Tiki Tak Tribe

"Tell those Tikis to keep it down! I'm an old ape, and I need my rest."

- Cranky Kong

The Tiki Tak Tribe, shortly referred to as Tikis, consists of the main antagonists in Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D. Most of the Tiki Tak Tribe resemble various musical instruments, with many of the lower-ranking Tikis resembling a drum. This also applies to the Tiki leaders who possess the various bosses. The particular instrument the Tiki resembles also plays in the music of the boss it possesses. 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.

Screaming Pillars, members of the Tiki Tak Tribe, are notable for appearing separately from the rest of their tribe in several games, such as Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. They also appear alongside Tiki Goons in the Mario Kart series course, DK Jungle.

History
In the opening of the Donkey Kong Country Returns, the Tiki Tak Tribe are seen emerging from rocks that are spewed out of the volcano on Donkey Kong Island when the giant Tiki Tong Tower rises out of it, causing it to erupt. Moments after landing, they hypnotize the animals of the island, who proceed to steal Donkey Kong's Banana Hoard. Kalimba then drops into Donkey Kong's house, but he is unaffected by their hypnotic powers. DK punches Kalimba out of his tree hut, promptly beginning his quest against the tikis. He and Diddy Kong traverse through the various regions of the island, while the tikis' forces impede their progress. At the end of each land, the Kongs go up against one of the tiki operatives, who possess the powerful natives to combat them. In the Caves, the tikis employed Mole Miners to transport the stolen bananas, though the Kongs cut off the supply run. In the Factory, the tikis really need the bananas' mush to create more tikis, hypnotizing Colonel Pluck into using his Stompybot 3000 to do so. Eventually, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong cut off the production. With nearly all the tikis' assets frozen, they venture through the Volcano and at the Tiki Tong's citadel, where the leader himself awaited. Using the last of the bananas, the Banana Hoard, he turns his lieutenants into a pair of hands to battle the Kongs in a final battle. Donkey Kong emerges victorious, but Tiki Tong's defeat causes an explosion that launches the ape high into space. However, DK uses all his strength to knock the moon out of its orbit onto the tower. The moon's pressure causes the tower, and presumably all the tikis, to be sealed back into the volcano while releasing the stolen bananas.

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 s or drums and Tiki Buzzes that resemble birds with wooden wings to their sides. The main servants of Tiki Tong are notable to resemble musical instruments, and most of them have a pair of skinny, twig-like arms.

Special powers and abilities
The Tikis are shown to have many abilities. They are shown to be quite agile, for masks. Some are able to float freely in the air, while others, like the Tiki Buzzes, have the ability to fly by fluttering their wings. Other Tikis have the ability to resist the physical attacks of Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong, such as the Tiki Doom and Tiki Tank. The Tikis are also known to use fire. Despite apparently being made from wood, most Tikis are resistant to be engulfed by fire and some use this element against the Kongs to attack and defend. Tiki Torches are an example. Tiki Tong's main servants possess the ability to hypnotize other animals and control them. However, it seems the ability doesn't work on all the animals, as Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong are not affected by their powers as seen in the intro of the game. Although they count with these powers and abilities, all the members of the Tiki Tak Tribe need bananas because these fruits are the Tikis' main source of power. As seen in Donkey Kong Island's factory, a Tiki can come to life when a mashed-up banana is incorporated into its body. This is further demonstrated with the final battle with Tiki Tong, where they merge with Tiki Tong after he turns the bananas into banana juice and transform into his hands, making him stronger for his battle against the Kongs.

High ranking

 * Tiki Tong (leader)
 * Kalimba
 * Maraca Gang
 * Gong-Oh
 * Banjo Bottom
 * Wacky Pipes
 * Xylobone
 * Cordian

Minions

 * Tiki Boing
 * Tiki Bomber
 * Tiki Buzz
 * Tiki Doom
 * Tiki Goon
 * Tiki Pilot
 * Tiki Pop
 * Tiki Seeker
 * Tiki Tank
 * Tiki Torch
 * Tiki Tork
 * Tiki Zing
 * Screaming Pillar

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U trophies
Red indicates exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS version. Blue indicates exclusive to the Wii U version.

Trivia

 * In Treacherous Mansion of Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, Strong Greenies have spears with a Kalimba mask on them.