View source for Tinga Tinga Tales

{{Short description|Animated children's series}}
{{pp-sock|small=yes}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Tinga Tinga Tales.png
| genre                = [[Children's television series|Children's television]]
| creator              = 
| developer            = 
| writer               = [[Judy Kibinge]]<br>Anna Starkey<br>Claudia Lloyd
| director             = 
| creative_director    = 
| voices               = Eugene Muchiri<br>[[Shaun Parkes]]<br>Johnnie Fiori<br>[[Lenny Henry]]<br>Patrice Naiambana<br>[[Miriam Margolyes]]
| theme_music_composer = [[Eric Wainaina (musician)|Eric Wainaina]]<br>Aaron Rimbui
| opentheme            = "Tinga Tinga Tinga"
| endtheme             = 
| composer             = 
| country              = {{hlist|United Kingdom|Kenya}}
| language             = English, Swahili
| num_seasons          = 2
| num_episodes         = 52<ref name=AfricaReport>{{cite news|last1=Chonghaile|first1=Clar Ni|title=Tinga Tinga puts Kenyan animation on the map|url=http://www.theafricareport.com/Society-and-Culture/tinga-tinga-puts-kenyan-animation-on-the-map.html|access-date=19 August 2014|date=8 July 2010|work=The Africa Report|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819174904/http://www.theafricareport.com/Society-and-Culture/tinga-tinga-puts-kenyan-animation-on-the-map.html|archive-date=19 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
| list_episodes        = 
| executive_producer   = 
| producer             = 
| editor               = 
| location             = 
| cinematography       = 
| camera               = 
| runtime              = 11 minutes
| company              = {{unbulleted list|[[Tiger Aspect|Tiger Aspect Productions]]|Homeboyz Animation|[[DreamWorks Classics|Classic Media]]}}
| network              = [[CBeebies]]
| first_aired          = {{start date|2010|2|15|df=y}}
| last_aired           = {{end date|2011|3|31|df=y}}
| related              = 
}}

'''''Tinga Tinga Tales''''' is an animated children's television series based on [[African folklore|African folk tales]] and aimed generally at 4 to 6-year-olds that ran for two seasons (2011–2012). It was commissioned by the [[BBC]] for its [[CBeebies]] channel. Named after [[Tingatinga (painting)|Tingatinga]] art from [[Tanzania]],<ref name=Guardian2012>{{cite web|last=Gibson|first=Owen|title=BBC to tell children why giraffes have long necks in Tinga Tinga Tales|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/jun/26/tingatinga?gusrc=rss&feed=media|work=The Guardian/|access-date=28 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114022839/http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jun/26/tingatinga|archive-date=14 November 2012|date=26 June 2008}}</ref> ''Tinga Tinga Tales'' was produced in [[Nairobi]], Kenya, by Homeboyz Animation and its music produced by [[Kenya]]n singer-songwriter [[Eric Wainaina (musician)|Eric Wainaina]].<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2010/01_january/14/tinga4.shtml The BBC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204001502/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2010/01_january/14/tinga4.shtml |date=4 December 2017 }} on Tinga Tinga Tales: Music by Eric Wainaina.</ref> The series comprises 55 episodes.

The series was first conceived by Claudia Lloyd, head of the animation division at the London-based [[Tiger Aspect|Tiger Aspect Productions]], while travelling through Africa. The first three episodes premiered on the BBC website in February 2010. The distribution rights were bought by [[Entertainment Rights]], which in 2009 merged with Classic Media. In 2012 Classic Media was acquired by [[DreamWorks Animation]] and renamed [[DreamWorks Classics]]).<ref>[http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article4218119.ece The Times] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612111824/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article4218119.ece |date=12 June 2011 }} on Entertainment Rights</ref>

