The world of Pandora is about to reopen it’s doors: Are you prepared for the next chapter of the Avatar saga? While Avatar the Way of Water engaged audiences in the radiant coral reefs home to boundless aquatic oceans of the Metkayina Clan, the next chapter Avatar: Fire and Ash will take us to the opposite extreme: the stark, volatile lands of the Ash people. The introduction of the Na’vi clan , a people adapted to fire and Ash will not only expand Pandora’s ecology but will challenge the view the “forest good” and “human bad” narrative raising the stakes for the Sully family and the forest people.
Unique Cultural Characteristics
In previous Avatar films, director and co-screenwriter James Cameron introduced us to a variety of Na’vi tribes such as the Omatikya (the forest people) and the Metkayina (the ocean people). Typically, these tribes have shown honorable traits and characteristics such as peacefulness, nobility and a sense of a deep spiritual and environmental connection that honors and shows a deep respect for the Eywa. The Eywa is what is their deity, life force and fierce defense that protects their land and way of life from human encroachment. Furthermore, will this idea in mind James Cameron has gone in a new direction with the next chapter exposing us to a “darker side” of Na’vi tribes known as the Mangkwan clan (The Ash People), who have a different and unique sense of culture being that they reject the Eywa and resent her and the other Na’vi tribes. Because of this difference in culture and beliefs the Mangkwan clan are seen as more aggressive, temperamental and even isolationist. They are violent raiders seeking resources and are hostile towards the other Na’vi tribes to whom they attack.
Members of this clan led by their leader Varang live in the Ash village which was destroyed by a volcanic eruptions. Their envoirment is the polar opposite of the rainforest because they live in a volcanic biome. It’s made up of extreme heat, sulfurous air, and igneous rock formation. The volcanic regions of Pandora is seen as distinctly unique and beautiful its own way as it offers new color palettes to a verdant world utilizing colors such as red, black, and orange. Because of their proximity to the volcanic rocks and extreme heat they are able to craft useful weapons, tools, and armor that are metal and heat resistant materials such as obsidian in contrast to what the other tribes use like materials that are easily breakable with organic wood and bone.
Physical and Faunal Adaptations
As we previously talked about the Ash peoples envoirment there are certain physical faunal adaptions that these tribes have in order to live in a envoirment of extreme heat and sulfurous air. This mean the Ash people may exhibit features such as thicker skin and scale patches which protects them against the extreme heat. They also can exhibit heat resistant body paint which could be use for insulation or camouflage in their envoirment to invaders. Next, larger lungs which would be needed to filter volcanic gases and to handle heat stricken air. And lastly, the Ikran and Fauna which are their flying mounts and ground based mounts could contain features such as Asbestos-like Scales with protect them against the fire, black or red hides against black volcanic rock and bio -luminescence which would be located on their bellies or joints that help them navigate deep volcanic and smoky areas.
New Axis of Conflict: Varang and the Human Alliance
In this new chapter of Avatar, we will see what has never been done before in previous films. Na’vi fighting Na’vi. With the Mangkwan clan leader Varang there will be escalating conflict between tribes. The core question is why would a Na’vi clan be in alliance with the sky people? What is their motive ? Some could assume it has do with the centuries of continued old fued with the Omatikya and Mangkwan since the Sully family refuge viewing it as invasion of their territory. One can also assume they are doing it for food and technology and Quaritch has skillfully manipulated Varang and her people capitalizing on their anger and isolation. This will complicate the war for the Jake Sully as they not only have to fight humans but also have to out smart another tribe of Na’vi people that are more aggressive and fierce and have knowledge of Pandora making them have a advantage in battle.
The alliance between Varang and Quaritch changes everything. How do you predict the Ash People’s involvement will shape the final battle for Pandora? Let us know your theories before Avatar: Fire and Ash hits theaters this week!