Tiki Tak Tribe
- "Tiki" redirects here. For the character from the Fire Emblem series who appears as an Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, see Assist Trophy § Tiki.
- “Tell those Tikis to keep it down! I'm an old ape, and I need my rest.”
- —Cranky Kong, Donkey Kong Country Returns
The Tiki Tak Tribe, shortly referred to as Tikis, is an organization led by Tiki Tong, which serves the main antagonistic faction in Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D. All of them are made up of wood. Similar to the Kremling Krew from previous Donkey Kong Country series titles, there are higher and lower-ranked members of the Tiki Tak Tribe. The higher-rank members are capable of hypnotizing other characters, such as other animals and a boss in each world. The lower-rank members make up the recurring enemies throughout the levels. The Tiki Tak Tribe has a wooden mask for their emblem, as shown on the Snaps' ship's sails and flags and in the image gallery icon.
Both the higher and lower-rank tikis resemble a musical instrument; all of the lower-ranked ones resemble a drum. The particular instrument that a higher ranked tiki resembles is played in the background music of the associated boss fight.
Traditionally, Tikis are associated with Polynesian culture, however the Tiki Tak Tribe seems to draw more influence from African tribal culture instead. This is because of the patterns and vibrant colors each Tiki has.
History
Donkey Kong Country Returns / Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D
In the opening of the Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, when the giant Tiki Tong Tower rises out from the volcano of Donkey Kong Island, it erupts and the tikis emerge from the rocks blasted out of the volcano. Moments later, the seven high-ranked tikis hypnotize the animal inhabitants and control them to steal the Banana Hoard supply. One of the commanders named Kalimba goes into Donkey Kong's Treehouse and unsuccessfully tries to hypnotize Donkey Kong. Donkey Kong punches Kalimba out of his house and begins his quest to get back his Banana Hoard and battle against the tikis.
At the end of every world, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong go up against a higher-ranked tiki, who hypnotize a boss to fight both of them. For example, in the Cave world, the tikis employed Mole Miners to transport the stolen bananas. In the Factory world, it is revealed that the bananas are used to bring the tikis to life. After the Kongs defeat each boss, each tiki dizzily re-emerges from behind the boss. Donkey Kong goes up to the tiki and punches it repeatedly to send it flying away.
After a long journey, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong reach the end of the eighth world, Volcano, where they bump into all seven high-ranked tikis again and the Tiki Tak Tribe's leader, Tiki Tong. Using the last of the Banana Hoard supply, Tiki Tong turns it into banana juice and spews it over his lieutenants. This transforms them into a large pair of hands, which Tiki Tong uses during the final battle against the Kongs.
The Kongs manage to defeat Tiki Tong, who explodes into a huge pile of bananas and launches Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong into space. However, Donkey Kong uses his entire strength to knock the moon out of its orbit and land it on Tiki Tong Tower. The moon's pressure crushes the tower, which releases the stolen bananas and sends the moon flying back into orbit. As the bananas rain from the sky, the animals are freed from their hypnosis. With their leader and his lieutenants defeated, the reign of the Tiki Tak Tribe is over and Donkey Kong Island returns to normal, marking the end of the Kongs' adventure.
Super Smash Bros. series
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, Tiki Buzzes appear as enemies in Smash Run. In addition, a Tiki Buzz, as well as Kalimba, appear as trophies.
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Screaming Pillars appear as stage hazards in Jungle Hijinxs. In addition, Krazy Kalimba and Tiki Tong appear as trophies, both of which can be purchased at the Trophy Shop.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
The nine high-ranking members of the Tiki Tak Tribe (excluding Tiki Tong) appear in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a Novice-class Neutral-type spirit that allows three support slots. When used, the spirit grants weakness to fire and explosion attacks. In World of Light, it is found on the Light Realm map; its puppet fighters are four differently-colored Diddy Kongs on the Kongo Falls stage.
Individual appearances and cameos
In Treacherous Mansion of Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, Strong Greenies have spears with a Kalimba mask on them.
Screaming Pillars are notable for appearing separately from the rest of their tribe in several games, such as Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Mario Golf: World Tour, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and in the December 12, 2018 update of Mario Kart Arcade GP DX. They also appear alongside Tiki Goons in the Mario Kart series course, DK Jungle.
