Wait, Did Gerudo Town Think Gorons Were… Women? Let’s Unpack This Zelda Mystery
Gerudo Town, a desert area in Hyrule, is off-limits to men or “Voe” in their language. The city is home to fierce female warriors. Link has to cross-dress in a Gerudo Outfit to enter this city. This reveals a quirky detail about the Gerudo Town mystery.
In the original Japanese game, there’s a line that states the Gerudo people might view Gorons as women. Yes, you read that. Those tough, heat-resistant mountain dwellers? The Gerudo may classify them as “Vai,” the term for women. Surprising, right?
The Japanese text subtly suggests, “Apparently Gorons are treated like women by the Gerudo…” This line raises questions about Gerudo culture and gender perception. Picture the talk in Gerudo Town! “Did you see that Goron at the bazaar? Such a strong Vai!”
However, this detail didn’t make it into the English version. The localization team altered this aspect of lore, leaving English players confused and unaware of this cultural quirk. The translation changes make us question what other elements may be hidden in the original Japanese.
To understand why Gorons are seen as women in Gerudo culture, some context is needed. Gerudo’s “no Voe allowed” rule didn’t always exist. Gerudo society wasn’t anti-men. A male was born once every century. This rare male becomes king. Ganondorf was one such example of why men were banned.
Before Ganondorf betrayed everyone, relations with men were tense but not hostile. After Ganondorf’s villainy, Gerudo closed their gates to men. They established Gerudo Town as a fortress for women. Picture a no-boys-allowed place made of sandstone with strong security.
This leads to Link’s detailed plan to enter the town. He must complete the “Forbidden City Entry” Main Quest. The goal is to sneak past guards. His solution? The Gerudo Outfit, bought from Vilia at the Kara Kara Bazaar for 600 Rupees. This outfit is more than functional; it’s a disguise allowing Link to pass as a “Vai.”
The Gerudo are an interesting group. They are almost all female, fierce warriors and skilled thieves. Their population raises biological questions. The game mentions that a male is born every century; some even theorize about their ability for asexual reproduction. Talk about independence!
The Gerudo language underscores important gender distinctions. “Vai” and “Voe” serve as key identifiers in their culture. This shows how embedded gender roles are in their society, making the Japanese line about Gorons even more significant. Are Gorons fitting into a Gerudo concept of femininity? Could their robust builds resonate with Gerudo ideals from a perspective we don’t understand?
Don’t forget about Gorons. These gentle giants are known for strength and heat resistance. They roam Death Mountain, comfortable in lava, wearing a fundoshi. Their rocky forms withstand environments that harm most other races. Maybe this resilience means something different to the Gerudo.
Perhaps they see strength and a nurturing earth-mother vibe in Gorons. Or maybe it’s just a localization quirk adding humor and depth to Hyrule’s story. Either way, imagining Gerudo gossiping about the latest “Vai” Goron sighting is undeniably fun.
