Harambe
Harambe was a gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo, shot by staff in 2016 after a child fell into his enclosure.
His death sparked intense debate about zoo safety and animal rights, then became an internet phenomenon. "Harambe" evolved into a meme expressing mock-solemn mourning, ironic reverence, or absurdist humor: dicks out for Harambe.
The phrase memorializes him while satirizing performative grief online.
Adult male gorilla
- Cincinnati ZooOhio city's animal park
- endangeredAt risk of extinction
- primateHigher mammal order member
- captivityState of being confined
enclosure · ape · gorilla · wildlife · zoology · mammal · habitat · Africa
Spreading quickly online
- internet cultureOnline community behaviors and trends
- tributeOffering of respect
- ironicExpressing contrary meaning
- 2016Year ending Obama's presidency
social media · satire · memorial · petition · RIP · posthumous · parody · shitposting
Discharging a weapon
- childPerson before puberty
- moatDefensive water ditch
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- emergency responseOrganized action during crises
tranquilizer · controversy · animal rights · witness · footage · Cincinnati · tragedy · protocol
Thing preserving remembrance
- statueThree-dimensional sculpted likeness
- candlelight vigilSolemn nighttime tribute event
- documentaryFactual film about reality
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
symbol · controversy · debate · public memory · anniversary · namesake · remembrance · media coverage
silverback
Adult male gorilla
- Cincinnati ZooOhio city's animal park
- endangeredAt risk of extinction
- primateHigher mammal order member
captivity · enclosure · ape · gorilla · wildlife · zoology · mammal · habitat · Africa · Cameroon
viral
Spreading quickly online
- internet cultureOnline community behaviors and trends
- tributeOffering of respect
- ironicExpressing contrary meaning
2016 · social media · satire · memorial · petition · RIP · posthumous · parody · shitposting · Reddit
shooting
Discharging a weapon
emergency response · tranquilizer · controversy · animal rights · witness · footage · Cincinnati · tragedy · protocol · public outcry
memorial
Thing preserving remembrance
- statueThree-dimensional sculpted likeness
- candlelight vigilSolemn nighttime tribute event
- documentaryFactual film about reality
awareness · symbol · controversy · debate · public memory · anniversary · namesake · remembrance · media coverage · activism
- 2016Brexit, Trump election, US election, Pokemon Go, Leicester City
- Memesdoge, rickrolling, Nyan Cat, lolcat, meme culture
- viral trendsmeme, memes, challenges, dance challenge, going viral
- African apesgorilla, chimpanzee, bonobo, mountain gorilla, lowland gorilla
HarambeJack Hanna
Harambehuman exceptionalism