M’Baku reminds me of King Theoden from Lord of the Rings:
Lives around white mountains? Check.
A fair and honourable leader? Check.
Head of a culture which is focused around one animal? Check.
Shelters our heroes and gives them protection? Check.
Shows up with an army at the last minute just to be badass? Check.
(Except – no offense to ya Theoden – M’Baku is better.)
upd8: Having just rewatched The Two Towers I can say with some certainty that M’Baku is at least 1000 times better, as he does not use CHILD SOLDIERS in his army