==Synopsis==
Tinga Tinga Tales is centred around various animated animals, and employs music, dialogue and colourful imagery to tell African folk tales about the origins of animals, each narrated by Red Monkey, and answer questions such as "Why do [[monkey]]s swing in the trees?" and "Why do [[flamingo]]s stand on one leg?"<ref name=ABCnet>{{cite web|title=Tinga Tinga Tales|url=http://www.abc.net.au/abcforkids/shows/s3047437.htm|work=abc.net.au/|access-date=25 January 2014|archive-date=2 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202205007/http://www.abc.net.au/abcforkids/shows/s3047437.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Characters==

===Main characters===
* '''Red Monkey''' (voiced by Eugene Muchiri (UK)/Geoffrey Curtin (US)): Red Monkey is the narrator of all of the episodes.
* '''Elephant''' (voiced by [[Lenny Henry]]): Elephant has a trunk that cleans his friends.
* '''Lion''' (voiced by Patrice Naiambana): Lion is the king of Tinga Tinga.
* '''Tortoise''' (voiced by [[Shaun Parkes]]): Tortoise is the genius.
* '''Hippo''' (voiced by Johnnie Fiori): Hippo lives in a water hole.
* '''Tickbird''' (voiced by [[Tameka Empson]] (UK)/Elizabeth Curtin (US)): Tickbird is the smallest main character.
* '''Orange Monkey''' (voiced by Ben Spybey)
* '''Yellow Monkey''' (voiced by Faraaz Meghani)

===African characters===
* '''Buffalo''' (voiced by Lenny Henry)
* '''Bat''' (voiced by Prince Abura (UK)/[[Jules de Jongh]] (US))
* '''Frog''' (voiced by Wakanyote Njuguna)
* '''Warthog''' (voiced by Kennie Andrews)
* '''Porcupine''' (voiced by Catherine Wambua)
* '''Crocodile''' (voiced by Edward Kwach)
* '''Chameleon''' (voiced by Patrick Kayeki (UK)/[[Kerry Shale]] (US))
* '''Hare''' (voiced by [[Felix Dexter]] (UK)/John Guerrasio (US))
* '''Vulture''' (voiced by [[Felix Dexter]] (UK)/[[Lorelei King]] (US))
* '''Giraffe''' (voiced by [[Miriam Margolyes]])
* '''Lizard''' (voiced by [[Junior Simpson]])
* '''Eagle''' (voiced by [[Ninia Benjamin]])
* '''Mosquito''' (voiced by Ninia Benjamin)
* '''Bushbaby''' (voiced by Bhumi Patel)
* '''Cheetah''' (voiced by Angelina Koinange (UK)/[[Sophie Okonedo]] (US))
* '''Cubs''' (voiced by Tracy Rabar, Mikayla Odera, Cullie Ruto)
* '''Snake''' (voiced by Johnny Daukes (UK)/Dan Russell (US))
* '''Aardvark''' (voiced by Johnny Daukes)
* '''Puffadder''' (voiced by Johnny Daukes)
* '''Jackal''' (voiced by Terence Reis)
* '''Rhino''' (voiced by Terence Reis)
* '''Ants''' (voiced by Terence Reis)
* '''Chief Ant''' (voiced by Peter King)
* '''Lieutenant Ant''' (voiced by [[Eric Wainaina (musician)|Eric Wainaina]])
* '''Wildebeests''' (voiced by Terence Reis)
* '''Zebra''' (voiced by [[Eddie Kadi]] (UK)/Dan Russell (US))
* '''Parrot''' (voiced by Eddie Kadi)
* '''Flamingo''' (voiced by [[Flaminia Cinque]])
* '''Ostrich''' (voiced by [[Janet Suzman]])
* '''Camel''' (voiced by [[Paul Shearer]] (Season 1)/[[Jim Cummings]] (Season 2))
* '''Dragonfly''' (voiced by [[Corine Onyango]])
* '''Leopard''' (voiced by [[Doña Croll|Dona Croll]])
* '''Hyena''' (voiced by [[Stephen K Amos]])
* '''Millipede/Pediless''' (voiced by Stephen K Amos)
* '''Baboon''' (voiced by Anton Rice)
* '''Guinea Fowl''' (voiced by [[Rosemary Leach]])
* '''Meerkat''' (voiced by [[Morwenna Banks]])
* '''Impala''' (voiced by Claudia Lloyd)
* '''Bees''' (voiced by Claudia Lloyd)
* '''Queen Bee''' (voiced by [[Penelope Keith]])
* '''Cricket''' (voiced by [[Derek Griffiths]])
* '''Tinga Tinga Birds''' (voiced by Atemi Oyungu, Muthoni Mburu)

