The Na'vi

The Na'vi (English: The People) are a species of sapient humanoids who inhabit the lush moon of Pandora.

They are hunter-gatherers with technology equivalent of Earth's Paleolithic epoch, along with a society that is essentially Neolithic.[4] The Na'vi are also not to be confused with the similar-looking avatars.

The lifestyles of Na'vi clans are highly varied with their own unique traditions and beliefs, and they have developed sophisticated cultures. With the exception of the Mangkwan clan, they share a profound spiritual connection to other life on their moon, each other, and an encompassing "goddess" they call Eywa.

The Na'vi are engaged in a violent war with the Resources Development Administration comprised of humans from Earth. The war started after the organization aimed to harvest a rare mineral known as unobtanium and failed to negotiate a peaceful solution. Conflicts escalated and led to the RDA destroying the Omatikaya clan's hometree, as well as a failed attempt to destroy the Tree of Souls. The Na'vi defeated the RDA and expelled them from Pandora, winning the First Pandoran War. However, the RDA returned fourteen years later to fully colonize Pandora due to the worsening conditions on Earth, initiating the Second Pandoran War. Some clans have allied with like-minded humans to form The Resistance and fight back against the colonization efforts. The RDA seeks to convince humanity that the Na'vi are uncivilized beasts, which will undoubtedly reduce the costs involved in doing their work.

Pandora, also known as Eywa's Child by the Na'vi (Na'vi name: Eywa'eveng , is an Earth-like habitable extrasolar moon from the Alpha Centauri System, the closest star system to humanity’s own Solar System. It is the fifth moon of the gas giant Polyphemus (previously named Crius), which orbits Alpha Centauri A. Pandora's sister moon is Cassandra, and they orbit Polyphemus with the other moons Hades, Dante, and Chaos, and nine others whose names are currently unknown. The names of both the moon and its mother planet are coined by humans in reference to figures in Greek mythology

Neytiri :She is a fierce and skilled warrior who becomes the mate of Jake Sully and mother to their children. Initially hostile to humans, she eventually falls in love with Jake and becomes a key figure in the Na'vi's fight against the RDA.

Jake sulley:He is the twin brother of the late Tom Sully, the husband/mate of Neytiri, the father of Neteyam, Lo'ak, and Tuktirey, the adoptive father of Kiri and Miles "Spider" Socorro, the former clan leader of the Omatikaya Clan and a current member of the Metkayina clan.

The Aranahe are stylish, sophisticated, and intellectual, reveling in all the arts, but especially weaving the fine silk of the kinglor. The Aranahe have learned to survive by abiding by long-standing traditions and valuing the needs of the community over the wants of the individual. They frown upon those who would question these ancient ways.[1]

The Aranahe are known for their dyes and their knowledge with dyes is shown everywhere in their hometree and clothing. They trade dyes and textiles with other clans, possibly including the Sarentu clan. They have a connection with the kinglor, a moth-like species that produces the silk used by the Aranahe for their creations.

The Zeswa are wanderers, traveling along with the zakru who only move around once per generation. Until then, the clan sets its tents around the zakru to shield them from the strong winds.[3] Young zakru, such as Ko'akte, are cared for by the clan in a nursery tent. To be born on the same day as a zakru, as Tamu was, is considered a good omen.

They are a colorful, boisterous and ferocious warrior clan. Proud and loving, the Zeswa talk loudly, feel strongly, and play fiercely. They are a clan of fearless direhorse riders, renowned for their war-like competitions and over-the-top celebrations. This includes hosting the Great Games, a large athletic competition. They also ride banshees.

Due to Pandora's lower gravity, most creatures on Pandora are hexapods (six-legged), although the Na'vi resemble humans and have only four limbs. Creatures roam the air and forest canopy below, similar to Earth's animals, but on a scale several times larger. One of the most domesticated creatures on Pandora is the direhorse, a gray-skinned, hexapodal herbivorous animal with bioluminescent qualities that the Na'vi ride when hunting, similar to the human usage of horses. The Na'vi also ride the mountain banshee to hunt from the air, but the hunter can become prey in the presence of the great leonopteryx. In the canopy below, other deadly yet exotic wild animals roam: vicious packs of viperwolves, thick skinned hammerhead titanotheres and the most fearsome predatory animal of all, the thanator.

