The Arumbayas

The Arumbayas are the overarching protagonists of the Tintin comic book The Broken Ear and major characters in Tintin and the Picaros.
They are a pre-Colombian tribe living in the jungles of South America. People thought that they were a savage tribe and even feared them. But when Tintin and Snowy were venturing in the San Theodoran jungle while investigating the theft of an Arumbayan idol, they were revealed as being relatively civil and not savage as people thought of them.
== Appearance ==
The Arumbayas are depicted as black-haired black people wearing either yellow or red clothing. The chief of the Arumbayas, Avakuki, is shown to have a black and red color scheme for his clothing as well as a bandana on his head.
== Personality ==
According to local San Theodorans, they are rumored to be a savage tribe. However, in reality, they are very civil and friendly towards them, as shown when Tintin encountered them in the jungle.
== Biography ==
=== Background ===
Many years before the events of the comic, the Arumbayas were collecting gemstones, including the Heart of the Jungle, which is believed to have magical healing powers. In the 19th century, a European explorer named A.J. Walker and his guide Lopez met the tribe in the jungle of South America, where they managed to gain their trust and showed them the Heart of the Jungle. However, Lopez betrays Walker and steals the diamond. The Arumbayas then give chase to Walker's party, but they managed to escape and Lopez conceals the diamond inside the Idol of the Broken Ear, later abandoning it at the hands of Walker, who brings it to Europe. Several years later, they met antoher explorer named Ridgewell, who later lived with them for years, seeking to learn from them. He was fascinated by their society and even teached them the game of golf as well as warning them of the perils of alcohol consumption.
=== The Broken Ear ===
They are first seen kidnapping Snowy so they can take his heart out to cure a sick member of the tribe, only to be stopped by adart. They realize that the dart was fired by Ridgewell, a British explorer who was living with them for years and who Tintin met for the first time earlier. Afterwards, Tintin meets the chief of the Arumbayas, who explains the whole story on how the Idol of the Broken Ear was created as well as their encounter with A.J. Walker and Lopez many years ago. They are not seen again afterwards.
=== Tintin and the Picaros ===
The Arumbayas are seen again in this comic, where they aid General Alcazar's forces, Los Picaros, against General Tapioca's dictatorship. Their fate after Alcazar's coup is unknown.
== Trivia ==
* The reason for their bad reputation may be due to their near-neighbors and rivals, the Rumbabas, who are shown to behead any strangers passing their way, shrink their heads and put them on display.
Category:TV Show Heroes
Category:Comic Book Heroes
Category:Organizations
Category:Cartoon Heroes
Category:False Antagonist
Category:Honest
Category:Heroes from the Past
Category:Protectors