What Happened to the Female Members of the Dothraki When Daenerys Left Essos

In the Game of Thrones series, Daenerys Targaryen leaves Essos with a large contingent of Dothraki warriors, but the narrative does not delve into the specific circumstances of the female members of this culture. Dothraki women traditionally play a different role from men, often staying behind to manage the khalasars while their male counterparts venture out. However, the series offers limited insights into how these women fare, and their journey to Westeros remains largely unexplored.

The Role of Dothraki Women in the Series

When Daenerys takes control of the Dothraki after Khal Drogo's death, she does empower some Dothraki women, and there are instances where women ride and fight alongside men. Nevertheless, the portrayal of Dothraki women in the series is limited, and their specific fate is not elaborated upon.

Did the Female Members Come with Daenerys?

Most Dothraki contingents seen boarding ships to Westeros consist exclusively of male warriors. Notably, there are no women or children observed among the Dothraki traveling with Daenerys during these scenes. It is possible that the women and children remained in Essos. However, this is based on pure speculation as the series does not provide definitive answers.

Possible Fates for the Female Members

One plausible scenario is that the Dothraki women and children stayed behind at Vaes Dothrak, the sacred city of the Dothraki. Vaes Dothrak is the only city that the Dothraki have, and it is the site where the dosh khaleen, the High Mothers, reside with their slaves and servants. Regardless of the city's transient population, it is large enough to host all khalasars simultaneously. The dosh khaleen have prophesied that one day, all Dothraki will return to the city at the same time.

Vaes Dothrak: A Place of Safety

Located in the shadow of the Mother of Mountains, a mountain only Dothraki men are allowed to ascend, Vaes Dothrak offers a sanctuary for the women and children. Sitting at the edge of the city is the Womb of the World, a large lake where the Dothraki believe the first men emerged a millennium ago upon the back of the first horse.

Women and children in Vaes Dothrak would be safe. They could raise their children in a secure environment, and the young men would form khalasars as they reach adulthood. How would they sustain themselves? Daenerys Targaryen undoubtedly left behind enough silver and gold to support these individuals. Additionally, the male Dothraki she took with her to Westeros could contribute to the economic stability of Vaes Dothrak through various means, such as trade or by providing protection to merchants and travelers.

Conclusion

While many male Dothraki warriors accompany Daenerys on her journey to Westeros, the specific fate of the female members remains largely unexplored in the narrative. The possibility that they remained in Vaes Dothrak provides a plausible explanation for their whereabouts, allowing them to maintain their traditions and live in safety until conditions in Westeros change or until one day, the prophecy of the dosh khaleen is fulfilled.