HYRULE’S RICH CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN THE LEGEND OF ZELDA FRANCHISE

by Lorraine Acevedo Franqui

One of the most identifying aspects of the franchise since the release of Ocarina of Time in 1998 is the vast world the player can explore within the constraints of the game’s linear gameplay, and the areas devoted to specific communities with complex cultures.

Real-life cultural influences in the series are noticeable everywhere, from the mythology that reigns in the realm to names, events, tendencies, situations and even items, but where the diversity is at its best is in the complex cultural background given to most of the tribes and communities in the series, making Hyrule a patchwork quilt of multiculturalism

While the standard cultural background for Hylians throughout the series has been a generic Medieval European one, the tribes scattered across Hyrule have flourished in diversity and rich complexity. The games where this emphasis on multiculturalism can be appreciated best are Ocarina of Time and The Wind Waker.

These communities have languages and beliefs of their own separate from the traditional and central Hylian ones. They have customs, clothing styles, pursuits, foods, weapons and laws as well as traditions and a history all of their own. The degree of details given to most of these communities, while not all-encompassing, is certainly extensive and far more meticulous than the great majority of other mainstream franchises.

More important still is the fact that their cultures are relevant to the characterization of those crucial to the storyline. Each culture gets a moment to shine into the story and, in Ocarina of Time in particular, Link must embrace some aspect of the culture and learn from the wisdom of this community, not only to win their trust, but also to proceed successfully in his quest and to evolve as the Hero.

In the Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, the land of Hyrule has been flooded not unlike the events mentioned in the bible and other popular mythology.

Link’s horse, Epona, is named after the Celtic Goddess of fertility who was also a protector of horses and other equine animals

Goron

Clearly influenced by African tribes, the Gorons are a rock-eating tribe that thrives on hard soil, arid landscapes and hot weather. They are peaceful, cheerful and bound by ties of brotherhood, but wary of strangers. They place a lot of importance on physical strength and they find entertainment in explosive, energetic activities like wrestling, rolling down the mountains and dancing, but a few members also engage in other pursuits like archeology, industrialization and the development of their own specialized Goron steel. In Ocarina of Time, they dwell in Death Mountain, within caves full of wall paintings similar to those inked on their skins as part of tribe tradition.