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.

Tiki Tak Tribe
The Tiki Tak Tribe's commanders and its leader, Tiki Tong
First appearance	Donkey Kong Country Returns (2010)
Latest appearance	WarioWare: Get It Together! (2021)
Leader	Tiki Tong
Members Tiki Tong Tower Kalimba Maraca Gang Gong-Oh Banjo Bottom Wacky Pipes Xylobone Cordian
Member species Screaming Pillar Tiki Boing Tiki Buzz Tiki Goon Tiki Pilot Tiki Pop Tiki Seeker Tiki Tank Tiki Torch Tiki Zing

“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 is an organization of demons known as Tikis led by Tiki Tong, who appear as the main antagonists in Donkey Kong Country Returns and its 3DS port Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D. Similar to the Kremling Krew from previous Donkey Kong Country installments, 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 Snippys' ship's sails and their flags, bicorne and 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, though the Tiki Tak Tribe seems to draw more influence from African tribal culture instead, which is evident by the patterns and vibrant colors each Tiki has.

History

Donkey Kong Country Returns / Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D

In the opening cutscene of Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, when the Tiki Tong Tower emerges out from the volcano of Donkey Kong Island, the forces of the Tiki Tak Tribe are released from the rocks blasted out of it. Moments later, the seven high-ranked tikis hypnotize the animal inhabitants and control them to steal every banana in sight, even from the banana hoard. Kalimba, one of the tribe's commanders, encounters Donkey Kong and attempts to hypnotize him, but to no avail. Donkey Kong then punches Kalimba out of his house and begins his quest to reclaim his bananas and save the island from the new threat.

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 tiki commander Banjo Bottom employed Mole Miners to transport the stolen bananas and possessed their leader Mole Miner Max. In the Factory world, it is revealed that the bananas are being used to mass-produce tikis. After the Kongs defeat each boss, each tiki dizzily re-emerges from the unconscious boss. Donkey Kong can go up to the tiki and punch it repeatedly to send it flying away or simply let it escape after it recovers.

After a long journey, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong reach the end of the eighth world, Volcano, where they reencounter the Tiki Tak Tribe's commanders and meet their leader, Tiki Tong. Using the last of the stolen bananas, Tiki Tong grinds them 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, launching them into space. However, Donkey Kong uses his entire strength to knock the moon out of its orbit and land it on the Tiki Tong Tower (if the player is playing as Diddy Kong, he instead futilely tries to flee the gravitational pull of the moon only to bump his head on it, accidentally knocking it out of orbit and doing the above in the process). The moon's pressure crushes the tower and destroys it, releasing 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 Tiki Tak Tribe's reign over the island is over, 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

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the commanders of the Tiki Tak Tribe (excluding Tiki Tong) appear collectively as a Novice-class Neutral-type primary spirit with 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

A tiki mask resembling Kalimba on a Strong Greenie's spear

In Treacherous Mansion of Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, Strong Greenies wield spears with a tiki mask resembling Kalimba on them and regular Greenies can appear with them in ScareScraper.

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	Level appearance
	Kalimba	Kalimba is the first high-ranked tiki whom Donkey Kong encounters. Based on the mbira instrument, he is painted light blue on one half, red on the other and has a headband made of ropes. Kalimba is featured in the Jungle world. During the opening sequence, Kalimba encounters Donkey Kong and attempts to hypnotize him. This proves to be unsuccessful as Donkey Kong would proceed to repeatedly punch Kalimba and then send him flying 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.	Mugly's Mound
	Maraca Gang	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, lavender and green. During the boss level, Pinchin' Pirates, the Maraca Gang hypnotize the Scurvy Crew to fight the Kongs.	Pinchin' Pirates
	Gong-Oh	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.	Ruined Roost
	Banjo Bottom	Banjo Bottom, as his name suggests, is shaped like a banjo. He 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.	The Mole Train
	Wacky Pipes	Wacky Pipes is the fifth high-ranked tiki encountered by the Kongs. It is based on the pan flute instrument and featured in the Forest world, more specifically in the boss level, Mangoruby Run, where it hypnotizes Mangoruby to fight the Kongs.	Mangoruby Run
	Xylobone	Xylobone is shaped like a xylophone and appears in the Cliff world. It appears in the boss level, Thugly's Highrise, hypnotizing Thugly to battle the Kongs.	Thugly's Highrise
	Cordian	Cordian is the seventh and final normal high-ranked tiki that the Kongs encounter. It is based on the accordian instrument and featured in the Factory world in the boss level, Feather Fiend, where it hypnotizes Colonel Pluck to fight the Kongs.	Feather Fiend
	Tiki Tong	The leader of the Tiki Tak Tribe and the final boss of the game. Prior to the boss battle, his lieutenants assist him in grinding the remainder of the bananas they stole into juice as he spews it on the tikis, turning them into Tiki Tong's own pair of hands.	Tiki Tong Terror

