Na'vi

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Na'vi (纳威人)
Species/Race	Indigenous intelligent species of Planet Pandora 395
Affiliation	Independent Na'vi tribes of Pandora
Status	Extant; later united and reached a coexistence agreement with humans on Pandora 453
First Appearance	Chapter 395

Background / History

The Na'vi are Pandora's native intelligent people. Before open conflict, Na'vi hunting parties and the arriving “Sky People” exchanged gifts, while some Na'vi children learned human knowledge from Grace. Relations collapsed after humans damaged the forest in their search for superconducting ore; the Na'vi answered what they understood as Mother Earth's call to defend Pandora. 397

Their conflict with humanity centered on the protection of their forest, Hometree, and the Soul Tree. The tribe under Eytukan initially received Chen Changsheng and Jake Sully as special guests after Soul Tree seeds gathered around Jake, treating the event as a divine revelation. 406

Human mining activity eventually brought the tribe into open confrontation. After mercenaries targeted and destroyed the Soul Tree, the Na'vi mobilized their warriors, Heavy Armor Horse riders, and Banshee units to fight alongside Pandora's creatures. They suffered severe losses, including the death of Eytukan and the near-destruction of their aerial force. 433 434 435

Following the war, Hometree was abandoned and Hell's Gate base was destroyed after repeated attacks by Pandora's creatures. Surviving Na'vi children later explored the ruined base, where Chen Changsheng re-established contact with them. 436

After the Soul Tree's destruction, the Willow Tree became a new channel for Pandora's will and was accepted, gradually, as the Na'vi's new Soul Tree. Leadership conflict followed: Sutey challenged Jake Sully's authority, and Chen Changsheng ultimately selected Sutey as the Na'vi representative. 442 443 444

As Avatar immigration expanded and Na'vi territory was increasingly constrained, Na'vi across Pandora united. After Eywa's will awakened and checked human aggression, Sutey's negotiations produced an agreement for humans and Na'vi to coexist without infringing on one another. 448 453

Appearance

Na'vi have humanoid body structures, are taller than humans, and have deep-blue skin. Their appearance is the genetic basis from which human–Na'vi Avatar bodies were engineered. 395

• Four fingers on each hand; this distinguishes them from five-fingered human-controlled Avatars. 397 406
• A queue-like neural organ that enables biological connections. 406
• Blue skin, a coloration common across Pandora. 395
• Their queues are considered a critical vulnerability; severing one is described as worse than death. 406

Society & Culture

Leadership

A Na'vi tribe is led by a chieftain, while a spiritual leader holds major religious authority through the tribe's connection to Pandora and its sacred trees. Under Eytukan, political and spiritual authority were concentrated within his family. 405

• Eytukan served as chieftain of the Hometree tribe. 405
• Hi'Tuk was the tribe's spiritual leader. 405
• Sutey was originally recognized as Eytukan's successor and later became chief after Jake Sully's removal. 401 443 447
• Kiri later became a priestess and co-leader among the united Na'vi. 453

Hometree Life

Hometree served as both settlement and communal center. Its hollow interior contained living spaces, while its naturally formed paths allowed inhabitants to travel through the tree. 405

• Communal meals are held at the base of Hometree. 407
• The tribe relies on abundant local fruits and meat for food. 408
• The population is limited enough that the loss of even a few members is treated as severe. 405

Faith and Sacred Trees

The Na'vi revere the Soul Tree as a sacred link to Eywa, or Pandora's will. Soul Tree seeds are interpreted as divine signs, and an attack on the tree provokes an immediate, united response. 397 406 433

After the original Soul Tree was destroyed, the Willow Tree assumed its religious role. The Na'vi initially resisted accepting a human-associated replacement, but later recognized it as their new Soul Tree. 441 442 444

Abilities & Skills

Neural Linking

The Na'vi use their queues to establish neural links with certain Pandoran lifeforms.

• Connect with creatures such as Heavy Armor Horses and Mountain Banshees. 412 416
• Communicate with Eywa through the Soul Tree or similar sacred plant networks. 406
• Form direct connections with other Na'vi. 406
• A connection is treated as a profound bond, allowing the rider's intelligence to influence a linked mount. 416

Hunting and Warfare

Na'vi are raised as hunters before becoming warriors, and are highly adapted to forest combat. 412

• Skilled with bows, arrows, spears, bone knives, and stone knives. 401 424
• Their poisoned arrows are lethal if they draw blood. 424
• Use Heavy Armor Horses as cavalry mounts. 401
• Field Banshee-mounted aerial units in large-scale battle. 434
• Employ their familiarity with Pandora's terrain to rapidly gather and surround intruders. 424

Mount Taming

Obtaining a Mountain Banshee is a major trial for Na'vi hunters. A suitable Banshee is valued for extreme boldness and willingness to risk death alongside its rider. 416

• Heavy Armor Horses are linked through the Na'vi queue. 412
• Mountain Banshees are approached in the floating mountains and bonded through a neural link. 416
• Banshees serve as essential companions in hunting, travel, and warfare. 416 434

Relationships

• Humans / “Sky People” — Initially exchanged gifts and education with the Na'vi, but became their enemies after environmental destruction and mining expansion. 397
• Avatars — Artificial human–Na'vi hybrids created from both human and Na'vi genes; their five fingers can expose their human origin to the Na'vi. 395 406
• Eywa / Pandora's will — The Na'vi's spiritual connection to Pandora was mediated through the Soul Tree and later the Willow Tree. 406 442
• Eytukan — Former chieftain whose death during the war with humans contributed to later leadership instability. 405 435
• Sutey — Eytukan's successor; challenged Jake Sully's rule and later became Na'vi chief. 401 442 447
• Jake Sully — A human-controlled Avatar who became a Na'vi leader, then was removed and exiled amid disputes over identity and legitimacy. 443 447
• Neytiri — Na'vi woman and Eytukan's daughter; fiercely opposed the Sky People after her sister was killed by them. 397

Story Role / Major Arcs

• First Contact and Guest Arc — The Na'vi capture and confront Chen Changsheng, Jake Sully, and Neytiri before Eytukan's tribe permits the outsiders to remain as special guests. 401 402 406
• Cultural Exchange Arc — Jake learns Na'vi customs, language, hunting, and mount bonding, while Chen Changsheng studies their society and their biological links with Pandora's creatures. 407 412 416
• Soul Tree War Arc — Human forces attack the Na'vi and destroy the Soul Tree, prompting a desperate Na'vi and Pandoran counterattack. 424 433 434
• Willow Tree Succession Arc — The destruction of the Soul Tree creates a crisis of faith and leadership, culminating in Sutey replacing Jake Sully as leader. 442 443
• Coexistence Era — Facing Avatar migration and reduced living space, the Na'vi unite and negotiate coexistence with humanity. 448 453

Notable Quotes

“Here, you are the aliens. Planet Pandora belongs to us. You aliens should go back to where you came from.” — Neytiri 399

Trivia

• Na'vi children once studied human knowledge under Grace before relations with the Sky People deteriorated. 397
• Later generations of Na'vi children use human-made radio communicators and are familiar with human technology. 437 438
• The Na'vi's largest tribes are far smaller than the million-person Avatar settlements later established on Pandora. 448