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Game of Thronesintroduces the Dothraki in a scene where their powerful warlord, Khal Drogo, arrives at Magister Illyrio Mopatis' doorstep in Pentos to size up his potential bride, Daenerys Targaryen. Drogo, guarded by his Bloodriders or sworn protectors, takes a good look at Daenerys and turns his horse around without saying a word. By this time, Daenerys' vicious and abusive older brother has intimated his decision to marry her off, in exchange for his Dothraki army to reconquer the Iron Throne.
Daenerys has been told the Dothraki wear their hair in long braids to mark their victories, and the man she is about to marry, Drogo, remains undefeated. The Dothraki appear ferocious from the get-go, and the Westerosi typically use the word"savages"to describe them inGame of Thrones.While they may not be as refined as the fancy Westerosi lords would like them to be, the Dothraki boast a fierce martial culture, paralleled by a few intheGame of Thronesuniverse.
Who Are The Dothraki?
The Dothraki are nomads who frequently pillage villages. They are the inhabitants of the continent of Essos and their tribes, i.e., Khalasars, occupy huge territories across the steppe grasslands of the Dothraki Sea that is situated east of the Free Cities, and north of Slaver’s Bay. The Dothraki Sea is also known as the Great Grass Sea because of its physical geography.Armed with Arakhs, the Dothrakifrequently engage in acts of hostility such as raids and battles against one another. The Dothraki can be best described as horse nomads who depend on barter (gift giving and receiving) in addition to raids and pillaging. Because of their nomadic warring culture, the Dothraki are predisposed to combat. Men in the Dothraki culture play a dominant role, while women have a lower status. The latter are regarded as spoils of war and assigned traditional feminine roles such as caregiving, and childbearing. The men have traditional masculine traits, and as seen inGame of Thrones,they exhibit aggressive behaviors. The Westerosi commonly refer to the Dothraki as horselords.
What Is Vaes Dothrak?
The City Where Shedding Of Blood Is Forbidden
While the Dothraki do not dwell permanently in a place, save for the only inhabited city ofVaes Dothrak in central Essos. The ancient city reflects the culture of the Dothraki people and, interestingly enough, has no walls. The only permanent residents of the city are the Khaleesi widows, who organize themselves into a group called the Dosh Khaleen and employ eunuchs in their service. They are the Dothraki seers who foretell the future and command respect in society. It is a mandatory practice to present the prospective brides of Khals to the Dosh Khaleen for acceptance. Vaes Dothrak translates to City of Riders, and as seen inGame of Thrones,the main entrance to the city, the Horse Gate, is guarded by statues of two large bronze stallions. While it’s forbiddento carry or draw swordsin Vaes Dothrak, killing someone by strangulation or burning is permitted under extraordinary circumstances.
Religion And Religious Beliefs Of The Dothraki
The Dothraki are worshipers of the Horse God or, asGame of Thronesputs it, the Great Stallion. Since they are an equestrian race, it is understandable why they revere a horse deity and believe in the Stallion Who Mounts the World prophecy.Per this prophecy, the Stallion, or a man of the Dothraki will rise to become the Khal of the Khals and unite them into one. InGame of Thronesseason 1, Daenerys Targaryen eats an entire stallion’s heart in Vaes Dothrak while pregnant, and a Dosh Khaleen crone proclaims that she carries this mighty Khal/ Stallion in her womb.
The Dothraki: Representation In Game Of Thrones
The Dothraki appear inGame of Thronesseason 1, episode 1 “Winter Is Coming” and the episode discusses their penchant for violence, and dependence on horses. Drogo leads his Bloodriders, and Viserys directs Daenerys' attention to the Khal’s long hair, saying:
When Dothraki are defeated in combat, they cut off their braids, so the whole world can see their shame. Khal Drogo has never been defeated. He’s a savage, of course, but he’s one of the finest killers alive.
Ultimately,Daenerys is wed to Drogoagainst her will. The wedding is a rather boisterous affair marked by violence, lewd dancing, and sex. Daenerys squirms in her seat as a man finishes off another with his Arakh and Illyrio informs Viserys:
A Dothraki wedding without at least three deaths is deemed a dull affair.
Daenerys gets a silver horse as a gift from the Khal, and their marriage slowly evolves from loveless to passionate. Drogo initially sees Daenerys as a piece of meat, but she asserts her agency and embraces herself as a Khaleesi in time. The Dothraki cannot cross the Narrow Sea because salt water is poisonous to their horses. They do not sail on ships, but for Daenerys, they cross the Narrow Sea to invade Westeros. They take a hit in the Great War and fight the Last War in her name.
InGame of Thronesseason 8, episode 6 “The Iron Throne,” Daenerys styles her hair in elaborate braids to mark her victories and credits the Dothraki for giving herthe Seven Kingdoms.
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones, based on the Song of Ice and Fire book series by George R.R. Martin, tells the sprawling story of warring families in Westeros. This includes the Starks, the Lannisters, the Baratheons, and the Targaryens. Along with human conflicts, Westeros is also threatened by the re-emergence of dragons, and an undead enemy from beyond the Wall.
