Humba Wumba, a character in the Banjo-Kazooie series, is a Native American shaman who first appeared in Banjo-Tooie. In the game, she introduced herself as Mumbo Jumbo’s rival, taking up his previous role as the shaman who transformed the protagonists into different creatures, while the shaman Mumbo performed a more active role by using his powerful spells around the world to help Banjo and kazooie during their adventures. Throughout the game, Humba Wumba would reside in her wigwam until the duo required her magic. In order for her magic to work a Glowbo, a magical creature found throughout the world, was required. Once found players would bring it to Humba Wumba and throw it into the pool of pink colored water in the middle of the wigwam, and jump in to transform. Once the spell was completed, a Glowbo was no longer required for further transformations in a world. Interestingly, Humba Wumba made an Easter Egg appearance prior to her in-game debut. While she does not appear in the first game, her name is mentioned as an incorrect answer to one of the questions Gruntilda asks players in Grunty’s Furnace Fun. During the ending scene of Banjo-Tooie, Humba is seen playing kickball with Gruntilda’s skull, ultimately deciding to bury the hatchet and declare a truce with Mumbo Jumbo. Humba Wumba is known for her strong personality and willingness to speak her mind. Also, if her rival Mumbo Jumbo ever came into her wigwam uninvited, she would not hesitate to tell him to leave. Her unique brand of magic and rivalry with Mumbo Jumbo make her a memorable character in the franchise. A beta screenshot of Banjo-Tooie in Nintendo Power Volume 134 depicts Humba Wumba wearing a red dress, and interestingly, the Mumbo Token is visible in the bottom right corner of the image. This suggests that at one point in the game’s development, she might have accepted Mumbo Tokens instead of Glowbos for her magic transformations. Also, the screenshot in question can be found in the Worker’s Quarters of the world Grunty Industries, albeit with some elements missing.
» Humba Wumba in Banjo-Kazooie Nuts & Bolts
Humba Wumba, a fan-favorite character from the Banjo-Kazooie series, makes her appearance in Banjo-Kazooie Nuts & Bolts. In this game, the shaman takes on a new role, due to the absence of the need for transformations. Her primary job is to sell pre-made vehicle blueprints and parts to players. Additionally, she can be found frequently in various worlds, providing the protagonists with challenges. She appears in different worlds, including Nutty Acres, Logbox 720, Terrarium of Terror, and Spiral Mountain. In Showdown Town, Humba Wumba is situated near the Jiggy-Bank and sells some vehicle blueprints and parts. Her appearance is distinct, sporting a red feather on her head and wearing a red shirt with yellow shorts held by a fancy black belt and yellow rubber boots. She reveals that she requires money for the magic recession fund and reminds Banjo that she will not transform him into a T-Rex. In the world Nutty Acres, she acts as Mumbo’s wife and is one of the only hard-working individuals at the farm, always picking up the slack for others. She appears in Act two, five and six where she tasks the protagonists with pushing flaming boulders into the water to reduce air pollution, deflating Mr. Patch, carrying heavy coconuts to Mumbo for approval, and delivering them to the docks. In the second world Logbox 720, she is a member of an all-girl gamer tribe. Now she wears a sleek black outfit and a green visor, always challenging the protagonists to races and seeing if they can beat her tribe. Although she is competitive, she remains gracious in defeat. Humba Wumba appears in Act one, two, four, five and six, where she asks the protagonists to race some other workers, race her in her plane, test a race course with raised checkpoints, and race against other workers. In the fifth world Terrarium of Terror, Humba becomes a conservationist who is trying to save the flora from extinction. She wears a pink floral pattern top and beige shorts, passionately protecting the flowers and becoming mad whenever they are in danger. She appears in Act one, two, three and four, where she requires the heroes to drive her ecologically friendly vehicle to observe the flowers, push some trash from the 1980s out of the airlock, and defeat a gang of wild Gruntbots who have invaded the terrarium. Finally, in the end of the game, she appears at Banjo’s House to congratulate the protagonists on winning the game and getting to stay in Spiral Mountain. While her role in Banjo-Kazooie Nuts & Bolts differs significantly from her previous roles, she remains an engaging and memorable character.
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QUOTES
✤ Mumbo not welcome. Leave now or be in big heap trouble!
✤ Not true. Mumbo amateur. Wumba best. You bring Glowbo magic creatures here!
✤ Shut up! Or Wumba turn stupid shaman into a frog …
✤ You have Glowbo. Want to give to Humba?
✤ Me Humba Wumba, best magic person on island.
