known in French as Le pays des Éléphants (Elephant Land), is a fictional country
Fictional country
A fictional country is a country that is made up for fictional stories, and does not exist in real life, or one that people believe in without proof....
supposedly in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
consisting of intelligent elephants, which are usually bipedal and civilized. As its name implies, it is ruled by its first civilized citizen, Babar
Babar the Elephant
Babar the Elephant is a French children's fictional character who first appeared in Histoire de Babar by Jean de Brunhoff in 1931 and enjoyed immediate success. An English language version, entitled The Story of Babar, appeared in 1933 in Britain and also in the United States. The book is based on...
himself. The political regime seems to be an absolute monarchy, but it is yet unknown whether it is hereditary or elective. The court consists of King Babar, Queen Celeste, Royal Princes and Princesses (Pom, Flora, Alexander, Isabelle and Badou), Pompadour, Troubadour, and Cornelius, who also serves as Secretary of Defense and a Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The capital is Celesteville, which was built by Babar and named after his Queen. The name of the city is sometimes used for the country.
A neighboring country is Rhino Land, ruled by the (sometimes) tyrannical King Rataxes
King Rataxes
Rataxes, or Lord Rataxes, is a fictional rhinoceros who is a character in the Babar universe. Although he is the monarch de jure of his kingdom, called Rhinoland, his more intelligent wife, Lady Rataxes, is the de facto ruler. He is often surrounded by his rhinoceros guards...
. The relations between Celesteville and Rhinoland had occasionally flared into war, though it is usually just a statement and peace is restored before much damage or casualties are suffered. The elephant army is under the direct command of King Babar (and likewise the rhino army is under the command of Rataxes). Some stories feature the two countries working together against common threats, such as when the area is infiltrated by poachers, and the two will help each other during times of need or crisis. In the television series, after working together to defend the region against a group of poachers, the two countries, along with other nearby animal-controlled territories, form a "united jungle coalition", a concept similar to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, which prevents major conflicts between the animal countries thereafter. The militaries of the countries are considered simple and rely mostly on simple hand weaponry, such as spears and staffs. Guns are strictly forbidden by all the animals, due to their disgust with the poachers who would use the weapons. Not even Rataxes dares to think of arming his country with such things, after seeing their effects first-hand.
The countries do seem to have at least some trade and commerce with each other, as well as with other kingdoms and countries, both animal and human controlled.
Celesteville
Celesteville is the capital of Babar's Kingdom. The city is ruled by King Babar and named after his wife, QueenQueen consort
A queen consort is the wife of a reigning king. A queen consort usually shares her husband's rank and holds the feminine equivalent of the king's monarchical titles. Historically, queens consort do not share the king regnant's political and military powers. Most queens in history were queens consort...
Celeste.
Celesteville is described differently in several places in the series. In the original incarnation, Babar built Celesteville after he returned from France, and began westernizing
Westernization
Westernization or Westernisation , also occidentalization or occidentalisation , is a process whereby societies come under or adopt Western culture in such matters as industry, technology, law, politics, economics, lifestyle, diet, language, alphabet,...
his kingdom
Monarchy
A monarchy is a form of government in which the office of head of state is usually held until death or abdication and is often hereditary and includes a royal house. In some cases, the monarch is elected...
. He named his new city Celesteville, after the female elephant he had fallen in love with. The city lies in the middle of a jungle plain, surrounded by mountains, and is connected to a nearby sea or ocean, and is a port city.
The second incarnation depicts Babar growing up in an already westernized country, with a capital already named Celesteville. This creates a rather interesting continuity
Continuity (fiction)
In fiction, continuity is consistency of the characteristics of persons, plot, objects, places and events seen by the reader or viewer over some period of time...
paradox.
Early on, like the rest of Babar's Kingdom, Celesteville is primarily populated by elephants. Minorities include monkeys, lions, crocodiles, hippos
Hippopotamus
The hippopotamus , or hippo, from the ancient Greek for "river horse" , is a large, mostly herbivorous mammal in sub-Saharan Africa, and one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae After the elephant and rhinoceros, the hippopotamus is the third largest land mammal and the heaviest...
and at least one human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
. Though they are minority populations, they are treated as equals with the elephants, and are given the same rights, liberties, and respects that the elephants have, and are fully incorporated into the elephant society.
However this has drastically changed later on, with the city the city having a vast number of other animals besides elephants, possibly due to the taming of wild jungle animals.
Known citizens of Celesteville include:
- Babar - King of Celesteville.
- Celeste - Babar's wife and cousin (in the books) and the queen of the realm.
