Legend of Zelda Origin of Bongo Bongo

[Kholdstare]

NOTE: This is purely my speculation, and not official or anything.

So, I was playing Ocarina of Time (my favorite Zelda) the other day, and was pondering the origins of all of the bosses. I know that Gohma was a parasite created by Ganon, King Dodongo was, well, the king of the Dodongos, Barinade was another parasite created by Ganon, Phantom Ganon was a creation of Ganon's, Volvalgia was some kind of dragon that was revived by Ganon (relation to Stallord, maybe? or that one dragon boss from Zelda II?), Morpha was probably just a corruption created by Ganon's evil, and Twinrova was Ganon's mother. The game never really gives us much information on Bongo Bongo, however, except that it was sealed away by the Sheikah.

First, let's look at the Well. The game states that the man who invented the Lens of Truth had a house where the well is now. It doesn't tell us why his house was destroyed or why the well was built where it was. The bottom of the well appears to be some kind of torture chamber or jail, noted by the cells. Link also has to fight Dead Hand, which guards the Lens of Truth... this might be the man, but not likely (read on). It was more than likely one of his victims. Given the undead theme, torture devices, hidden walls, Dead Hand, and jail cells, this was most likely a horror chamber created by the man who made the Lens of Truth, and he was a murderer. He was probably executed by the Sheikah and sealed away in his own prison...

When Link becomes an adult, he visits Kakariko Village and meets Sheik there. Bongo Bongo escapes from the well, where he was sealed by the Sheikah. Impa goes to the Shadow Temple to try to hold him off, or something. This dungeon has the same theme, as well as the same miniboss, AND it is behind the graveyard. Link then fights Bongo Bongo, who looks like this:

Now, notice a few points of interest. The hands are seperated from the arms. In the Middle East, the punishment for stealing is cutting off the hand. I speculate that this man may have been a theif too, as he probably stole the Hover Boots. Also, note the eye. This is clearly what's left of his neck. He was most likely executed by decapitation (another common practice in the Middle East) and his own "Eye of Truth" developed in its place. The guillotines in the Shadow Temple support this.

So, discuss?

 

[Scott!]

That's pretty fascinating, I must say. It all makes some good sense. Assuming this to be true, I'd guess that Ganon gave Bongo the power to break the seal in return for service or something. The Bongo Bongo escape cutscene with the fires and all is a great one. Perhaps Ganon attacked Kakariko to give Bongo the power he needed, or something like that.

 

[rhan]

Nice read. Everything you stated makes sense towards Bongo Bongo.

 

[Spire]

This is great Kholdstare. I actually went on my own "origin of Bongo Bongo" expedition over a year ago, leading into the development of a fanfic based between OoT and TP. Of course, I had a really blurred vision of the timeline, so it was very... 'jagged', so to speak. But yes, whoever this man is (as told by the old geezer in the blue robes in Kakariko) is most definitely Bongo Bongo.

To add on to your theory, a ceremonial drum might have been played at his execution, and so Bongo Bongo plays the bongo. He has captivated me indefinitely, since I first played through the horrific Shadow Temple a decade ago.

 

[Clownbot]

Good read, Khold.

On the subject of Volvagia, not much anything is said about where she actually came from, except that years before the Imprisoning War, she became a threat to the Goron race, but was eventually bested by a hero who was Darunia's ancestor with the Megaton Hammer, until she was revived.

I'm not sure if she has any relation to Barba (the dragon boss from Zelda II), but I doubt she has relation to Stallord; Stallord's stature is significantly different, and he's found in a different area.

 

[Spire]

Good read, Khold.

On the subject of Volvagia, not much anything is said about where she actually came from, except that years before the Imprisoning War, she became a threat to the Goron race, but was eventually bested by a hero who was Darunia's ancestor with the Megaton Hammer, until she was revived.

I'm not sure if she has any relation to Barba (the dragon boss from Zelda II), but I doubt she has relation to Stallord; Stallord's stature is significantly different, and he's found in a different area.

She? I like that. Plus Volvagia is similar to uh..

Anyways. The reason why many believe Stallord to be related to Volvagia and/or King Dodongo is because its battle music is a remix of both of the OoT bosses' themes. Perhaps Stallord is of a related species?

 

[Skrlx]

I never thought about it that way.
Good find!

 

[TLMSheikant]

Interesting. It all makes sense.

