Na'vi Sexuality

[Human No More]

It's debatable as to whether involvement is so close; I'd suggest it less of an active decision, more facilitating sharing memories and thoughts being a part of it, so they'd know themselves if it's right or not

As for physiologically, no, tsaheylu != mating; mating is in the normal manner as confirmed by JC.

[Taronu 'ewan]

The Pandora Survival guide is a pretty good read. From what I can gather, the Na'vi can have non emotional "flings" like we humans do with the exception of wanting a "Soul Mate". To want a Soul Mate the Na'vi will mate in a sacred site close to "Eywa" (The Tree of Voices) for example, and conduct tsahaylu (The bond). The couples spirits are visible for both to see (each can see what they are getting as a potential mate). Eywa too can see this, and will oversee the mating process to evaluate whether the couple are suited to be mated: "For Life". If approval is given by Eywa, the couple are a "Mated Pair" and no one shall come between them. This couple will then eventually procreate to produce a family (Thus ensuring the balance of life) is just and honourable.
As for the part about the sexual goodies of each participant, according to the survival guide, all the genital parts are no different to ours kiddies!! Everything is the same. Only difference, the breasts of the Na'vi women do not lactate (do not produce milk for the offspring), they are purely to define the sexes.
Forgot to mention: Neytiri is DAMN HOT WOW!!

[Rainbowhawk1993]

Originally Posted by Taronu 'ewan

Only difference, the breasts of the Na'vi women do not lactate (do not produce milk for the offspring), they are purely to define the sexes.

Where did you get that info? If they don't breast feed their new borns, what do the new borns eat for the first months of their lives?

[Raiden]

Originally Posted by Rainbowhawk1993

Where did you get that info? If they don't breast feed their new borns, what do the new borns eat for the first months of their lives?

I have no idea, but it's bull****.

The Na'vi, by our definition, are mammals.

There's no way of knowing (yet?) whether or not they are placental mammals, but there is no purpose to have breasts other than to house mammary glands.

Natural selection does not impart traits on animals on a whim. If it no longer serves a purpose, it slowly disappears, and if it proves useful, it becomes stronger (so long as the purpose remains viable).

Also, the Survival Guide is semi-canon at best. It was written and developed before the film was finalized (some of the pictures in it can be found in the "making of" book under concept development), and contains facts and data about the ecology and biology of Pandora that do not make any sense.

The Na'vi are mammals with mammary glands. This does not make them placental mammals, but they might have something analogous to a placenta during pregnancy and childbirth.

As for mating...Na'vi probably do not have "flings". You're applying human psychology to a society of hypermonogamistic aliens; humans have their own ideas of what mating is, based on what we are taught and also based on an innate understanding of how to mate. Snakes aren't taught how to mate, and yet male snakes somehow know that they need to wrap their tail around the female's tail in order to copulate properly. Male and female frogs aren't taught or told what amplexus is, yet they both know the proper formation for it and how to fertilize the egg mass; this stems from an innate understanding how to mate, and is not taught.

Taking this into account, one might say that tsaheylu between mates is a facet of Na'vi mating regardless of why it is happening, because it is an innate part of their "sexuality", or "sense of mating".

Since tsaheylu between mates is biologically permanent, I doubt that casual sex would occur prior to pair bonding/ritualized mating, because tsaheylu is an innate part of mating to them, and because their society is so stoutly founded in monogamy.

[Clarke]

Originally Posted by Raiden

Since tsaheylu between mates is biologically permanent...

Do we actually know that? Neytiri mentions that Jake and her are, but she isn't going to make the distinction between her cultural customs and actual biology.

[Human No More]

Originally Posted by Taronu 'ewan

The Pandora Survival guide is a pretty good read. From what I can gather, the Na'vi can have non emotional "flings" like we humans do with the exception of wanting a "Soul Mate". To want a Soul Mate the Na'vi will mate in a sacred site close to "Eywa" (The Tree of Voices) for example, and conduct tsahaylu (The bond). The couples spirits are visible for both to see (each can see what they are getting as a potential mate). Eywa too can see this, and will oversee the mating process to evaluate whether the couple are suited to be mated: "For Life". If approval is given by Eywa, the couple are a "Mated Pair" and no one shall come between them. This couple will then eventually procreate to produce a family (Thus ensuring the balance of life) is just and honourable.
As for the part about the sexual goodies of each participant, according to the survival guide, all the genital parts are no different to ours kiddies!! Everything is the same. Only difference, the breasts of the Na'vi women do not lactate (do not produce milk for the offspring), they are purely to define the sexes.
Forgot to mention: Neytiri is DAMN HOT WOW!!

...ah, no.

