Gerudo Desert

Lore & Background

The Gerudo are an isolationist race living in the western desert of Hyrule, typically depicted with dark skin and red hair. They are taller and more muscular than Hylians, often working as thieves in earlier games before evolving into masters of trade in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Their society is matriarchal; women hold all leadership roles while men are strictly barred from their towns due to a belief that male interaction leads to disaster. This rule was enforced by a thunderstorm hovering over Gerudo Fortress, preventing entry until Link disguised himself as a woman in Breath of the Wild. The race worships distinct deities: the Goddess of the Sand in Ocarina of Time and the Seven Heroines in Breath of the Wild, rarely focusing on the Goddess Hylia. Their written language uses 26 characters similar to the Latin alphabet.

In Their Own Story

In Ocarina of Time (1998), the Gerudo were the newest nation accepted into Hyrule after their king, Ganondorf, feigned peace before attempting to take over the kingdom. They arrested carpenters who tried to enter their territory until Link defeated their warriors and earned passage. Nabooru led a faction opposing Ganondorf during this time. By Majora's Mask, the Gerudo had become pirates with no prophecy of a male king. In Four Swords Adventures, they were exiled east due to Ganondorf's deeds but renounced him. Centuries later in Breath of the Wild, child ruler Riju governed while Ganondorf remained dead; Urbosa, their Champion, sacrificed herself to prevent his return as Calamity Ganon. In Tears of the Kingdom, Ganondorf was resurrected, forcing the Gerudo underground against sandstorms and Gibdo until Link helped defeat Queen Gibdo, allowing them to return to the surface.

Reader's Guide

Travelers must navigate extreme heat and strict entry rules in the Gerudo Desert. In Breath of the Wild, access to Gerudo Town requires Link to wear women's clothing due to the ban on men. The region features a permanent thunderstorm over the fortress in some eras, which can be dangerous but also provides lightning-based challenges. Players should seek cooling gear or shade to survive the arid climate. Key locations include the Gerudo Fortress and the settlement of Gerudo Town. Historically, the desert has been a place of conflict, with Link needing to rescue stolen eggs from pirate Gerudo in Majora's Mask or sneak into underground bunkers during sandstorms in Tears of the Kingdom. The area offers unique trade opportunities as the Gerudo have shifted from thievery to commerce.

Did You Know?

• The Gerudo written language consists of exactly 26 characters, similar to the Latin alphabet.
• In Ocarina of Time, the Gerudo worship the Goddess of the Sand instead of Din, Nayru, and Farore.
• A male Gerudo is born only once every 100 years by tradition to become their king.
• The Gerudo language uses 'vai' for women and 'voe' for men.
• In Tears of the Kingdom, Link was given special exception to traverse Gerudo Town as a man after defeating Queen Gibdo.