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

[Mika]

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!

***

[Moco Loco]

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.

[Pa'li Makto]

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.

[Raiden]

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.

[Niri Te]

Originally Posted by Raiden

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.

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

[rasomaso]

Originally Posted by Raiden

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.

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.

[Raiden]

Originally Posted by rasomaso

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.

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

It takes practice, and a certain frame of mind.

[Crickett]

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

[Human No More]

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

[Eana Unil]

Originally Posted by Human No More

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

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 :/

[Human No More]

Originally Posted by Eana Unil

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 :/

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.

[Moco Loco]

Originally Posted by Human No More

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.

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

[Niri Te]

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

Originally Posted by Moco Loco

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

[Human No More]

Originally Posted by Moco Loco

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

Originally Posted by taylorcraftbc65

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.

[Theorist]

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.