The ASG is dubious at best and outright wrong in many places. The Na'vi are mammals; the only counter indication is one VERY early interview where JC also called Pandora a planet and said Jake had no legs. They looked like this back then.

The ASG is like the game; it's not accurate or authoritative. Information that is counteracted by canon and by bluray deleted scenes is an example.

As for the wiki, to be honest, it's a wiki. Anyone can put their own speculation on there. That's all that needs to be said there.

[Raiden]

Originally Posted by Clarke

Do we actually know that? Neytiri mentions that Jake and her are, but she isn't going to make the distinction between her cultural customs and actual biology.

It's educated speculation on my part.

If two Na'vi need to link in order for a pair bond to form, there has to be something going on physiologically.

This is supported by the fact that the queue likely needs an entirely new and different region of the brain to support itself; it would require this in order to work, just like the different regions of the human brain control and regulate other parts of the body.

[Moco Loco]

Originally Posted by Raiden

As for mating...Na'vi probably do not have "flings". You're applying human psychology to a society of hypermonogamistic aliens; humans have their own ideas of what mating is, based on what we are taught and also based on an innate understanding of how to mate. Snakes aren't taught how to mate, and yet male snakes somehow know that they need to wrap their tail around the female's tail in order to copulate properly. Male and female frogs aren't taught or told what amplexus is, yet they both know the proper formation for it and how to fertilize the egg mass; this stems from an innate understanding how to mate, and is not taught.

Taking this into account, one might say that tsaheylu between mates is a facet of Na'vi mating regardless of why it is happening, because it is an innate part of their "sexuality", or "sense of mating".

Since tsaheylu between mates is biologically permanent, I doubt that casual sex would occur prior to pair bonding/ritualized mating, because tsaheylu is an innate part of mating to them, and because their society is so stoutly founded in monogamy.

As everybody always says, tsaheylu isn't the same as mating, and actually isn't even necessary for mating. I'm inclined to give Pandorapedia credit on this one and say there's no reason they can't have flings, but as with everything, there's no knowing for sure for now.

Originally Posted by Clarke

Do we actually know that? Neytiri mentions that Jake and her are, but she isn't going to make the distinction between her cultural customs and actual biology.

I find it more easy to believe that "mating for life" really is mating for life for reasons that Raiden can explain better than I. I guess we aren't really told, but until we hear differently, it's safer to assume it means what it seems like it means.

Edit: Ninja'd, that's what I get for being a slow poster. Good stuff Raiden

[txim_asawl]

Reading about Eywa's involvement in a mating (blessing or disapproving it) reminded me of the matin urge within the elves of "ElfQuest", where male and female elves can experience something called "Recognition", occuring when two elves with a great genetic setup meet and an innate mechanism triggers, making them having to mate - whether they wish it, or not. In the ideal case, those two elves have been lovemates or even lifemates, before Recognition kicks in... but sometimes, it can be very random, and, if the urge isn't answered, even making the two elves very sick, too...

Sources:

Elves (Elfquest) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Answers to FAQ's about Recognition » ElfQuest Social Network

Hmm, I should re-read the Big ElfQuest Gatherum again...

Wiggling bare toes,

~*Txim Asawl*~

[Lyra]

(c) Lesbian Na'vi Tribes. Lyra 2010.

[Taronu 'ewan]

Two sites with James Cameron interviews on the Na'vi breasts issues.
James Cameron Discusses Na’vi Boobs | Lightly Buzzed

James Cameron Explains Why The Na'vi Have Breasts
Not a biggie really, I like titties whether they function for child rearing or not, who cares??
The Na'vi sheilas certainly look hot with a pair of norks, rather than without, and this is what JC wanted as well,:"the females have to have tits."

[Human No More]

Just because the interviewer has the wrong idea doesn't validate it. They are mammals by any measure that people care to use. Again, this was the early concept art around the time of the interview they like to cite; which clearly has nothing to do with the final designs.

[Neyfan]

I've also read a few fan fictions dealing with human/Na'vi pairings. That would be a challenge. For obvious reasons. Some humans do find the Na'vi beautiful and amazing. For example say a guy and a female Na'vi meet and well nature and emotions for both do the rest. Physically they can mate. No offspring really. I also read Na'vi sexuality is a tad more raw than in humans with more instinct going into the act itself than self control. Again this is a what if scenario. Say Norm met a Na'vi who likes him and later sees him in his human body after learning his Avatar was injured. Neytiri also knew it was Jake in his human body as well.

[Omatikaya Tsamsiyu]

Originally Posted by na'vi hero

i had a dream that tsu'tey made tsaheylu with meand i was like ohh **** and omfg oh my ****ing god

How was it n' how did it look like? Was Tsu'Tey friendly? Just asking TT hates Skypeople