The vast majority of Na'vi have dark brown or black hair on their heads, although some do exhibit lighter shades of brown. In extremely rare cases, dirty blonde has been observed, although it is unclear if it is due to rare genetics, bleaching (e.g. sun bleaching, or technically "Alpha Centauri bleaching" on Pandora) or dyes. The Na'vi do not appear to have their hair grey with age.

Na'vi reach mental, physical, and cultural adulthood between the ages of 15 - 17 Terran years.[10] Afterward, Na'vi experience a "plateau" of adulthood without physical decline

All Na’vi have a long prehensile tail. This is used for balance, acting as a moving countermass to smooth out the stride at a full run, and to assist with direction changes. The tail is also used for social cues regarding emotional states, as are the ears. Some Na’vi subspecies can suspend their weight from their tail, but the Na’vi in the Hell’s Gate region cannot. They have been observed however using the prehensile tip of the tail to grip tree limbs and vines during climbing, and to help arrest a fall.

Although lifespan data is incomplete, it is estimated Na'vi live 30% longer than the average human.[7] Once born, Na'vi children mature more rapidly than humans

Some further sexual dimorphism can be seen in that males possess prominent musculature pectoral tendons, which is not observed in females. Some female Na'vi (including Neytiri) exhibit vertical stripes on their bellies, although it is unclear if all female Na'vi do.

The Na'vi are overall humanoid in their anatomy, though they also possess feline features such as flat, bifurcated noses, pointed ears that can move independently, and a long prehensile tail used for gripping and balance. Their necks are long and their bodies are slender, with a narrow elongated waist and wide shoulders that create a V-shaped upper back. Distinctly separating them from humans, native Na'vi possess only four digits on each hand and foot, including an opposable thumb and thumb toe. Dentition is similar to humans, although canines are more pronounced. The Na’vi skull is proportionately small, compared to a human head/body ratio, and is characterized by high cheekbones, feline ears and a protruding snout.

The Na'vi have fit, slender, and muscular bodies, likely due to their active lifestyles preventing obesity. Despite their thin proportions, their musculature is sharply defined and they have roughly four times the strength of even the strongest human. Elderly Na'vi do not seem to suffer mobility issues and muscular degradation like humans. The Na'vi use their superior strength, agility, and uncanny sense of balance to scale trees, rocks, and other obstacles with ease. In the unlikely case of a fall, they usually escape unharmed, as their bones are reinforced with a type of naturally occurring carbon fiber.

Queue

One of the most unique aspects about the Na'vi are their queues which are a long appendage ending in pinkish tendrils that look somewhat like hair but are actually extensions of their nervous system. This organ plays many key roles in Na'vi culture, allowing them to bond with animals, access the memories of their ancestors through Eywa, or bond with one another to view each other's memories.

The size of Na'vi varies by region and genetic history. The average male stands at 9' 7" (292 cm) tall,[5] while female Na'vi are slightly smaller. The maximum observed size is 3.9 meters (~12 feet, 10 inches).[1][3] Adult Na'vi males in the region of Australis surrounding Hell’s Gate average 3 meters in height and 210 kg (463 pounds). Females in this region average 2.8 meters/190 kg (419 pounds).

Some further sexual dimorphism can be seen in that males possess prominent musculature pectoral tendons, which is not observed in females. Some female Na'vi (including Neytiri) exhibit vertical stripes on their bellies, although it is unclear if all female Na'vi do.

The Na'vi are overall humanoid in their anatomy, though they also possess feline features such as flat, bifurcated noses, pointed ears that can move independently, and a long prehensile tail used for gripping and balance. Their necks are long and their bodies are slender, with a narrow elongated waist and wide shoulders that create a V-shaped upper back. Distinctly separating them from humans, native Na'vi possess only four digits on each hand and foot, including an opposable thumb and thumb toe. Dentition is similar to humans, although canines are more pronounced. The Na’vi skull is proportionately small, compared to a human head/body ratio, and is characterized by high cheekbones, feline ears and a protruding snout.

