The Enigmatic Tears of Zelda: Unveiling the Secrets of the Lost Ancient Tribe

Highlights

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom explores the diverse inhabitants of Hyrule, including the Hylians, Sheikah, Gerudo tribe, Zora, Gorons, and more.

The presence of the Barbarian Set in Tears of the Kingdom implies the presence of a previously forgotten tribe in Hyrule, potentially different from the Zonai tribe originally believed. The origins of the Barbarian Armor continue to puzzle scholars, with various theories proposing its connection to the Ancient Ones, Sheikah, or an extinct tribe of Humans or Hylians.

The land of Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is incredibly diverse, inhabited by various races such as the Hylians, Sheikah, Gerudo tribe, Zora, Goron rock people, and more. Additionally, there are numerous spirit creatures and races unique to other games. Amongst these, the Zonai, an ancient civilization predating recorded history, holds a prominent place in Tears of the Kingdom.

Nevertheless, there is a tribe that seems to have vanished from historical records. While exploring Hyrule in Tears of the Kingdom, players may come across the Barbarian Armor Set. At first glance, it may be assumed that this armor belonged to an ancient Zonai warrior. However, there lies a significant issue with this interpretation, suggesting the possible existence of a forgotten tribe in the history of Hyrule.

Tears of the Kingdom's Forgotten Tribe

The Barbarian Set is comprised of the Armor, Helm, and Leg Wraps. In the game Breath of the Wild, players can find these pieces in Shrines, while Tears of the Kingdom players will come across the scattered Barbarian Set in secret caves throughout Hyrule. The Helmet appears to be crafted from the skull of a Lynel or a similar creature. The rest of the outfit is made of fur, leather, and bone, with leather straps and bits of rope holding everything together. The Armor also contains magical body paint that enhances the wearer's combat strength.

According to the item descriptions of the Helm, Armor, and Leg Wraps, the Barbarian Set was created by a warlike tribe that inhabited the Faron region in southeastern Hyrule. This is further supported by the presence of significant Zonai ruins in Faron. However, the Breath of the Wild Sourcebook presents the origin of the Armor as an in-universe rumor and questions whether it truly comes from the Zonai. It is worth noting that the term "barbarian" seems inappropriate to describe the technologically advanced Zonai. Moreover, the appearance of Zonai clothing does not closely resemble the Barbarian Set.

One potential explanation is that the barbarian armor originates from a distant era in the Zonai's history, prior to their advancement in technology. However, this theory does have its shortcomings. The Zonai were believed to be divine beings descended from gods, with even Ganondorf, an adversary of Princess Zelda, acknowledging their godlike presence to early Hylians. Thus, this explanation fails to align with the notion of them being barbaric.

Certainly, there are alternative theories regarding the identity of the ancient Barbarian Tribe. Some enthusiasts propose that the Barbarian Armor was crafted by a civilization known as the Ancient Ones. This lost society is credited with creating the iconic Mask featured in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask and was recognized for their penchant for warfare. Given the shamanistic appearance of the Mask, it wouldn't be out of place in a technologically underdeveloped society, possibly linked to the creators of the Barbarian Armor.

Some believe that the Armor may have originated from the Sheikah. This is because players acquire the Barbarian Armor pieces from Sheikah monks in Breath of the Wild. Although the ancient Sheikah were quite advanced and not considered barbaric like the Zonai, it is possible that the Armor dates back to an earlier period in Sheikah history. However, it is strange that the item descriptions in Breath of the Wild do not provide clear information about the Armor's origins, considering the Sheikah's significance in the game.

Another theory suggests that the Armor belonged to a forgotten tribe of Humans or Hylians. While Humans are not present in Tears of the Kingdom, they have appeared in other Zelda games. If the incarnation of Hyrule in this game was inhabited by warlike Humans who were either killed off or driven out, this would explain their absence. Both races share similar physical qualities in terms of height and build, which could explain why the Armor fits a Hylian like Link. Unfortunately, there is not enough information available to provide a definite answer.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available on Nintendo Switch.