The Name "Majora"

[lampiaio]

First of all, hi! This is my first post. English is not my first language, so please forgive any mistakes. I registered on this forum because I wanted to share something with you guys, so I hope I'm posting on the right place.

I believe I have solved a decade-long mystery: where does the name "Majora" come from? Last year I realized the connection I explain below, but because I was afraid of it all being just a wild guess, I decided to wait some time to research some more, and to check if no one else had already come up with the same idea. Today I submitted my theory to Reddit's /r/zelda (link), as quoted:

After reading The Message of Majora's Mask a while ago, I was finally able to understand what made me like this game so much. I played MM when it came out and absolutely loved its somber tone. One thing I always wondered, though, is where the name for Majora's Mask came from. One day, it clicked.

I'd like to start by pointing out that there's a lot of Brazilian influence on Nintendo games, which is something usually best seen in their music: many Mario songs, especially the main theme, have a distinct samba feel, and even Majora's Mask itself has the New Wave Bossa Nova ocarina melody. I remember reading some interviews with Miyamoto and Koji Kondo in which they confirm how they like to take many aspects of the Brazilian culture as inspiration for their creations. Did you know Samus' name is based on soccer player Pelé? (source)

There is an island in Brazil called Marajó. On this island, in pre-Columbian times, there was a sophisticated society now called the Marajoara, which produced pottery in a distinct art style. They also made (zoo-)anthropomorphic figures and, most importantly, masks.

Sadly, there isn't much info about them in English on the internet, but if you search Google Images for "máscara marajoara" ("Marajoara mask" in Portuguese) and compare the results to the actual Majora's Mask, I'd say they seem just too similar for this to be just a coincidence. The entrance to the Stone Tower Temple and this other sculpture also have the same art style, including the big round protruding eyes which is a characteristic of Marajoara masks. Bear in mind that those are just the examples I found on the article I linked above, but I remember seeing other similarities when I played the game, as well as in many Marajoara items I've seen in Brazil but couldn't find examples on the web.

A different search for "marajoara art" brings a few more results, including this one (the caption, "Ser Mítico", means "Mythical Being") which seems oddly similar the "eerie" art style adopted in many parts of the game and also has the peculiar bulged eyes. Another of the main Marajoara art aspects is banding/striping (which is even present on the golden rim of Brazilian coins [Obverse] [Reverse]. While I couldn't find screenshots to back this up, I remember there being some instances of this in at least some parts through the game.

(Also, if this I am correct, it also explains where they got the idea for the creepy smile of Elegy of Emptiness statues: image. Couldn't find more, but I've seen other Marajoara masks with that "smile" IRL.)

But then why is the name different in Japanese? My theory is that they originally wanted it to be called "Majora" (マジョラ) in Japan as well, but changed it to "Mujura" (ムジュラ) in order to avoid it containing the word 魔女 (Majo, "witch"), which would cause confusion about the plot.

What do you guys think? I've never exposed this theory to anyone other than a few friends, who say it "makes sense", so I'd really like to hear if you think there's a relation or if I'm just seeing things.

TL;DR there's an ancient Brazilian tribal society with a very similar name (Marajoara) which made masks which look strikingly similar to the art style of Majora's Mask.

I doubt we'll ever see a confirmation, but if this theory becomes widespread, the chance of someday an interviewer asking them about it is higher than if I never told anyone. So, I'd love to hear your opinions! I really want to spread this explanation, because I believe it's something that Miyamoto's probably been thinking "I wonder if someone will ever figure it out..."

Maybe someday we'll see this included on wiki articles?

[DekuNut]

First of all, welcome to ZD!
Second of all, this is a very interesting theory, one I have never seen on a Zelda Forum.
And, I'd have to say, I agree.
You have shown picture evidence of this theory, and show how this has been thrown into othr Nintendo games. You've covered any possible question I can think of. Great first post!

[mandym287]

This is quite interesting as for the origin and idea of it because I do believe that Nintendo does base some of their stuff off things in real life. But the word "Majora" from what I've heard is Latin, and roughly translates to "major domus" which , if I remember correctly, domus is the root that the word "domain" comes from. So, it may have to do with how the mask possesses Skull Kid, but I could easily be wrong. But I do like this theory--especially about the Brazilian tribe... now I want to look deeper into it. ;p

Also, welcome to ZD.

[DekuNut]

But I do like this theory--especially about the Brazilian tribe... now I want to look deeper into it. ;p

Definitley something to think about.