- Arthur - Celeste's Brother, or in the books, Babar's 2nd cousin.
- Pom, Flora, Alexander and Isabelle - Babar's children. Pom flora and alexander are triplets. Isabelle is the youngest child.
- Cornelius - an elephant, he is the Prime MinisterPrime ministerA prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
of the Kingdom. He wears a military uniform and has the role of an entire cabinetCabinet (government)A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
, acting as a Minister of Defense and a Minister of Foreign Affairs. - Pompadour - an elephant that dresses in 18th century attire, including wig. He usually acts as a ChamberlainChamberlain (office)A chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing a household. In many countries there are ceremonial posts associated with the household of the sovereign....
to Babar. - Troubadour - a companion to Pompadour, but he doesn't speak.
- Zephir - a monkey, and a personal friend of Babar.
- Madame (The Old Lady) - a lady that Babar befriended in France, and returned with him when he became king. She taught him many things, and was kind and caring, and in many ways became a surrogate mother of sorts to him. She is the only mentioned human who lives in Celesteville.
- Truffles - A palace cook.
- André - A Circus elephant who comes traveling through Celesteville along with a circus and later comes to live with Babar. Later on he joins the circus again.
- Marie - Flora's friend who ran off when Flora wanted to keep playing hopscotch instead of skipping.
- Samantha - Thought to be Celeste's friend, Celeste greets her right before her riding accident with Zephir.
- Felipe - Training to be the leading man in Mademoiselle Soretoza's ballet, but quit after being fed up with Soretoza's behavior.
- Ursula - Celeste's friend and a actress in "All Played Out".
- Badou - Babar's grandson and Pom's son.
- Munroe, Zawadi, Jake, Chiku - Badou's close friends. Chiku is also Zephir's daughter.
- Lulu - Babar's granddaughter, Badou's cousin.
- Periwinkinle - The town's doctor; Pom's wife and Badou's mother.
- Crocodylus - Ambassador of the Alligator and Crocodile kingdom.
- Dilash and Tersh - Crocodylus's nephews, brought over to make him seem more important.
- Gallop - A wise old turtle, who lives just outside of Celesteville.
- Miss Strich - The palace teacher, guide for tourists, and also organizes most of Celesteville's events.
- Prospero - A water buffalo and a bush pirate. Officially banned from the kingdom, but still sneaks about.
By Babar's decrees, a number of public institutions, schools, hospitals, parks, museums, libraries, an opera house, and other infrastructures have been built. The kingdom has a rail line, and Celesteville itself is connected to a large body of water (presumably a sea or ocean), making it a port city. Vehicle traffic is common in the kingdom, especially Celesteville, but most of the residents still seem to prefer to travel on foot or by bicycle, since many of the city's amenities seem to be fairly close to each other. The city is wired with electricity and phone service, which are commonplace, and there also appears to be a limited amount of radio and television services. Fresh water and sewage systems are also abundant. The kingdom has a policy of free press
Freedom of the press
Freedom of the press or freedom of the media is the freedom of communication and expression through vehicles including various electronic media and published materials...
, and is serviced in large part by newspaper. Literacy and schooling is high, and it appears that nearly 100 percent of the population is educated. Crime, poverty, and the penal system are rarely featured in the series, and are presumed to be rare in Babar's Kingdom.
Babar and his family, as well as his advisors and some royal staff, live in a large palace in the center of the city. The palace is the kingdom's largest structure, contains several stories, dozens of rooms, and a very large garden complex. It also houses a home for madame, the first building completed in Celesteville
Analysis
The idea of an African going to a Western city and then returning home to pursue an aggressive policy of Westernisation is seen by some as the author's idealized view of colonization. The elephants' happy acceptance of their new culture and roles in society stands in marked contrast to much of the actual French colonial experienceFrench West Africa
French West Africa was a federation of eight French colonial territories in Africa: Mauritania, Senegal, French Sudan , French Guinea , Côte d'Ivoire , Upper Volta , Dahomey and Niger...
. Still, later in the series this aspect of Babar's Kingdom is played down. For instance, the rhinos also seem to have a Western culture, but no backstory is given of Rataxes, who also denies his native roots. In the second movie, this idea was abandoned altogether, resulting in the rather glaring continuity paradox of Babar growing up in anthropomorphic
Anthropomorphism
Anthropomorphism is any attribution of human characteristics to animals, non-living things, phenomena, material states, objects or abstract concepts, such as organizations, governments, spirits or deities. The term was coined in the mid 1700s...
Celesteville, then falling in love with Celeste and making her his queen.