Minions

Tiki Tak Tribe
Image	Name	Description	First level appearance	Last level appearance
	Tiki Goon	Grunt-level enemies, slowly moving back and forth on platforms. Although harmful if simply touched from one side, as they bite, Tiki Goons can be destroyed using any form of attack, such as stomping, rolling, barrel throwing, or Rambi's strike.	Jungle Hijinxs	Red Red Rising
	Tiki Doom	A larger variant of the Tiki Goon. While its behavior remains unchanged, slowly traversing patches of ground, it can be taken out with three stomps, as opposed to one. A single roll attack is also decisive.	Tree Top Bop	Golden Temple
	Screaming Pillar	A stone totem, initially found sleeping. As soon as it hears the Kongs, it wakes up and screams, toppling on the path. Screaming Pillars can crush the protagonists, as well as any other creature standing right below them. However, after collapsing on the ground, they become harmless and can be jumped on and cracked open with a ground pound.	Jungle Hijinxs	Five Monkey Trial
	Screaming Pillar (big)	A colossal Screaming Pillar. It ploughs down into the abyss, destroying the Kongs in one hit.	Canopy Cannons	Canopy Cannons
	Tiki Buzz	An airborne Tiki that flies on predetermined paths, ranging from straight lines to circles. Its lateral and bottom sides are dangerous to touch, but it can be defeated using any attack technique.	Crazy Cart	Golden Temple
	Tiki Tork	A gargantuan equivalent of Tiki Buzz. Three stomps on its body are necessary to defeat it. Alternatively, the Kongs can use any other attack technique once to achieve the same result.	Prehistoric Path	Golden Temple
	Flaming Tiki Buzz	A blackened Tiki Buzz set on fire. While burning, it can only be defeated with a thrown barrel; touching one in this state is harmful. However, a blow will dissolve its flames, leaving it dizzy and as vulnerable as a standard Tiki Buzz.	Crazy Cart	Red Red Rising
	Tiki Torch	An enemy that is constantly covered in red flames, walking back and forth on the ground. It is dangerous to make contact with a Tiki Torch shrouded in fire, and while in this state, it can only be attacked from distance with a barrel. The Kongs are able to put out the fire engulfing a Tiki Torch using a short blow. While extinguished, Tiki Torches become confused and open to any kind of attack.	Peaceful Pier	Red Red Rising
	Tiki Bomber	A variant of the Tiki Torch that emits blue flames. Apart from being harmful to touch whatsoever while flaming, it can attack by shooting small fireballs from their lateral sides. Blue Tiki Bombers discharge fireballs in straight lines, while brown Tiki Bombers, which are normally found on elevated platforms, shoot them in arc-shaped lines. A blow will extinguish them, allowing the Kongs to defeat them just as Tiki Torches.	Wonky Waterway	Furious Fire
	Tiki Boing	A Tiki with a coil-wound body. It moves with rhythmical bounces, enabling it to attack the Kongs in the process. Tiki Boings can be defeated using any form of attack.	Jagged Jewels	Tippy Shippy
	Tiki Tank	A sturdy Tiki reinforced with stone. Roll attacks and normal stomps do not have effect on it. Instead, the Kongs can pound the ground near a Tiki Tank to flip it over, uncovering its bottom side and allowing them to destroy the enemy with a stomp. Alternatively, a Tiki Tank can be immediately defeated with a barrel or with Rambi.	Button Bash	Red Red Rising
	Tiki Zing	A rotating disc with razors. Some Tiki Zings can be found floating in one place, other fly on set patterns, tracing straight lines and circles in the air, and might group themselves in miscellaneous formations, as seen in Clingy Swingy. They are harmful and invulnerable to many of the Kongs' attacks, including barrel tossing, but Rambi is able to break them.	King of Cling	Five Monkey Trial
	Tiki Zing (big)	An uncommon, larger variation of Tiki Zings. It moves considerably slower and is just as harmful. However, these Tiki Zings cannot be defeated by any means of attack.	Platform Panic	Blast & Bounce
	Fireball	A Tiki Zing variant shrouded in flames. It spins and rotates in circles, being harmful even for Rambi. Fireballs are indestructible.	Precarious Plateau	Precarious Plateau
	Giga Goro Ball	A large, spherical Tiki that tries to crush the Kongs by rolling over them if they are too slow. Giga Goro Ball is indestructible.	Crumble Canyon	Crumble Canyon
	Tiki Pop	A Tiki with a bowl-shaped head, carrying a flashing bomb. Tiki Bombs walk slowly in one direction on the ground; they will self-destruct moments after spawning from Stu's cauldron. They will explode earlier if the Kongs make contact with them, and their combustion is dangerous.	Ruined Roost	Ruined Roost
	Tiki Seeker	Small Tikis peeking from black portals in the background. They cannot be interacted with, but will produce short blades that can hurt the Kongs. They launch the said blades towards the current position of Donkey Kong, before retreating into the portal.	Golden Temple	Golden Temple
	Tiki Pilot	The Tiki responsible for transporting part of Donkey Kong's banana hoard using his airship and a rope net. Tiki Pilot is briefly seen in the first level, Jungle Hijinxs.	Jungle Hijinxs	Jungle Hijinxs

Unused

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  Unused fire-based Tikis

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  Unused large, drum-like Tiki and torch-like Tikis

Physical appearance

A Tiki's empty body

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 pairs 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 some kind of life source. In the Factory world, it is shown that a Tiki can come to life when mashed-up bananas are incorporated into its body. This is further demonstrated in the final battle against Tiki Tong, where he spews juice grinded from the remainder of the stolen bananas 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	Take your strongest team into this no-frills battle	Kongo Falls	Jungle Hijinxs

Gallery

Group

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  The Tiki Tak Tribe's commanders

Emblem

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  Snippys' ship

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  Flag

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  Bicorne

Miscellaneous

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  Pillars

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  Totems

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  Production

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  Temple

Theme

Tiki Tak Tribe

File infoMedia:Tiki Tak Tribe music.oga ​

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Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	ティキ族 Tiki-zoku	Tiki Tribe
Chinese	提克族 Tíkè Zú	Tiki Tribe
German	Tiki Tak-Stamm	Tiki Tak's Tribe
Italian	Tribù Tiki Tak	Tiki Tak Tribe
Portuguese (NOE)	Tiki Tak Tribe	Tiki Tak Tribe
Russian	Племя Тики-так Plemya Tiki-tak	Tiki Tak Tribe
Spanish (NOA)	Tribu Tiki Tak	Tiki Tak Tribe
Spanish (NOE)	Tribu Tiki Tak	Tiki Tak tribe