The Library -> Theories -> Akira ->
The Mysterious Sheikah
On my quest to destroy as many of your predispositions of the Legend of Zelda series as is Hyrulianly possible, I am brought to the mysterious Sheikah. One question that not enough people have asked is: Are the Sheikah a race, an insignificant tribe, or a race that is organized as a tribe? Gee, I wonder why nobody asked. Seriously, though, too many people assume that the Sheikah are a race, and assume can make an "*Navi*" of "u" and "me".
Now, what kind of qualities would establish the sheikah as a race? To make it simple, unique looks and/or abilities would be good indicators. The only known Sheikah we have seen in detail is Impa. Disregarding clothing, Impa's main features are her gray hair and red eyes. If we are to assume that Zelda disguised herslef as a true representation of the the Sheikah (which is a pretty safe assumption), then we can compare her to Impa. "Sheik" had blond hair and red eyes. Zelda did not have red eyes. So Zelda must have gone to the extra trouble of attaining such a feature because all Sheikah have red eyes. Unlike Hylians. So the Sheikah are a race.
However, this leaves us with the question of how Zelda disguised herself. When she reveals her true self to Link, there is a blinding, magical flash of light and then *POOF* Zelda! Therefore, by whatever magic she possesses (whether by natural, "Hylian magic" or by the Triforce of Wisdom), she transformed/disguised herself as Sheik. Not by putting on a costume, dopes.
We've answered one question, but we still have one more. Were (?are?) the Sheikah organized as one tribe? Dictionary.com defines a tribe as "A unit of sociopolitical organization consisting of a number of families, clans, or other groups who share a common ancestry and culture and among whom leadership is typically neither formalized nor permanent." To prove that the Sheikah were at one time a great tribe, I shall proceed to give a history of the Sheikah. Study well, for this will be a backbone for the future organization of other theories. Remember, though, this is almost all speculation, observation, and fill-in-the canyon. Just a theory, is all...:
H.Y. = Hyrulean Year
- H.Y. 0 - Hyrule and all its plentiful life forms are created.
- H.Y. 1 - Loose groups of people begin to form in an effort to survive.
- H.Y. 5 - More distinct groups, most with just one race in them, have formed. These could perhaps be referred to as the beginnings of clans.
- H.Y. 10 - A tribe that will eventually become the only tribe of the Sheikah has formed.
- H.Y. 15 - Villages have sprung up around Hyrule, all controlled by different groups.
- H.Y. 20 - Near their home of Kakariko village, the main body of the Sheikah erect a simple, rough building--one that will become far more elaborate in the future--and call it the Shadow Temple.
- H.Y. 30 - Fueled by the desire for more land and supplies, the main body of the Sheikah begin to raid nearby villages.
- H.Y. 35 - The main body of the Sheikah switch from raiding nearby villages to conquering them. This leads to the creation of one tribe that contains all the members of the Sheikah race.
- H.Y. 50 - By now the Sheikah are one of two tribes controlling the main portion of Hyrule. They, along with the Hylia, are the main players in the event that is about to change Hyrule forever. Also, it's hard to call them a "tribe" anymore, as they control a vast amount of Hyrule and function more like an empire.
- H.Y. 51-66: First Great War
- Causes: In order to understand this important event, one must first understand the emotions and desires of each of the great races of Hyrule.
The Gerudo were in the desert west, building temples and what not, thinking little of war or conquest. But dissent was growing...
The Kokiri were in their forest, and it is safe to say that they would never desire war.
The Gorons were in their caverns delving and eating and buildng, with little want for the plains of Hyrule.
The Zora were at the time a large empire, and would readily join a war, but wouldn't start one easily.
The Sheikah, however, had conquered all other tribes on the plains of Hyrule except the Hylia (a different race than the Sheikah, remember). Now a shaky neutrality between the two was about to erupt into all-out war. - Events: This war was mainly one between the Hylia and the Sheikah, but the Zora joined in as well, seemingly on their own side. During this time the Shadow Temple as we know it was built by the Sheikah, along with (real stretch here) the Forest Temple. Despite their vast numbers and great military might, the Sheikah lost this war and the Hylia prevailed over both the Sheikah and the Zora.
- Effects: The Zora dream of conquest was crushed and their numbers vastly reduced. They abandoned the Water Temple and split into four different factions. (More on this in another theory.) The Hylia "united" Hyrule and the Hyrulian Royal Family was born. The faction of Zora that took up their abode in Zora's Domain still had a king, but were forced into an alliance with the now Royal Family.
The Sheikah, on the other hand, had been devastated by the war. While the Hylia lost about 1/3 of their population, the Sheikah lost more that 1/2 of theirs. They were quarantined in Kakariko Village and a select number of them had to serve in the Hylian Army.
- Causes: In order to understand this important event, one must first understand the emotions and desires of each of the great races of Hyrule.
- H.Y. 66-70 - This was a time of new beginnings when alliances and other aforementioned effects of the First Great War were put into effect.