===North American characters===
* '''Skunk''' (voiced by [[Derek Griffiths]])
* '''Caterpillar/Butterfly''' (voiced by [[Akiya Henry]])
* '''Squirrel''' (voiced by [[Miriam Margolyes]])
* '''Woodpecker''' (voiced by Akiya Henry) 
* '''Owl''' (voiced by [[Meera Syal]])
* '''Flea''' (voiced by Akiya Henry)
* '''Crow''' (voiced by [[Achieng Abura]])
* '''Hen''' (voiced by Lindiwe Brown Mkhize)
* '''Spider''' (voiced by [[Jocelyn Jee Esien]])
* '''Hummingbird''' (voiced by [[Maureen Lipman]])
* '''Mole''' (voiced by [[Sophie Thompson]])

===Asian characters===
* '''Peacock''' (voiced by [[Cyril Nri]])

===Ocean characters===
* '''Whale''' (voiced by [[Ruth Madoc]])
* '''Crab'''  (voiced by Terence Reis)
* '''Fish''' (voiced by Claudia Lloyd)

===Mysterious characters===
* '''Majitu the Giant''' (voiced by [[Colin McFarlane]])
* '''The Sleeping Stones''' (voiced by [[Nonso Anozie]])
* '''The Wind''' (voiced by Terence Reis)

==Episodes==
===Series overview===
{{Series overview
| color1       = #FF0000
| link1        = #Series 1 (2010)
| episodes1    = 26
| start1       = {{Start date|2010|2|15|df=yes}}
| end1         = {{End date|2010|4|29|df=yes}}

| color2       = #A300FF
| link2        = #Series 2 (2010–11)
| episodes2    = 26
| start2       = {{Start date|2010|11|22|df=yes}}
| end2         = {{End date|2011|3|31|df=yes}}
}}

===Pilot (2008)===
* 0. Tinga Tinga Tales (2008)

===Series 1 (2010)===
* 1.  Why [[Elephant]] Has a Trunk (15 February 2010)
* 2.  Why [[Snake]] Has No Legs (16 February 2010)
* 3.  Why [[Hippopotamus|Hippo]] Has No Hair (17 February 2010)
* 4.  Why [[Tortoise]] Has a Broken Shell (18 February 2010)
* 5.  Why [[Chicken|Hen]] Pecks the Ground (19 February 2010)
* 6.  Why [[Bat]] Hangs Upside-down (22 February 2010)
* 7.  Why [[Warthog]] is So Ugly (23 February 2010)
* 8.  Why [[Owl]]'s Head Turns All the Way Round (24 February 2010)
* 9.  Why [[Monkey]]s Swing in the Trees (25 February 2010)
* 10. Why [[Tickbird]] Sits on Hippo's Back (26 February 2010)
* 11. Why [[Frog]] Croaks (3 March 2010)
* 12. Why [[Spider]] Has a Tiny Waist (4 March 2010)
* 13. Why [[Vulture]] is Bald (5 March 2010)
* 14. Why [[Giraffe]] Has a Long Neck (6 March 2010)
* 15. Why [[Porcupine]] Has Quills (7 March 2010)
* 16. Why [[Lizard]] Hides Under Rocks (10 March 2010)
* 17. Why [[Crocodile]] Has a Bumpy Back (11 March 2010)
* 18. Why [[Jackal]] Howls at the Moon (12 March 2010)
* 19. Why [[Hare]] Hops (13 March 2010)
* 20. Why [[Mosquito]] Buzzes (16 March 2010)
* 21. Why [[Rhinoceros|Rhino]] Charges (19 April 2010)
* 22. Why [[Caterpillar]] is Never in a Hurry (20 April 2010)
* 23. Why [[Lion]] Roars (23 April 2010)
* 24. Why [[Zebra]] Has Stripes (24 April 2010)
* 25. Why [[Flamingo]] Stands on One Leg (28 April 2010)
* 26. Why [[Woodpecker]] Pecks (29 April 2010)

