Neytiri

Neytiri te Tskaha Mo'at'ite is a character in the Avatar franchise, created by James Cameron. She is a princess of the Na'vi clan, Omaticaya, Neytiri is a skilled hunter and tracker, Neytiri is depicted in a statue jumping above the waters of Pandora.

Neytiri is a tall and slender girl that stands at average height for a Na'vi with the willowy, athletic build of one who knows well the ways of Pandora's perilous forests. She keeps her black hair at medium length in myriad thin braids, often decorating them with colorful feathers and beaded clasps. She possesses the signature tiger-striped skin pattern, though their contrasting azure shades blend together on her face and belly, with bioluminescent markings appearing like a dusting of freckles across her cheeks, nose and forehead. Other marks appear as gently curving lines running down the sides of her chest and stomach and the undersides of her arms. Her golden eyes are intent and piercing.

Though ordained to follow in her mother's footsteps as the spiritual guide for her people, Neytiri's temperament is more suited to a natural hunter or warrior. Willful and decisive in conflict, she trusts her own instincts and practiced abilities. She is a creature of great passion, saying exactly what is on her mind, and is more inclined to lead with her heart than with logic. This can make her quick to anger and slow to trust, but she is a stalwart friend and loving confidante once that barrier is crossed. While not above questioning her own people's beliefs and traditions, Neytiri's love for Eywa is unshakable and deeply personal.

Neytiri was born the younger of two girls to Eytukan and Mo'at of the Omaticaya clan. From an early age, she was raised and trained in the ways of her people, of the forest where they made their home, then hunt and the kill, the song and celebration of life, with nurturing Eywa resting at the heart of all her lessons. She had always been told of the destiny that awaited her, and attended closely to that training, but hers was a nature not content merely with peaceful meditation and communion. She freely embraced the more dangerous aspects of Na'vi life, sometimes at the risk of upsetting her parents, but her earnest desire to know all the faces of her home and therefore better know Eywa swayed them. Her growing skills as a hunter also endeared her to Tsu'tey, the young male who had long ago been selected to be Eytukan's successor. Neytiri grew alongside Tsu'tey and respected his prowess as a warrior, but with little affection for his stoic and brash demeanor. Though she trusted the wisdom of her parents' decision, thoughts of her future life with him sent her seeking solace alone within the canopy of the forest on more than one occasion.

And even then, she was not always alone. Neytiri's older sister Sylwanin was a constant source of comfort while growing up. She always had a kind word ready to bolster Neytiri's spirits or a humorous story to alleviate the greatest worry. Storytelling was Sylwanin's gift, and some of Neytiri's fondest memories were of evenings spent curled up at her sister's feet, listening to old tales made new. When the Sky People first made their presence known to the Omaticaya, Neytiri was intrigued by these strange beings and eagerly accepted the idea of learning at Grace Augustine's school. Both she and Sylwanin enjoyed the lessons, but seeing more of the Sky People made Neytiri realize that not many humans possessed the same kindness and respect for Eywa's gifts.

Disputes broke out between the Na'vi and the Sky People over the mistreatment of the land. Neytiri worried, but continued her lessons and friendship with Grace, convinced that understanding between the two races was still possible. But sweet Sylwanin grew angrier with the Sky People's behavior and refused to be consoled. She stopped attending the school and began to verbally lash out against the humans. The breaking point finally came when Sylwanin and several other Na'vi youths set fire to one of the towering metal beasts in the human camp. Neytiri was sitting in Grace's school when her sister, wide-eyed with fear, burst into the room, followed closely by enraged shouting and a sound like thunder...

After the death of the children, Eytukan declared that the Omaticaya would have nothing further to do with the Sky People. Neytiri's sadness at losing her friendship with Grace was eclipsed by her grief for her sister, and anger at the humans that had taken her. She spent more time alone than ever after that, hunting in the forest or flying with her banshee Seze, eager to carry out her father's commands should any of the outsiders cross into Omaticaya lands.

The Na'vi greeting "I See You" or Oel ngati kameie is used by members of all clans on Pandora to greet each other. It has many variations, but the most common is Oel ngati kameie. There is also a quicker version of the greeting that is a hand gesture. To perform the gesture, press all three fingers to your forehead and then sweep them down to the bridge of your nose before moving your hand away from your face in a downward motion