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The Legend of Zelda is a storied series, spanning tens of games over more than three decades. Across such a vast library, it would be impossible not to have introduced a wide cast of eccentric, varied characters. Zelda has many recognizable races, from the feathered Rito to the rock-eating Goron.

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The Gerudo, meanwhile, are the least prevalent of these mainstay races, despite being one of the most important in the lore. Yet even with such limited appearances, they've made a strong impression, getting their largest development yet in Breath of the Wild. Their history isn't incredibly long, though it is indeed storied.

The Gerudo In Ocarina Of Time

Ocarina of Time Gerudo Valley rope bridge over a deep valley being patrolled by Gerudo Women

The first appearance of the Gerudo Tribe was in Ocarina of Time, and with them came most of their established lore as well.

Until Breath of the Wild, the Gerudo had little development and even fewer in-game appearances. The core of their culture is established here in their first appearance. They are solitary, living a life distinct from many of the other people of Hyrule.

They are shown to be a tall, dark-skinned tribe made up exclusively of women. They are situated deep within the desert of Hyrule in the aptly named Gerudo Valley. Here, they make a living, as the Zelda Encyclopedia puts it, as noble thieves. They rob, yes, but only to support their livelihood.

However, their leader, Nabooru, has been brainwashed by the Gerudo twin witches, Koume and Kotake, to follow the will of Ganondorf. This in effect causes a civil war amongst the Gerudo people, of those who support Ganondorf, and those who oppose him. With Ganondorf's ultimate defeat, Nabooru returns to lead the Gerudo people.

Ganondorf is initially seen visiting Hyrule Castle as a goodwill gesture from the Gerudo people in Ocarina of Time before unveiling his evil desires.

The Gerudo In Majora's Mask

Majora's Mask Great Bay Coast area depicting a beach and a circular building out on stilts in the water

In the sequel to Ocarina of Time, the Gerudo make another appearance, though not as a full tribe.

Instead, in Majora's Mask the Gerudo depicted are pirates, looting the coastline of Termina along the Great Bay. They have much less importance here than they did in Ocarina of Time, though their presence is still relevant to Link's own journey.

The Gerudo are distinct here in how they show the cultural drift between various Gerudo tribes. Those of Gerudo Valley follow more solid traditions and have roots, while those of Termina are living a more carefree, villainous life with no such prophecy of a male king to tie them down.

The Gerudo In Breath Of The Wild

Urbosa, Impa, Link, Zelda, and some Gerudo preparing for battle.

Outside of minor appearances in spin-off media, the Gerudo people do not reappear as a group until Breath of the Wild, where they are given a major spotlight alongside the other races of Hyrule. Deep within the Gerudo Desert, they have set up a permanent settlement known simply as Gerudo Town.

Like in Ocarina of Time, the Gerudo people live separate from the other peoples of Hyrule, being socially isolated outside of their own people. Likewise, they are once again a tribe of exclusively women, this time with a young woman, Riju, governing them as chief.

The prophecy of a male Gerudo born to the otherwise female tribe is still a present history, one that the Gerudo are painfully aware of.

Ganondorf is a distinct part of their history, with their various chiefs, the previous Champion Urbosa amongst them, working tirelessly to prevent his return.

The Gerudo are a proud, self-sufficient people who, in this appearance, more than any other, show how culturally different they are as a result of their isolation.

The Gerudo In Spin-Off Media

Cadence of Hyrule Gerudo Village showing some Gerudo women, Cadence and a music puzzle

Outside of mainline games, the Gerudo only have three major appearances. The first of these is in Four Swords Adventures, where the Gerudo have been exiled from Hyrule as a result of Ganondorf's deeds.

As a result, they have travelled far to the east of Hyrule to untamed deserts and renounced their former king. They become more open to the people of Hyrule in hopes of fostering stronger ties.

In these new lands, there is also a Great Pyramid to which they pay reverence, one that Ganondorf disgraced in his pursuit of power. They still guard this place, only granting Link entry to retrieve the trident within due to the pure nature of his task.

The second, and much briefer appearance of theirs is in Cadence of Hyrule.

What can be considered canon in Zelda is dubious at the best of times, though it is worth looking at Cadence of Hyrule with a pinch of salt since it is a crossover game.

Here, the Gerudo are once again depicted within the Gerudo Desert, though as a more technologically advanced people.

In a unique scenario for them, a woman known as Barriara is leading them as their young prince is not yet of age. Though not explicitly mentioned, this can be assumed to be Ganondorf in his fated appearance. In the future depicted in the DLC, we see that indeed the Gerudo people are following the rule of Ganondorf.

The third is in the Oracle games with the twin witches Kotake and Koume, collectively known as Twinrova. Here, they guide the villainous Veran in a mission to light legendary flames necessary to revive Ganon. As per usual, they are defeated, ultimately sacrificing themselves in a vain attempt to revive Ganon.

The Relevance Of Ganondorf To The Gerudo

Ganondorf in Twilight Princess.

Notable in almost every appearance of the Gerudo people is Ganondorf, the core antagonist of the entire series. Though Ganon and Ganondorf are distinct entities, the latter is the human form of the prior, and is always born of the Gerudo people.

As the prophecy goes, a single male will be born to the Gerudo every 100 years and shall rule as their king.

To this end, we have seen Ganondorf rise to his position of power multiple times, though the Gerudo have denounced him each and every time. In Breath of the Wild especially we see him being actively despised, their chiefs working tirelessly to spot signs of his rebirth.

The consequences of Ganondorf's rule are multiple for the Gerudo people, as his rule is also what lead to their exile from the Lands of Hyrule following the events of Ocarina of Time. And as we see in Breath of the Wild, part of their isolation is almost in part due to the historical rampage unleashed by Ganondorf.

The Unique Culture And Language Of The Gerudo

Link wearing the Gerudo outfit with his hands on his face in Breath of the Wild

As a result of the self-imposed isolation, the Gerudo have developed dramatically differently from the other people of Hyrule. While all races are distinct, they typically have many shared factors as well. For the Gerudo, there are almost none.

For one, they have their own language and script, first detailed in Ocarina of Time and further described in Breath of the Wild. Also as a result of their prophecy of a single male king, they shun all outsiders, though men especially.

In Ocarina of Time, a special pass is required to travel through Gerudo Valley, and Link must dress in Gerudo women's clothing to enter Gerudo Town in Breath of the Wild, despite his otherwise renowned status.

Perhaps most distinctly, and shown most prominently in Breath of the Wild, are the differing religious beliefs. While most of Hyrule practices faith in the Goddess Hylia, the Gerudo do so very rarely, with a single statue of the Goddess hidden away in Gerudo Town.

Instead, they profess belief in the Seven Heroines, depicted in giant statues within the vast desert they call home.

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