Great War of Ikana

The Great War of Ikana is an event from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. Happening prior to the events of the game, the war is one of the most ambiguous and mysterious aspects of the Legend of Zelda series. The war is never spoken of in depth, but rather, hinted at several times during Link's time in Ikana.

From what can be gathered, it is clear that the Ikana Royal Family was forced to defend the land of Ikana from the invading Garo tribe. Pamela's Father reveals that the Garo were the spies of a foreign nation sent to investigate Ikana's defenses. From this it is presumed they were found out, and the Great War broke out. Captain Keeta was placed in charge of the Ikana army by the king, Igos du Ikana. Captain Keeta eventually lost a great battle however, as he tells Link: "Since being shamed by loss in a battle within my kingdom... I have waited here for one to come and awaken my soul." This likely explains the reasoning behind him and his men being found in Ikana Graveyard. From here, the Garo seem to have usurped control of the kingdom, as Igos comments: "The kingdom being ruined and us left in this state... Isn't it petty, little battles like this that have caused it?"

This does not fully explain however, why the land of Ikana is an undead wasteland. The answer to this likely revolves around the Stone Tower Temple. The temple is often spoken of as a cursed place, and when someone opened the doors to the temple, evils were unleashed into the world. Many believe this refers to the Skull Kid, but this is likely not the case. Ikana seems to have been cursed for ages, and the Skull Kid just recently entered Termina with Majora's Mask. With this in mind, it seems likely that this "someone" refers to the Garo Master who is found within the temple. When the doors were opened, the land was wiped out, Ikanians and Garos alike. This explains why Pamela's father tells Link that the Garo "have been unable to forget their living days. Even now their spirits--emptiness cloaked in darkness--continue to spy", revealing that the Garo are in fact undead, as well as the stalfos-like Ikanians. If all this it true, it clarifies why Igos du Ikana talks about the Stone Tower Temple as if it is the enemy stronghold as well as the source of Ikana's curse.