The Na'vi have fit, slender, and muscular bodies, likely due to their active lifestyles preventing obesity. Despite their thin proportions, their musculature is sharply defined and they have roughly four times the strength of even the strongest human. Elderly Na'vi do not seem to suffer mobility issues and muscular degradation like humans. The Na'vi use their superior strength, agility, and uncanny sense of balance to scale trees, rocks, and other obstacles with ease. In the unlikely case of a fall, they usually escape unharmed, as their bones are reinforced with a type of naturally occurring carbon fiber.

Queue

One of the most unique aspects about the Na'vi are their queues which are a long appendage ending in pinkish tendrils that look somewhat like hair but are actually extensions of their nervous system. This organ plays many key roles in Na'vi culture, allowing them to bond with animals, access the memories of their ancestors through Eywa, or bond with one another to view each other's memories.

Na'vi eyes are large and sensitive to wavelengths of light inclusive of the human visual range, and beyond into near-infrared. Their eyes are adapted for nocturnal hunting. The eye is four times human size, by volume.

Eye color is typically a golden yellow amber, but green and blue eyes are not uncommon. For unknown reasons, brown eyes do not seem to be a color but this is yet to be verified. The pupils will retro-reflect green light at night, due to a layer of light amplifying cells in the retina. The eyes are oriented well forward, as with most predators, for binocular vision. Na’vi are known to process stereopsis at a much finer level than the human visual system, and can detect the range and speed of moving objects two to three times more accurately than humans can.

Skin

Na'vi skin is smooth and iridescent, appearing within the blue color spectrum, ranging from greenish-cyan and turquoise found in oceanic clans to deeper blues seen in jungle-fairing Na'vi such as the Omatikaya. The color is due to the presence of cyanin pigment which can "tan" to a darker purple color after prolonged UV exposure.

Na’vi skin is hairless except for the cranium and the tip of the tail, and contains cyanin, a pigment that produces colors in the blue, purple and cyan spectrum. Na’vi blood is red, utilizing an iron compound similar to hemoglobin to transport oxygen..The interaction of skin pigment with subsurface blood flow creates the characteristic blue and purplish shades of Na’vi skin color. Pigment patterns vary widely but are generally bands and stripes of darker blues on a field of lighter blue and cyan tones. The pigment becomes darker and shifts toward purple with long exposure to sunlight. The pigment attenuates in density on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, and the inside surface of the ear cartilage.

Their skin is marked with darker-colored markings, typically stripes, although this can vary widely. This gives every Na'vi a unique skin pattern, especially on their face.

The Aranahe clan, also known as the Kinglor Forest clan, is a clan of Na'vi weavers that live in the Silk Woods of the Kinglor Forest, located in the Western Frontier of Pandora.

The clan is led by its Olo'eyktan, Ka'nat, and his daughter, the Tsahìk Etuwa, though the two do not always see eye to eye.

They live in a Hometree. Its many chambers and twisting corridors of the mighty tree are adorned with painted tapestries and dyed silks, displaying the artistic way of life of its inhabitants. Naturally one of the nesting places of the kinglor, it has recently received them in numbers that are threatening its stability.

The clan connects to Eywa at the Glade of Light, a mountainous grove of Trees of Voices nestled amongst waterfalls. The Glade of Light also hosts important communal gatherings of the Aranahe

The Zeswa'Sopyu,[1] more often known simply as the Zeswa, is a clan of Na'vi nomads that live in the Upper Plains. They are led by Nesim, with her sister Minang serving as tsahìk.

The strong winds of the Upper Plains are also harnessed by Aeolian Wind Flutes crafted by the Zeswa and dotted throughout the land. When in tune, they emit a harmonious hum which is intended to sound similar to the vocalizations of the zakru. The densest concentration of flutes is at the Zakru Graveyard, where their tune is intended to soothe the zakru who have passed on.

"Dance-fighting" is a practice seemingly unique to the Zeswa. Not much is known about the practice, but it seems to be a ritualized hand-to-hand spar between two participants.

The clan connects to Eywa at the Chamber of Echoes, located just a short ways east of the clan's location