matope means mud in swahili ( his coloration)

Mate of natsu and father of hakari ( both of which are mapleshades chracters), he is a very caring indivual who deeply loves his family , 

unlike many prideland lions he is not bothered by natsu's heritage, because of his own dark color. he was a rogue who came into the pridelands because of a famine in his own land where he fell in love with natsu and they had a young cub named hakari. 

built very large like mufasa, his daughter hakari did not recieve any of his traits, though he is haooy for this, he thinks that her color is beautiful just like her mother and often calls her binti which means daughter in swahili, 

he doesnt want to see anyone hurt  even if he disnt like them, he wishes only to protect his family, and he is an excellent leader. 

he is a good bit older than natsu but not so old that it is creepy, 

he has blue eyes. 

he can be a little overly cautious but he has good intentions