 

[Kholdstare]

That's pretty fascinating, I must say. It all makes some good sense. Assuming this to be true, I'd guess that Ganon gave Bongo the power to break the seal in return for service or something. The Bongo Bongo escape cutscene with the fires and all is a great one. Perhaps Ganon attacked Kakariko to give Bongo the power he needed, or something like that.

That makes sense, because Bongo would have needed some sort of extra power to break the seal.

This is great Kholdstare. I actually went on my own "origin of Bongo Bongo" expedition over a year ago, leading into the development of a fanfic based between OoT and TP. Of course, I had a really blurred vision of the timeline, so it was very... 'jagged', so to speak. But yes, whoever this man is (as told by the old geezer in the blue robes in Kakariko) is most definitely Bongo Bongo.

To add on to your theory, a ceremonial drum might have been played at his execution, and so Bongo Bongo plays the bongo. He has captivated me indefinitely, since I first played through the horrific Shadow Temple a decade ago.

Nice, I never thought of that, Spire. That further supports my speculations. Thanks.

Good read, Khold.

On the subject of Volvagia, not much anything is said about where she actually came from, except that years before the Imprisoning War, she became a threat to the Goron race, but was eventually bested by a hero who was Darunia's ancestor with the Megaton Hammer, until she was revived.

I'm not sure if she has any relation to Barba (the dragon boss from Zelda II), but I doubt she has relation to Stallord; Stallord's stature is significantly different, and he's found in a different area.

I've never heard of the Imprisoning War, I might have to look that up. Yeah, you're right about Stallord being different, although I'm a little curious as to what he is the remains of. He just reminds me of Volvagia because of...

She? I like that. Plus Volvagia is similar to uh..

Anyways. The reason why many believe Stallord to be related to Volvagia and/or King Dodongo is because its battle music is a remix of both of the OoT bosses' themes. Perhaps Stallord is of a related species?

...that.

Thanks for the comments, compliments, and reading, guys. I might make another "Origin of" some day.

 

[sammy p]

..... wow... VERY GOOD!!!
i enjoyed that and that, as everyone else has already said, is very sensible!
... never thought about it that way!

 

[Kholdstare]

herp derp derpin

 

[Phantom7]

Very nicely done. I would have never thought of that! And like everyone else says, it all makes sense. The Lens of Truth really COULD be used as a torture mechanic since the victims could be hiding behind walls with it.

Question: Why would the Song of Storms drain the well instead of overflow it? And does that relate to the Bongo Bongo theory?

Whoa... The Lens of Truth!! THAT's why the Sheikah were banished, because torture hexes can be performed with it! In addition, there's also the Fused Shadow, which isn't technically proven to be used by the Sheikah but is highly theorized to be.

 

[Kholdstare]

Very nicely done. I would have never thought of that! And like everyone else says, it all makes sense. The Lens of Truth really COULD be used as a torture mechanic since the victims could be hiding behind walls with it.

Question: Why would the Song of Storms drain the well instead of overflow it? And does that relate to the Bongo Bongo theory?

Whoa... The Lens of Truth!! THAT's why the Sheikah were banished, because torture hexes can be performed with it! In addition, there's also the Fused Shadow, which isn't technically proven to be used by the Sheikah but is highly theorized to be.

The Song of Storms makes the Windmill go extremely fast (high wind). The Windmill drains the well, but not very fast, normally; the fast spinning Windmill drained the well a lot faster. Also, since when can the Lens of Truth preform curses/hexes? Thanks for the compliments.

 

[GoldShadow]

Pretty solid theory here. It's nice to see that, even after so many years, there are still new ways to appreciate this game!

 

[Volkner582]

I'm thinking Bongo Bongo is the collected souls of everyone that died in the Shadow Temple centuries ago.

Sorry, did I say Shadow Temple? I meant the bottom of the well.

 

[Phantom7]

If the Bottom of the Well was a torture chamber, then what was the Shadow Temple used for?

 

[Spire]

If the Bottom of the Well was a torture chamber, then what was the Shadow Temple used for?

There's no way to know exactly. It's ridden with evil though, presumably from the great amount of torture objects, blood, grime, undead, etc, etc. Seems to be a much larger version of the Bottom of the Well, but with some actual worship of some sort taking place there.

 

[Darkurai]

Hm. I'd never thought of this. This certainly fits in well, and I accept it into my personal canon.

