What Na'vi Indigenous Skills are you Learning - other than Languange
 

I was just going to add this as an update to my Na'vi Inspired Jewelry Thread, but then I realised, that it would make for an interesting sharing for everyone to talk about, if and how they are practicing learning Na'vi Indigenous Skills.

I've just got back from the library with some great resouce books on micro-macrame (what most ususally refer to as Hemp Braiding, but expanded). I'm wanting to try and keep the Jewelry with as much 'traditional' feel as I can, and so decided to look at traditional cultures bead working techniques.

So my list of Na'vi Skills that I'm actually practicing and doing right now are:

Bead working and Braiding, with my Jewelry making

Weaving - i'm doing small off-loom projects known as 'pin weaving'

Drumming - as in playing on a traditional deer hide Native American one

Macrame - is actually something I used to do years ago, large projects including the basinett that all three of my children slept in when they were wee babies. Although it would be a bit ambitious, its also the technique one would use for Hammock making.

Eventually I would like to take up Willow Branch Furntiture making, as it seems to me that would be consistent with the type of weaving that the Na'vi do for their shields and large structures.

:)

Looking forward to hearing what others are learning along this journey!

***

I suppose styling my wig might count in a very specific sort of way. Other than that, possibly sewing, though I don't do much.

Wow what a detailed and impressive list Mika.
I'm trying to craft bows and twist together raw materials to make bowstrings. Though I haven't updated on that for quite some time.

I know how to track things, but I've known how to do that for a while already.

I tracked coyote prints to a kill once; it was pretty exciting.

None. And sadly, I had my shot at archery, but I missed out. :(

Right now, not much :(
I do intend to get a bow and learn eventually, but right now lack both the money and anywhere suitable for practice :(

WAY TO GO RAIDEN !!!
I am an excellent tracker, shooter, and good bow shot, (I haven't practiced in a looong while, so I would only rate myself as a "good" bow shot now).
But these, and my deep belief that the animals are my brothers, and the way I conduct myself on the hunt, are things I learned from the native side of my family since childhood, the thing that I am trying to learn now is the Na'vi language.
If the truth be known, I received workbooks and tapes on Tsalagi over a DECADE ago, but after the treatment that I received from MANY of the clan concerning my gift of being a "Two Spirit", I never had much drive to study it, while I have the same desire to master Na'vi despite my brain injuries, that I had to learn Samoan.
Niri Te

I have a bow, and have gone hunting, and practiced archery before. Never made a kill though. (Hunting was with a bow btw)

I also have worked on the flint and steel fire starting, but haven't gotten a true fire. I've gotten a flame to burn for a few minus, but did not get it to go into a full fire. They make it look so easy on those survival shows. In reality when you learn, there's a good chance you sit on your knees for an hours, and you run out of flint before you get a fire.

I also practice tying knots occasionally, and read up on, but do not practice building different kinds of shelters.

I also work on identifying different species of plants and trees correctly in the wild.

Theorist,
I tried to look at your profile to see how old you are, but there was nothing to go on there. In 11 days, I turn 62, so it is a safe bet that you, like most on this site are younger than me. that being said, don't sell yourself short, you have time to learn these things, and I am sure that you will.
I have lived my life at a hundred and ten percent, and will continue to do so, for whatever years I have left, it's just the way that I am put together.
Take it one day at a time, you aren't assured of the next heartbeat. Live every moment like it is your last, and you will do more living in your time here than most people would in THREE lifetimes.
Eywa ngahu,
Ia Fa'a manuia le ATTUA ia te oe, (Samoan)
Niri Te

That's impressive! Where did you learn this? Don't think I'd be able to track a snail right in front of me rofl.

Same here :/
Wanted to do archery since I was a child... And even more since Avatar. Hope I'll be able to do that one day.
Plus I'd like to be able to track things and hunt them down with my bow, but yeah... That'll be kinda hard to do here in the region I live in :/

Oh this is a cool thread :)

Currently learning foraging and herbalism as these two go pretty much hand in hand.

Also trying to learn how to make clothes from materials like fur/leather, it's harder than I thought it would be :P

Even if I can't hunt with it (impossible due to location, really), I just wish I had somewhere I could learn and practice by myself (especially since I want to learn the Na'vi style and not the typical one :) ); everywhere here is an organised type thing, and mostly too far away for me to reasonably get to.