===Series 2 (2010–11)===
* 27. Why [[Ostrich]] Sticks Her Head in the Ground (22 November 2010)
* 28. Why [[Camel]] Has a Hump (23 November 2010)
* 29. Why [[Wildebeest]] Stampede (24 November 2010)
* 30. Why [[Chameleon]] Changes Colour (25 November 2010)
* 31. Why [[Leopard]] Has Spots (26 November 2010)
* 32. Why [[Hyena]] Has Short Back Legs (29 November 2010)
* 33. Why [[Ant]]s Work Together (30 November 2010)
* 34. Why [[Flea]] Jumps (1 December 2010)
* 35. Why [[Hummingbird]] Hums (2 December 2010)
* 36. Why [[Baboon]] Has a Bare Bottom (3 December 2010)
* 37. Why [[Bee]]s Sting (6 December 2010)
* 38. Why [[Peafowl|Peacock]] Struts (7 December 2010)
* 39. Why [[Aardvark]] Has a Sticky Tongue (8 December 2010)
* 40. Why [[Whale]] Spouts (9 December 2010)
* 41. Why [[Parrot]] Can't Keep a Secret (10 December 2010)
* 42. Why [[Galago|Bushbaby]] Has Big Eyes (21 March 2011)
* 43. Why [[Guineafowl|Guinea Fowl]] Has Dots (22 March 2011)
* 44. Why [[African buffalo|Buffalo]] Has Horns (23 March 2011)
* 45. Why [[Puff adder|Puffadder]] Sheds His Skin (24 March 2011)
* 46. Why [[Eagle]] Rules the Skies (25 March 2011)
* 47. Why [[Skunk]] Smells (26 March 2011)
* 48. Why [[Cricket (insect)|Cricket]] Chirrups (27 March 2011)
* 49. Why [[Mole (animal)|Mole]] Lives Underground (28 March 2011)
* 50. Why [[Squirrel]] Gathers Nuts (29 March 2011)
* 51. Why [[Meerkat]] is Always on the Lookout (30 March 2011)
* 52. Why [[Cheetah]] Has Tears (31 March 2011)

==Home media==
The series was released on DVD in the United Kingdom by [[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment|Universal Pictures UK]] and [[DreamWorks Classics|Classic Media]].

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{BBC programme}}
* {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20111129042916/http://www.tingatingatales.com/}} (archived)
* [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4851757/ Miscellaneous crew]

[[Category:2010 animated television series debuts]]
[[Category:2010 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:2010 Kenyan television series debuts]]
[[Category:2011 British television series endings]]
[[Category:2011 Kenyan television series endings]]
[[Category:2010s British children's television series]]
[[Category:2010s Kenyan television series]]
[[Category:BBC children's television shows]]
[[Category:British children's animated adventure television series]]
[[Category:Kenyan animated television series]]
[[Category:British flash animated television series]]
[[Category:British television shows based on children's books]]
[[Category:Animated television series about elephants]]
[[Category:Animated television series about lions]]
[[Category:Animated television series about monkeys]]
[[Category:Animated television series about turtles]]
[[Category:2010s British animated television series]]
[[Category:Television series by Tiger Aspect Productions]]
[[Category:Television series by Endemol]]
[[Category:DreamWorks Classics]]
[[Category:CBeebies]]
[[Category:British preschool education television series]]
[[Category:Animated preschool education television series]]
[[Category:2010s preschool education television series]]
[[Category:BBC animated television series]]