 

[Scott!]

Well, the well was this mystery man's personal torture room. The temple itself could have been used by the people in general. The area outside with all the torches could be some sort of altar or something, with the crypts not too far away inside. The lower levels could have been used by priests only, with torture rooms for sinners or blasphemers or someone. The boat is symbolic in that those who are brought onto it are passing both down the river and into death for their execution in the deepest chambers. It bears the Triforce crest and is activated by the royal song because the priests probably believed they were doing the goddesses' work.

 

[zaneebaslave]

Well, there's a ship... um... a ghost ship... which also is the very same ship from WW and PH.
We also know that the shadow temple is attached to Lake Hylia based on the fact that in TP the exact place where the temple should be is now a cave to the lake. The main Bad guy of Phantom Hourglass (Bellum... which starts with a B) also had one great big red eye.

It all might be very coincidential... but Bellum from PH miiiight possible a later version of Bongo Bongo himself. Think about it: Bellum stole people's life force And Bongo Bongo seemed to do the same. Bellum was said to have "created" the phantom ship which might also relate to Bongo Bongo in the fact that Bongo Bongo was in possession of the very same ship. Bellum and Bongo Bongo sortof look the same in the fact that their eyes are both in their mouths. They can also both turn into shadows.


So that right there might be vital evidence that Bongo Bongo, whoever he was, was never killed in the Shadow Temple, and in fact lived on for hundreds of years.

 

[Scott!]

Wait, the ship in OoT's Shadow Temple is the same one as the Ghost Ship in WW and PH? That doesn't seem to fit. I mean, the WW Ghost Ship and the OoT Shadow Temple boat look very different, as I recall. Also, I don't think that a shortcut tunnel counts for much in terms of making connections. In OoT, Goron City and the Lost Woods, as well as the Zora's River area and the Lost Woods were connected. Does this mean they're connected in a historically significant way? Maybe, maybe not. Personally, I think that unless there's more conclusive evidence out there, that this is a bit too much of a stretch for me, and I'm often willing to stretch.

 

[SinkingHigher]

Though I do like the theory and all, I'd like it if you didn't make fleeting assumptions about the middle east.

Firstly, only Saudi Arabia, not the entire middle east, has been going about cutting peoples hands off if they're caught stealing for quite some time and that law is being fought all the time.

Beheading likewise exists in Saudi and Iran but there haven't been any decapitations for a long time. Turkey still uses the death penalty, iirc. It's a practice that has been going on for hundreds of years and was still happening just decades ago for a lot of countries.

I'm not trying to turn this thread into a debate or prove you wrong, I just don't like people generalising about anyone, and the middle east specifically. No good comes of that. Likewise, I am certainly not condoning Saudi's overly strict laws. People are capable of bad things, and when you're given a book as vague and open-ended as the Bible or Quran, people can take it to mean a LOT of things. In my opinion, Saudi's "government", if you can call it that, has become EXTREMELY corrupt and continues to hide behind words they bent and squeezed out of the Quran and they're quite a disgrace to islamic law and Islam in general.

Back to the theory...

I thought that the Lens of Truth was a sheikah relic of sorts. Doesn't it have the same Sheikah eye on it that Sheik wears?

If the Bottom of the Well was a torture chamber, then what was the Shadow Temple used for?

I think we know that the Sheikah were not the most peaceful of races. Perhaps similar to Aztecs they gave human sacrifices to their Gods or Guardian Spirits. It would explain all the blood splatters around the place. Maybe that mini boss with all the arms is the one that theoretically cut off all the peoples hands, too. It seemed like a woman so she could have been Sheikah at one point.

 

[zaneebaslave]

Well, look at both the ships and you will notice that they look almost identical, except one might be bigger than the other. I'd post pictures, but I cant find any...

 

[Jiggy]

To be honest, the only thing I knew before going into this thread was that Volvagia was some dragon, Phantom Ganon was... well... a phantom, and Gohma was some queen spider person.

I had no idea they were ALL created or in cahoots with Ganon in some way.

Very enlightening read. I never quite pondered the origin of Bongo Bongo. To be honest, he's my least favorite boss battle.

This post made me respect the boss battle a bit more, though, since I now know that there could be some symbolism with the way Bongo Bongo looks.

 

[Blaziking17]

Back to the theory...