List of members
High-ranking
| Artwork | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Kalimba | Kalimba is the first high-ranked tiki whom Donkey Kong encounters, and it is painted light blue on one half, red on the other half, and wears a headband. Kalimba is featured during the Jungle world. During the opening sequence, Kalimba goes into DK's Tree House, attempting to hypnotize Donkey Kong. This was unsuccessful because at the start of the first level, Jungle Hijinxs, Donkey Kong repeatedly punches Kalimba and then kicks him out of his tree house. Kalimba later appears during the world's boss level, Mugly's Mound, where he hypnotizes Mugly to fight Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. |
|
Maraca Gang[1] | The Maraca Gang are a trio featured in the Beach world. As their name suggests, the Maraca Gang are shaped like the maraca instrument, and each of them have differently colored feathers on their head: red, purple, and green. During the boss level, Pinchin' Pirates, the Maraca Gang hypnotize the Scurvy Crew to fight the Kongs. |
|
Gong-Oh[1][2] | Gong-Oh is shaped similarly to a gong, and its gong piece shows an emblem of a sun. It is featured in the Ruins world, more specifically during the boss level, Ruined Roost, where it hypnotizes Stu to fight the Kongs. |
|
Banjo Bottom[1][3] | Banjo Bottom, as his name suggests, is shaped like a banjo. It is featured in the Cave world, specifically during the boss level, The Mole Train. Before the boss fight begins, Banjo Bottom hypnotizes Mole Miner Max to engage in a battle against Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. |
|
Wacky Pipes[1] | Wacky Pipes is the fifth high-ranked tiki encountered by the Kongs. It is featured during the Forest world, more specifically in the boss level, Mangoruby Run, where it hypnotizes Mangoruby to fight the Kongs. |
|
Xylobone[1][4] | Xylobone is shaped like a xylophone and it appears Cliff world. It appears in the boss level, Thugly's Highrise, where it hypnotizes Thugly to battle the Kongs. |
|
Cordian[1] | Cordian is the seventh and final normal high-ranked tiki that the Kongs encounter. It is featured in the Factory world during the boss level, Feather Fiend, where it hypnotizes Colonel Pluck to fight the Kongs. |
|
Tiki Tong | The leader of the Tiki Tak Tribe and the final boss of the game. Prior to the boss battle, the seven high-ranked tikis feed lots of bananas to Tiki Tong. He spews the juice from the bananas on the tikis, who turn into Tiki Tong's own pair of hands. |
Minions
Unused fire-based Tikis
An unused large, drum-like Tiki and two torch-like Tikis
Physical appearance
Most of the Tiki Tak Tribe resemble floating wooden tiki masks, and many are adorned with colored feathers. However, they come in a variety of colors and shapes, such as the Tiki Goons that resemble bongo drums or drums and Tiki Buzzes that resemble birds with wooden wings to their sides. The main servants of Tiki Tong have a pair of skinny, twig-like arms.
Powers and abilities
The Tikis have a variety of abilities. The higher ranked members are agile, have the ability to float in midair, and can hypnotize other creatures. Their hypnosis does not work on all characters, as Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong are mysteriously unaffected by it. The lower rank members have more distinctive traits from each other. For instance, the Tiki Buzzes can fly, Flaming Tiki Buzzes and Tiki Torches can produce fire (even though they are made up of wood), and Tiki Tanks wear a steel helmet to protect them from direct attacks.
The Tikis use bananas as their primary source of power. In the Factory world, it is shown that a Tiki can come to life when a mashed-up banana is incorporated into its body. This is further demonstrated in the final battle against Tiki Tong, where he spits juice on the seven high-ranked tikis to turn them into his own pair of hands.
Profiles
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U trophies
| Name | 3DS image | Wii U image | Appears in | American English description | British English description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiki Buzz | 
|
N/A | N/A | This member of the Tiki Tak Tribe appears in Donkey Kong Country Returns. It'd be really tempting to see what kind of sound that drum-shaped head of his would make. In Smash Run, they do a dive-bomb attack if a fighter passes below. You can bounce off their heads to boost your own jump! | A drum-shaped, bird-like creature from the Tiki Tak Tribe. In Smash Run, they float around in the air, and if they end up above you, they'll suddenly drop down, right on your head. Jump on them instead, though, and you can bounce off and go flying through the air. So think twice before you tell these guys to buzz off! |
| Kalimba Krazy Kalimba |
|
|
Wii Donkey Kong Country Returns (11/2010) 3DS Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D (05/2013) |
The Tiki Tak Tribe is an evil group of instrumental Tikis from Donkey Kong Country Returns. You first meet Kalimba as he hypnotizes animals with his music. The top of Kalimba Tiki looks a bit like his namesake, an African instrument that is also called a thumb piano. | The Tiki Tak Tribe are the enemies shaped like musical instruments in Donkey Kong Country Returns. When Kalimba first turns up, he hypnotises the animals with his music. Incidentally, the top of his head looks just like a kalimba, an African instrument. Never seen one? Look it up! |
| Tiki Tong | N/A | 
|
Wii Donkey Kong Country Returns (11/2010) 3DS Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D (05/2013) |
In the scorching hot lava of the Volcano area, Tiki Tong waits for Donkey Kong to arrive. It may look like he's enjoying a nice banana snack, but really he's just preparing his next attack: spitting banana juice on the Tikis! That's gross. Gotta get over how nasty that is, though, as the soaked Tikis join with Tiki Tong to attick- I mean attack! | In the lava-filled Volcano region awaits Tiki Tong, the leader of the Tiki Tak Tribe. He liquefies a whole pile of bananas into goo, and then - instead of eating it - spits it all over his minions and fuses them to him! Ew! The Kongs'll have to hold off on complaining about how disgusting it all is - taking Tiki Tong out takes prioritiki. |
Red indicates exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS version.
Blue indicates exclusive to the Wii U version.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate spirit
| Name | Image | Series / game | Type | Class | Strength / effect(s) | How to obtain | Spirit battle | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opponent(s) | Battle conditions | Stage | Song | |||||||
| Tiki Tak Tribe | 
|
Donkey Kong Series | Primary (3) | Novice | Neutral Fire Weakness |
World of Light (Light Realm); Spirit Board | Diddy Kong ×4 |
|
Kongo Falls | Jungle Hijinxs |
Theme
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ティキ族[?] Tiki-zoku |
Tiki Tribe | |
| German | Stamm der Tiki Taks[?] | Tribe of the Tiki Taks | |
| Italian | Tribù Tiki Tak[?] | Tiki Tak Tribe | |
| Russian | Племя Тики-так[?] Plemya Tiki-tak |
Tiki Tak Tribe |