This is an amazing thread, and glad to see and hear about others skills, and dramings. :)

Archery is definetly one I think is on a lot of our wish lists, like others righr now its only something I practice ... in my minds eye on Pandora!

But I have started to add learning Na'vi language to my list, which will keep me challenged for a while.

Mika, did you make the bead jewelry you were wearing in Seattle 2011 Meetup???¨O-O :awesome:

I do some beading but Very simple. However, I always liked story-telling :rolleyes: - I didn't see much in Avatar, but maybe in Avatar 2? altho yes there was singing, just when Jake went to sit with the Na'vi at the fire for the first time. It was the Weaver's Song - Hunter of Glade posted the lyrics somewhere on ToS.

And ooh, Dreamhunting is my thing too :rolleyes: :rolleyes: (I don't need halucinogenic worms for that, a good meditation, or "just a dream" is enough, I guess I am simply talented! :xD: *modest* (not))

:) Hey Apache!

The bead jewelry I wore at the meetup, I didn't make, but they are traditional pieces that I found on my travels, and are the inpirations for my own pieces that I'm working on.

Story-telling is an incredible gift, I hope we will get to hear (see) sone of yours, that would be amazingly wonderful! :)

I like how you say that 'dream-hunting', like you I experiece that a lot, and so too as a 'natural', withot ever having used stimulants.

*Big HUGS* my tsmuke, thank you for sharing and adding those.

I read some books, and some people taught me a few things.

It takes practice, and a certain frame of mind.

So, there's no field within ten miles of where you live? I find that hard to believe.

I'm afraid that you don't understand something about the great majority of Europe Moco Loco, the Government, and private, "Landed" family's OWN 95 percent of it. If there IS a field down the road, and it is not owned by the Crown, or Government, then it is owned by a family that has owned it for hundreds of years, and he can be ARRESTED for Trespassing just for being ON IT, and if he is caught on it with a Bow and arrow, they can add POACHING to the charges. A lot of Americans have NO IDEA how Blessed we are for living here.

Brie

Not quite. Where I live unless it's someone's garden, there isn't much privately owned land - I'd need to drive for a while to get there, and there isn't really any huntable wildlife (too close to the coast and a lack of the right kind of forest). Technically, you're only trespassing in any case if there are clear signs forbidding access or physical security, or people are asked to leave and don't. Publicly owned land isn't restricted unless it's some kind of official purpose.

There's a nice open green space a short bus ride or long walk away which theoretically would work for practice... except I'd be more worried about some kind of health and safety person coming over and saying it's dangerous to practice there or something. Either way, I mostly just think I'd need a garden or some private land that I could use to do it for that reason.

HNM, I would say to just go for it. I used to go over to a local field which was technically public ground to shoot my air rifle off at all kinds of bottles and cans... *That* was actually somewhat worse than bow and arrow shooting... However I woud only suggest this under a few provisos; Firstly, is the route to the field relatively clear? To get to where I need to be, I only need to walk roughly 300 meters, and most of that is through side-streets, very few main roads or people. Second, does where you have in mind to shoot have an area of bracing land behind it? If you shot something, would it carry on? Where I used to shoot, it was braced by about a 150 meter stretch of woods that led down to a river in the direction I was shooting in, so there was little danger I could hit someone or something behind, it was likely to get caught up in undergrowth. However, I don't know how practical that would be for ammunition you need to recollect. Shooting into a bank would help with that, but could damage the arrows. Thirdly, if you want to transport it, I would definitely suggest a case or padded bag of some sort. (Maybe you could even make one from natural materials as a side project?) Last, I would suggest this; if you are found with a bow, it is not illegal to carry one in the UK. It has to be proven to be adapted for use on other humans before they could prosecute you, the arrows could indeed fall under the Offensive Articles section if openly carried, but the most they would likely do (provided you offered a reasonable explaination/reaction and did not try to escape them if questioned about it) would be to confiscate them for pick up later at the local police station, but I wouldn't be surprised if they let you off with a verbal warning to take them back home with you.

Fun Archery fact; It is still legal for an Englishman to kill a Scotsman with a bow and arrow within the walls of the city of York. :P

Yeah, well, there's a road to one side, so that's out, and some woods to the other sides, which is probably a bit better since they're up a slope from it on most. Getting there involves a long walk mostly along main roads or a bus, but where I live, you often see stranger things than someone carrying a bow :P, and I figured as much about legality but good to hear it from someone with a little related experience.