I thought that the Lens of Truth was a sheikah relic of sorts. Doesn't it have the same Sheikah eye on it that Sheik wears?

Yes, the three points on the top edge, and the eye slit inside the lens is similar looking to what Shiek has!

 

[Phantom7]

That's where they Sheikah emblem originated from, of course.

What's strange about the Shadow Temple, though, is that it was obviously created after the Lens of Truth was invented, because the eye is carved into the door. My theory is the Bottom of the Well was the torture chamber, and the Shadow Temple is where the corpses were buried. After all, it is in the graveyard. The writing on the wall reads "Here is gathered Hyrule's bloody history of greed and hatred". Apparently, the Shadow Temple is a burial site. Perhaps the Sheikah wrote these epitaphs because the inventor of the Lens of Truth slaughtered innocent citizens. Basically, the Sheikah built the Shadow Temple to honor the dead, and especially those who were tortured in the Bottom of the Well.

The ship cannot be the same ghost ship from WW. Notice in the Shadow Temple, the boat is described as the "portal to the other world", rather, to the burial site of the torturer and not those who were tortured. The ship is symbolic to the Sheikah for this reason.

 

[Falcon88]

This is a great discussion! Nice theory. Bongo Bongo is indeed one of the most mysterious bosses. But what you all said makes good sense.

About the windmill and the well...
The well was built there and filled with water as a means to "bury" the torture chamber and hide it from the present people of Kakariko. Notice that when Link becomes an adult, the well's bottom is sealed off again, even though it wasn't when he was a child. Someone noticed that the well was drained and that the torture chambers were open again, so this person sealed the well while Link was asleep for seven years. This person obviously knew a lot about Kakariko's history, so it was likely Impa who took it upon herself to seal the well off.
Of course this is all my speculating, but I think there's a reason the residents of Kakariko have no idea why the well was built and why it was sealed off again after being drained.

 

[Volkner582]

To be honest, the only thing I knew before going into this thread was that Volvagia was some dragon, Phantom Ganon was... well... a phantom, and Gohma was some queen spider person.

I had no idea they were ALL created or in cahoots with Ganon in some way.

Very enlightening read. I never quite pondered the origin of Bongo Bongo. To be honest, he's my least favorite boss battle.

This post made me respect the boss battle a bit more, though, since I now know that there could be some symbolism with the way Bongo Bongo looks.

As far as I know, only Phantom Ganon and Twinrova are directly affiliated with Ganon. Volvagia and Morpha may have been created/resurrected by him, but the other four seem to have no connection whatsoever. Except maybe Gohma, but I kind of doubt that.

 

[Phantom7]

This is a great discussion! Nice theory. Bongo Bongo is indeed one of the most mysterious bosses. But what you all said makes good sense.

About the windmill and the well...
The well was built there and filled with water as a means to "bury" the torture chamber and hide it from the present people of Kakariko. Notice that when Link becomes an adult, the well's bottom is sealed off again, even though it wasn't when he was a child. Someone noticed that the well was drained and that the torture chambers were open again, so this person sealed the well while Link was asleep for seven years. This person obviously knew a lot about Kakariko's history, so it was likely Impa who took it upon herself to seal the well off.
Of course this is all my speculating, but I think there's a reason the residents of Kakariko have no idea why the well was built and why it was sealed off again after being drained.

I agree 100%, I must say. Impa is the only possible character to have blocked off the Bottom of the Well. Besides, the people in Kakariko say they don't know what the well was used for.

 

[Volkner582]

That's where they Sheikah emblem originated from, of course.

What's strange about the Shadow Temple, though, is that it was obviously created after the Lens of Truth was invented, because the eye is carved into the door. My theory is the Bottom of the Well was the torture chamber, and the Shadow Temple is where the corpses were buried. After all, it is in the graveyard. The writing on the wall reads "Here is gathered Hyrule's bloody history of greed and hatred". Apparently, the Shadow Temple is a burial site. Perhaps the Sheikah wrote these epitaphs because the inventor of the Lens of Truth slaughtered innocent citizens. Basically, the Sheikah built the Shadow Temple to honor the dead, and especially those who were tortured in the Bottom of the Well.

The ship cannot be the same ghost ship from WW. Notice in the Shadow Temple, the boat is described as the "portal to the other world", rather, to the burial site of the torturer and not those who were tortured. The ship is symbolic to the Sheikah for this reason.

