| “ | Hey, have you seen your old friends? None of them recognized you with your grown-up body, did they? That's because the Kokiri never grow up! Even after seven years, they're still kids! | „ |
| ~ Deku Tree Sprout about the Kokiri |
The Kokiri Tribe are a tribe of young forest dwellers who reside in Kokiri Forest, who first appeared in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Link was taken in by the Great Deku Tree after his mother died from mortal wounds to save him from the widespread violence of the Hyrulean Civil War.
Physiology[]
The Kokiri never age, as shown when Link becomes an adult and visits Kokiri Forest, they remain children and as the Deku Tree Sprout states, Link was the only one who aged because he was a Hylian at birth, not a Kokiri. Because of this, none of the Kokiri, minus Saria, recognized him. The Kokiri are extremely reluctant to leave the forest as the Great Deku Tree told them that if a Kokiri leaves the forest, the departing Kokiri will die. Additionally, outsiders who enter the forest and become lost would undergo transformation into either a Skull Kid in the case of a child, or a Stalfos in the case of an adult.
The Kokiri are known for having red hair and wearing green Kokiri Tunics and brown boots with the boys wearing hats for headgear and the girls wearing headbands. Saria and Fado differentiate from the others entirely due to their hair being green and blonde respectively.
History[]
Ocarina of Time[]
The Kokiri were once Hylians who lived in major settlements, but as Hyrule begins to industrialize, they left their homes and began to reside in the forest to be closer to nature, where the Great Deku Tree takes them in and grants them Fairy companions, which is a sign that they are a true Kokiri, they would eventually become the Kokiri.
Link would be taken in by the Great Deku Tree after his mother passes away due to him having a huge destiny ahead of him. Once Navi became his companion, the Kokiri (except Mido, remains spiteful towards him) congratulate him for having a fairy. Link was summoned to break the curse placed on the Great Deku Tree by Ganondor, who wanted the Kokiri Emerald from him, which is required to open the Door of Time to the Sacred Realm, and once he defeats Queen Gohma, it was already too late as the Great Deku Tree still died. The Great Deku Tree's status as the guardian of the forest, along with his death would eventually have consequences as it rendered Kokiri Forest unprotected from the ensuing monster infestation seven years later, confining the residents in their homes where they lived in fear for their lives. Saria would head into the Forest Temple due to hearing a voice there and has Mido guard one of the paths and not allow anyone to pass unless that person is a friend of hers. Once Link defeats Phantom Ganon, the source of the curse placed upon the Forest Temple, Saria awakens as the Sage of Forest. The Deku Tree Sprout was also able to flourish which puts an end to the monster infestation, allowing the Kokiri to live in peace.
Once Ganondorf is defeated by Link and Princess Zelda, the Kokiri can be seen celebrating in Lon Lon Ranch with the rest of the tribes across Hyrule.
The Wind Waker[]
After the Great Flood, only known Kokiri in existance was Fado, the wind sage who maintains the power of the Master Sword, but Ganondorf had Molgera kill Fado to ensure that the Master Sword loses its power, while the rest of the Kokiri would undergo a transformation into wooden beings known as Koroks, who left the Forbidden Woods and resided in Forest Haven with the Great Deku Tree. Makar would later succeed Fado as the Wind Sage.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- During Breath of the Wild's development, a Kokiri Champion was considered, and he was depicted wielding a wipe as a weapon, before they settled with a Rito Champion instead.
