This what if raised by parent meme template originally belongs to KeybladeMagicDan.
I hope you all had a great Fathers’ Day, everybody, because I want to discuss what I believe is a great father-son relationship which needs more love, appreciation, and popularity. I am talking about Chief Keewazi and his adopted son, Tarzan.
With Disney’s The Legend of Tarzan approaching its twentieth anniversary since it first aired on UPN and then the Disney Channel, one relationship I have always endeavored to explore is the father-son relationship between Chief Keewazi and Tarzan. Throughout my many years as a fan of this show and my experience as a content creator, I have always been intrigued by what potential Basuli’s and Tarzan’s fraternal relationship could bear if Tarzan were adopted by the Waziri Tribe. In fact, I could write over ten-thousand words ad nauseam of why I love Basuli’s and Tarzan’s relationship as brothers, where my AU headcanon is concerned. However, what are two powerful brothers without a formidable and strict yet kind and loving father to raise them to be the best versions of themselves? That is where Chief Keewazi makes his entrance to be the best father Basuli and, especially, Tarzan could ever have.
If Keewazi were to raise Tarzan as his own son, he would end up with two heirs to attain the honor of being chief of the Waziri Tribe and he would display as much kindness, compassion, warmth, wisdom and unconditional love to Tarzan as his younger son as he does towards his older son, Basuli. He would even recognize the difference in how his two sons are in terms of physical prowess and sheer perseverance. Seven, if you not only count Basuli and Tarzan, but also Fernando, Init-Init, Bernardo Carpio, George of the Jungle, and Maugli. Out of all his seven sons, it would seem that Basuli and Tarzan would be the most favorable in terms of the fulfillment of their duties and how incredibly caring and loving they are. Going into their differences, Basuli may have the muscles and warlike mindset, but Tarzan is the complete package of muscles, athleticism, and feral animal prowess. Basuli’s and Tarzan’s physical prowess and fierceness would be exceptional assets to Keewazi whenever enemies invade the Waziri Tribe, thus reducing their enemies to shreds. Beyond the guts and glory, Keewazi would always ensure an animosity-free, tight-knit family.
Keewazi would also serve as a source of comfort for Tarzan, for he will always remind him that his differences make him unique, courageous, and strong both externally and internally. For instance, should some bullies discriminate Tarzan for his skin color, superhuman abilities, and not fitting the Waziri image, Keewazi would display his authority and admonish those bullies with a swing of staff and remind them that any harm done to his son is also harm done to himself and his family. Keewazi would thereby demonstrate how protective he is as a father, especially with Basuli contributing as Tarzan’s older brother. Furthermore, Keewazi is never the type of father to play favorites because he unconditionally loves his sons with all of his heart and would encourage them to be the best versions of themselves.
Keewazi as Tarzan’s father would signify a lot to Tarzan because he could truly grow in strength, compassion, wisdom, fierceness, courage, determination, and independence. Where the family dynamics are concerned, Keewazi would be the stern yet caring father, Basuli would be the dutiful, courageous, brave, charming older brother, and Tarzan would be the wild, fun-loving, rambunctious, fierce, tough younger brother who enjoys wrestling matches with Basuli and would even have posedowns with him as well as with Fernando, Init-Init, Bernardo, George, and Maugli. Since Basuli is the dutiful older brother who constantly observes decorum, despite the mischief he gets himself with Tarzan, he would always address Keewazi as “father”. Tarzan, who is a little bit more lax with the formalities, would always call Keewazi “dad”, considering that he is the fun-loving yet fierce younger brother. As a whole, Keewazi’s family would radiate with affection and unity complete with massive group hugs courtesy of his most beloved sons.
Tarzan may be a super fierce, absolutely formidable, and wildly ferocious warrior, but he is also a loving and dutiful son to Keewazi and a caring and attentive younger brother to Basuli. Family really does form the bedrock of his life, thus demonstrating fierce loyalty and indubitable love to the people who have given him a reason to keep on living and keep on fighting. No other role model comes close than Keewazi and even his grandfathers, Kobe and Usula. Keewazi would always remind Basuli and Tarzan that being a warrior is not just about muscles, fierceness, and showing how physically great they are, but it is also a question of loyalty to the family, duty to the Waziri Tribe, and protecting the disenfranchised from harm and oppression. In that sense, physical strength and unconditional loyalty effectively work hand-in-hand to create a well-protected community thriving on tradition and the love they have for nature.
Keewazi’s and Tarzan’s bond as father and son deserves a whole lot more love and discovery. The plausibility of Keewazi raising Tarzan to be his younger son is extremely high and beneficial for his whole family, given the high chance of familial unity. At the end of the day, Keewazi would not only do an exceptional job in raising Tarzan to grow as a great warrior, but also an equally great person.
I hope you all enjoyed this look into how I could see Keewazi and Tarzan bonding as father and son and I will see you in the next submission. Take care, stay safe, and remember to keep showing love to your dad, everybody.
Keewazi and Tarzan from The Legend of Tarzan belong to Edgar Rice Burroughs and Disney.