- H.Y. 71-170: First Golden Age - During this period of peace, the Sheikah, along with the Hylia, went from being a warrior people to a cultured civilization. Also, a true friendship and kinship formed between the two groups. Ironic, ne? However, they did not live together because of the Kakariko Quarantine Act (a nice, random name).
Many of the Sheikah in the Hylian Army were not becoming peaceful, however. Their natural talent with fighting was being honed and they were quickly moving up through the ranks. Eventually, a select few would become the chief protectors of the Royal Family. To do this, though, they slipped into shadows and darkness to become the quiet, deadly, and wise Sheikah that we know (and love!) them as.
Impa was also born during this time period, around H.Y. 115. - H.Y. 170-180: Second Great War
- Causes: As you may be able to guess, this is the war that takes place right before OoT. Once again, I'll give you a quick briefing on the goals of the different races of Hyrule:
The Kokiri, as usual, are peaceful and ignorant of the outside world.
The Zora have hidden themselves within their domain, showing themselves only to messengers of the King.
The Gorons have lost much of their former power and numbers after awakening Volvagia. And with rumors of a possible war circulating around Hyrule, they readily seek an alliance with the Royal Family, hoping to avoid any largescale conflicts.
The Gerudo, you should remember, did not invlove themselves in the First Great War. During the First Golden Age, however, dissent began to grow. The harsh desert climate led them to envy the fair plains and peace that were Hyrule. To make matters worse, one person in particular maximized this dissent. You guessed it, the Gerudo prince, Ganondorf, the body containing the spirit of Ganon. He was like a normal, dirty politician, promising the greatness of the Gerudo when he became king; and he did become the King of Theives; how, I know not exactly. And he had promised his people war...
The Hylia and the Sheikah were not interested in starting any wars, but they would defend their lands. - Events: The Gerudo invaded Hyrule and easily swept the whole of Hyrule Field. The Hylian Army was made up largely of trained Sheikah. However, because of the need for more troops, many Sheikah from Kakariko Village were forced to fight as well. Because they were untrained, these Sheikah were slaughtered like sheep.
Also, because Kakariko Village was relatively undefended, the Gerudo invaded the poor village and killed every resident could find; man women, and child. This is often referred to as the Kakariko Massacre (another random name).
Now the main body of the ancient Sheikah race was the elite force that protected the Royal Family. However, in a last-ditch effort to defeat the Gerudo, this force was sent out into open battle. Despite being outnumbered, the Sheikah's far superior fighting skills allowed them to throw back the Gerudo force. After the Sheikah had inflicted heavy casualties and wounded Ganondorf himself, the end was near.
Ganondorf sensed that the battle was lost, but already knew how to make a comeback.This plan required easy access to the Royal Family, though, which meant the elimination of the Sheikah.
So Ganondorf stepped forth, breathing heavily and with a grin of malice. He lifted up his hand and with a flash of light, all the Sheikah were dead. This battle was fought before the gates of Hyrule Castle Town, and was known as the Battle for the Gates.
Just after the blinding flash of light, said gate opened and the entire remaining Hylian Army charged forth. At this, Ganondorf let out a maniacal laugh and vanished, leaving the Gerudo for dead.
Soon after the Battle for the Gates, Ganondorf appeared at the walls of Hyrule Castle Town, the shield of peace in hand. He bowed before the Hyrule King and pledged his allegiance. With the poison of his words he recieved pardon for his actions. Much more poison was to come... - Effects: As far as the Sheikah were concerned, the Second Great War was the end for them. Think of it this way: the First Great War brings the Sheikah to their knees and the Second Great War takes off their head.
- Causes: As you may be able to guess, this is the war that takes place right before OoT. Once again, I'll give you a quick briefing on the goals of the different races of Hyrule:
- H.Y. 182 - Impa survived the war, as we know. Both Zelda and Link were born in 177. (I won $100 with that number at a raffle, I just remembered. Strange.) Because Impa was Zelda's caretaker, she did not fight in any battles after the year 177, including the Battle for the Gates. Making her the last (known) living Sheikah. Anyway, Impa recieved control of Kakariko Village in H.Y. 182. As it was completely devoid of life, she opened it to all peoples.
- H.Y. 187 - Impa meets Link before fleeing from Hyrule Castle with Zelda, Ganondorf being right at their heels.
- H.Y. 187-194 - The seven long years during which Impa educated Zelda in ancient Sheikah arts to make her "Sheik, Last of the Sheikah".
- H.Y. 194(-195+) - Impa goes to the Shadow Temple to recapture the evil from the bottom of the well (Bongo Bongo) and is only seen again as the Sage of Shadow. I personally believe that she died when she became a Sage (see "Sages" theory), but that's just an opinion. Either way, she stays as a Sage for an unknown amount of time.
Here I shall end the history of the Sheikah. For unless there are hidden pools of Sheikah hiding somewhere in Hyrule, there can be no new generations. A tragic history it is, indeed. The strongest oft are persecuted the most. Don't lose hope, though. You may still see a Shadow flitting through the trees...(Think TP!)