A Dothraki khalasar on the move.
The Dothraki are a race of nomadic warriors in Essos, the vast continent to the east of Westeros. They ride horses and are said to be born, fight and die in the saddle.
Society
The Dothraki are organized in nameless clans known as khalasars, led by a single leader, the khal. The khalasars inhabit the Dothraki sea, and cross it to raid neighboring regions, such as Lhazar to the southeast or the Free Cities to the west. The Dothraki respect force and live by taking what they need including supplies, slaves and valuables. There is no Dothraki word for thank you and they view trade as an exchange of gifts.[1]
The Dothraki traditionally fight with curved swords, the arakhs, and also employ whips or huge, recurved bows with impressive range and striking power that can be fired from horseback. They also shun armor, considering speed and freedom of movement to be more important in battle. Warriors braid their hair and only cut it when defeated, so the world may see their shame.[1]
The only Dothraki city is Vaes Dothrak, located to the far north-east of the Dothraki sea. It is ruled by the Dosh khaleen, crones and wise women who were once the wives of now dead khals. Drawing weapons is forbidden inside Vaes Dothrak.[1]
Dothraki do not trust salt water because their horses cannot drink it. They do not sail and are not considered a threat by the Westerosi because they will not cross the Narrow Sea.[1]
Religion
Mirroring the importance of the horse in Dothraki culture, their deity is the Great Stallion.
Dothraki religion also rejects blood magic. For this reason, maegi are distrusted and hated by Dothraki.
Dothraki terminology
- Khal - Dothraki warlord.
- Khaleesi - The wife of the khal.
- Khalasar - Dothraki clan or tribe.
- Ko - The 2nd in command, and able to become the next Khal
- Bloodrider - a Dothraki warrior that has pledged his life to the service of a khal.
Members
Khal Drogo The Khal over everyone in the Dothraki
Daenerys Khaleesi to Khal Drogo
Pono is a ko in Khal Drogo's khalasar
Jhaqo is a ko in Khal Drogo's khalasar
Rakharo Bloodrider of Khal Drogo, and later Daenerys
Kovarro Bloodrider of Khal Drogo, and later Daenerys
Irri Slave/hand maiden of Khaleesi Daenerys
Doreah Slave/hand maiden of Khaleesi Daenerys
Jhiqui Slave/hand maiden of Khaleesi Daenerys
Jeor Mormont exiled knight, who joined up with Khal Drogo's khalasar
In the books
In the Song of Ice and Fire novels the Dothraki are numerous and are divided into large hordes or khalasars which range over vast areas. Khal Drogo's khalasar consists of 40,000 warriors and is said to be unusually large. The Dothraki are mostly active on the Dothraki sea, a vast inland area of grassy plains and steppes, but sometimes raid into the Free Cities to the west and Slaver's Bay and Lhazar to the south. The Dothraki are untrusting of outsiders, but respectful of capable warriors even from other cultures. They particularly dislike those who have inherited their titles and done nothing to earn them.
As pointed out in the behind-the-scenes featurettes, the Dothraki are inspired by a loose mix of the Mongols, Native American plains tribes, and various other nomadic horse-riding peoples who live on the open steppe.
According to the TV series official pronunciation guide developed for the cast and crew, "Dothraki" is pronounced "Doth-RACK-ee".
See also
References
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