What about the guillotines, spike traps, etc? Maybe they were there to prevent would-be heroes from getting to the torturer's burial site?

 

[Phantom7]

What about the guillotines, spike traps, etc? Maybe they were there to prevent would-be heroes from getting to the torturer's burial site?

Theoretically, those were for Bongo-Bongo's execution. Notice that the burial site in the front of the dungeon is separated from the guillotines, spike traps, etc and Bongo Bongo's boss chamber (which is supposedly his tomb). This could have very well been where Bong Bongo was executed (supposedly they used the guillotines to cut off his hands and head), and his body was taken on the ship to the place where the Sheikah buried him. However, they could also have been for the reason you mentioned, or both (I'm willing to guess both).

I noticed something -- In the Shadow Temple, one of the images on the wall speaks to Link saying that the Lens of Truth was passed down in Kakariko Village. So the torturer was not an inventor, but actually had the Lens of Truth passed down to him, and he simply abused it.

 

[Falcon88]

I noticed something -- In the Shadow Temple, one of the images on the wall speaks to Link saying that the Lens of Truth was passed down in Kakariko Village. So the torturer was not an inventor, but actually had the Lens of Truth passed down to him, and he simply abused it.

That is true. The Lens had obviously been a relic of great importance for several generations when you look at what the spirits tell Link. It must have gotten passed on to the wrong hands...

This may be a little off topic, but this makes me wonder what relationship the Mask of Truth plays to the Lens of Truth.

 

[Volkner582]

If so, that was one hell of an execution.

 

[Phantom7]

If so, that was one hell of an execution.

Well, he did have his hands and legs cut off, then he was beheaded, so obviously his body was carefully separated. Apparently, he was tortured to death, just like he would have tortured his victims.

@Falcon88: I think it's all part of the Sheikah-hex thing. They have the ability to see and hear the "truth", and they have been inventing hexed masks and lenses in order to see and hear it.

 

[Volkner582]

I'm just going with my theory that Bongo Bongo=Torturer's Victims.

 

[Smashsamurai]

Interesting.

Kind of creepy if you ask me, but so was that level.

 

[Falcon88]

I'm just going with my theory that Bongo Bongo=Torturer's Victims

Here's a thought - the Sheikah may have been executing Hylians in the Shadow Temple for some time. Remember the voice that says to Link: "Shadow Temple: Here is gathered Hyrule's bloody history of greed and hatred." The Shadow Temple is apparently a burial place for evildoers. So, only the "bad guys" got buried in the Shadow Temple, and the victims of the Lens bearers must be resting in the Bottom of the Well.

 

[Scott!]

Here's a thought - the Sheikah may have been executing Hylians in the Shadow Temple for some time. Remember the voice that says to Link: "Shadow Temple: Here is gathered Hyrule's bloody history of greed and hatred." The Shadow Temple is apparently a burial place for evildoers. So, only the "bad guys" got buried in the Shadow Temple, and the victims of the Lens bearers must be resting in the Bottom of the Well.

Hm, I always interpreted that quote differently. I never thought it referred to the people there as the evil ones. I just thought of them as the casualties of this "bloody history". People who were killed in war, or betrayed, or somehow landed on the receiving end of an evil act. It, and the whole temple, seem to be a warning to Hyrule. This is the result of your fighting, mass casualties. This is what happens when you're greedy, people die. It points out the dark side, or shadow , of these actions. Never really thought it through that much, but the Shadow Temple just feels less evil than the well to me. The temple, while creepy, seems to honor the dead, to me. But the well is just terrifying, and I always avoid most of it except for perfect runs.

 

[Volkner582]

You're right, I don't recall the temple having Bubbles. Those skulls frighten me.

 

[Meorksies]

Given what was said of the hands of thieves being cut off, and the Lens itself being passed down, maybe the being now known as Bongo Bongo stole the Lens from its rightful successor and abused its powers for the cruel tortures seen in the Well, having somehow gained access to the chambers. Maybe even a jealous direct relative of the rightful successor, both living in the house once standing over these chambers? The Hover Boots may just be a standard relic of the Shadow Temple.

After the execution, the horrible sinner's body was buried in the deepest part of the Shadow Temple, and the spirit to the body sealed in the Well, with the stolen Lens. Or even that's where the Lens was kept after stealing it, and no one managed to get it back afterwards.