Even in Brooklyn, I could probably find a spot in the park. I'm not saying you won't get told something, just give it a try. I've definitely shot a bow in areas I wasn't technically allowed to and gotten away with it.

hiya :) you know what, I was looking at you - in Seattle Meetup 2011 video (courtesy tsmukan Alan) , your jewellery, your clothes & thinking: "That's another great way of stating that one is "one of the clan". Cosplaying is great & probably the best way but it requires A Lot of sacrifice & effort - several hours of just body-paint & months of preparation (& money, too). I really admire cosplayers but I don't think I am up to That much work. However your Na'vi-blue clothes & bright tribal jewellery seem a different wonderful option to say the same thing: "I am one of the people". I bet the Na'vi would love your beads & would want to touch them, like little kids touching Grace's headband!

aw irayo :shy:- I do hope for Sharing stories! I see some very colourful & amazing clan members on our ToS forum, I am sure we all have something interesting & entertaining to tell, a short story or a long one, or just a joke - we'll see, what, but I can see us sitting around that campfire, talking singing laughing... yeah! it would be good.

yeah! I can't call it an indigenous "skill" - but rather a practice. It's a great thing, I wish Dreamhunting scene were included in the movie... Ah well maybe in the sequel... :rolleyes:

*HUGS* to you! :)

Doing some researching on Traditional Weaving I came across this website which has some information on 'learning primitive skills' based of Native American's

Eagle Goes Dancing - Eagle Goes Dancing

He makes reference to another web resource Paleo Planet but when i try to access it - it seems defunct. But i did find this one and though i haven 't checked out all his links, he seems to have quite a bit of information

Primitive Skills -

Primitive Skills - About Me

~'~

It's very awesome to see others interested in aboriginal/primitive living skills. A great deal can be said for the feeling you get when you go back to the start, knowing what you can create with just your hands as people did for hundreds of years or knowing that you can interact with nature on a level lost to most modern people.

I myself am an avid woodsman, I've been through a couple of different style survival courses, and have even learned a thing or two from some tribes within the areas I have lived. I'm pretty decent with woodland survival and am currently working with more focus on herbalism and being able to better read the signs of the land to help aid in my tracking.

I have many thanks to The Cheyenne Tribe who adopted me as one of the people.
I hunt with bow and arrows, I ride horses and also hunt while riding. I can track and read the forest. Plus I make my own bow and arrows as well.

Ma tsmuk Daker,
It warms my heart to see someone who was allowed by a native people to become one OF those people, and both realized, and appreciated the great gift that they were given.
ta Niri Te

I revere you. It's amazing, that they accept you like one of them...

I tryed something of Na'vi things and I find I can do only two things good: archery and flying. I thing I'm not bad in humans archery style, but when I try Na'vi style, all my arrows flys left :D
And flying? It have one big problem - ikran. So I've ikran replaced by an airplane. It's not same, but beautiful too :)

Do you compete in Archery while on Horseback? I have seen Hungarians do that, and it is something to watch, do the Czech's do it too?
Niri Te

I haven't seen anyone to do this. And I'm not good horse rider (some times I ride, but if I want go faster I've to fall like Jake :D ), so I would not try it now.
Do any one here doing this? (without Dakar?)

Rewon lefpom ma Zrina Ni'awve !
Kehe, ma Tsmuk, I have never seen anyone here in this Country compete with archery from a running Horse.
How we DO compete on Horseback, is in "Cowboy Action" Shooting events. Ateyo and I both compete in Cowboy action, where everyone dresses up in 1880's clothing, and shoots new (for safety), Rifles, Pistols, and Shotguns.
One of the events, is a "Mounted" (on a horse running at full speed), event. In all our other events, we have old style solid lead, rather than modern jacketed bullets, with people standing behind us, as we compete. We are scored by by shooting for speed and accuracy against steel targets, you can hear the bullets hit the steel.
In the mounted event, we are weaving around barrels as fats as the horse can go, (this event is scored both by speed and accuracy), and there are people all around, so we CAN'T use bullets, we use "blanks" that have a hard piece of cardboard packed tightly over the powder, which DOES get shot out of the barrel, and travels for about 70 feet. The targets are balloons that are tied to stands, that if you shoot at from 20 to 30 feet away, the cardboard will "pop" the balloon, yet all the spectators are safe. It is a LOT of fun, both to compete in, and to watch. ALL of us who compete, love to watch each other compete as well.
HERE is the website of the Mounted Cowboy Shooting Association. If you let it load all the way up, there will be a section towards the center top of the page, where you can select, and watch some of the competitions, including the Men's and Women's World Record runs. ENJOY!!

Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association "CMSA" - The Fastest Growing Equine Sport In The Nation

Let me know what you think of the event, ma tsmuk.
Niri Te

Shooting from horseback would be so amazingly cool, I have never seen anybody do it with a great degree of accuracy though.

Then look at THIS. It begins with a ceremony, so if you are in a hurry, bear with it, you will be glad that you did.

kassai_05_09.mpg - YouTube

These people are good, there are videos of Native Americans doing the same thing elsewhere on the web.
ta Niri Te

HERE is more on the reborn Martial Skill, that had ALL of Europe one time saying, "GOD save us from the arrows of the Hungarian Horsemen".

Traditional Horseback Archery Enjoys Revival in Hungary - YouTube

ta Niri Te

The Silver Stag: I have agree. They're so skilled. Their arrows are true in high speed. It looks awescome (if you can it, I can't) from Niri Te's video!

And Niri te: Your cowboy competetion can be fun, but I prefer bow and arrows (in horoscope I'm Sagittaurus - I don't know, but I've loved archery from my childhood :D). If I go to the USA, I will go see it ;)

You could try practice the "one match fire" first. Meaning to try to make a fire with one single lit match. That way you can see how to build a fire once you have a flame. If that works, you can try again getting to the flame with flint&steel or bowdrill - and then be sure that you will not loose the flame afterwards. I found it not to be too hard to do these with the proper equipment. It has to be the right kind of steel, flint and tinder or the right kind of woods and string for the bowdrill.

What do you mean by that? I guess I missed something here :s

Oi - that should not be hard at all. I dont know about the UK, but here in Germany, there are dozens of archery clubs around. Of course most are "boring" ones with straw disks as targets and people shooting not only wooden but also modern bows - but hey, its archery. We even had a really affordable course option at the university sports center here. And then we have plenty of clubs doing "hunting archery" - not really killing animals, that is forbidden by law, but setting up a parcours in the forest with plastic foam animals - this is a lot of fun. I am sad that I did not have the time for it in a while.

Also, my second self-made bow is still not even close to be finished :( - also because of little time. I wanted to make a stronger one than the one I made first.

Sounds cool. Here in Germany, bows and arrows are considered a sports equipment and one is allowed to carry it as long as it is not ready to shoot. The situation of where one is allowed to actually practice that sport is another issue - some say that as long as one does it safely, it is basically allowed in any open space. But I guess the police would differ in opinion. I once was carrying my bow and arrow across the city after a training and was stopped by the police. In the end of that encounter, they wanted to know where one can do traditional "hunting-style" archery in my city :P

That sadly is because of the technique itself. It simply is not working as well. It has to do with the drag of the fingers on the string and on the arrow. One can shoot with that method, but the accuracy is not that great and it takes a lot more concentration and is a lot more risky. I tried a modification of the NA'Vi technique by using the same style of holdign the string, but by placing the arrow on the other side of the bow. That works rather well actually, because then the twist of the string is again similar to regular style archery.

What else have I done - I tanned a leather once, want to try it by myself sometime, though I am not sure it is that easy because the last time it was 6 people or so all pulling at that leather in different directions to make is smooth - alone, one would have to use a frame and a stick probably.

I am doing some sewing, some weaving (tablet weaving in particular) and if you want to call it a Na'vi skill I did prepare some insects to eat :P

Cool, what kind? I didn't even think of that, though I guess it's not something I do anymore. I used to work at a kiosk of insect foods at a bug zoo around here.

There are a few around that I saw, but it's all the organised type, where they teach things and not where I could just turn up and teach myself to do it Na'vi style :(
That hunting one sounds more interesting, I'll have to take another look for things like that.

Got enough problems with AFK stuff right now though, it'll be at the very least a few months before I can really do anything, probably more.