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.

[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

[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

[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.

[Niri Te]

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

[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.

[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 :/

[Marvellous Chester]

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

[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.

[Mika]

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.

[apache_blanca]

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

I do some beading but Very simple. However, I always liked story-telling - 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 (I don't need halucinogenic worms for that, a good meditation, or "just a dream" is enough, I guess I am simply talented! *modest* (not))