Metkayina Clan

The **Metkayina** are an oceanic Na'vi clan located on Pandora's reefs. The clan is led by Tonowari and Ronal who live in the clan's main village, Awa'atlu.

This clan makes use of their extensive and diverse habitat in many ways and has a close relationship with water; just as clans such as the Omatikaya and Olangi ride direhorses to trek the landmasses of Pandora, the Metkayina use ilus as their companion of choice for gliding across the Pandoran oceans.

## Culture and Habitat

The Metkayina live along the shores of the Pandoran oceans, on islands or near the mainland. Their homes are marui pods which are built into the roots of mangrove-like trees spanning the islands. These homes hang directly above the water presumably for easy access for swimming. Massive seawall terraces, similar in appearance to travertine terraces, guard the villages from strong waves and provide an easy place for the clan to fish. Some of the Metkayina villages have existed for thousands of years. Structures are constantly renewed but seldom replaced. The main village of Awa'atlu has small docks for canoes, a centralized ilu pen and communal areas for gathering, eating and the telling of tales and singing of songs.

The islands of the Metkayina and the waters surrounding them are home to many unique specimens of fauna and flora, such as the dorado verde, pincer fish, and papa mantis tree. The Cove of the Ancestors is an area sacred to the Metkayina.

The Metkayina have a close relationship with tulkuns, sentient, whale-like creatures of Pandora, and are able to communicate with them. The Metkayina consider them to be their siblings, with each member having a tulkun "spirit brother/sister", and share their religion. They have also domesticated ilus, using them as a mode of transport across the Pandoran oceans, much like direhorses of terrestrial Na'vi. During combat, skilled hunters of the Metkayina ride the skimwing; taming one is also a rite of passage into adulthood, similar to how mainland Na'vi must tame an ikran as they come of age.

They use Na'vi Sign Language to communicate with each other underwater, as well as with the tulkuns.

### Tattoos

The clan practices the art of tattooing and is the only clan currently known to do so. All of the tattoos are unique to the individual and chronicle their life. The locations of each tattoo carry a symbolic meaning: tattoos over the heart and chest symbolize the safe embrace of the central island. Arm tattoos represent the more exposed protective shield of the seawall. Thus, a hunter of the deep sea has densely tattooed arms and less on their chest.

The tattoos are considered a gift both from Eywa and the clan and are created with inks from special animals. The Olo'eyktan has the most intricate tattoos within the clan, spanning much of their body. Members receive their first tattoo after they complete all of their rites of passage into adulthood.

### Rites

Much like Omaticaya clan teenagers, young Metkayina members must complete a number of coming-of-age rituals, known to the Metkayina as *iknimaya*, before they can be considered adults. One of these rites includes bonding with a *tsurak* (skimwing), others are various tests with their tulkun spirit brother or sister. Once a Metkayina has completed all of these rites, they are bestowed with a special garment, their first tattoo, and three beads for their songcord.

## Biology

The Metkayina have adapted seemingly for an aquatic lifestyle, bearing considerable differences from mainland Na'vi. Their eyes are enlarged considerably and feature a blue color rather than yellow, their forearms and lower legs have expanded to include a fin-like structure known as a 'strake', and the tails are broadened to form a paddle shape and lack a tuft of hair at the end. They also have a nictitating membrane, or 'third eyelid'. Stronger upper bodies can be observed, especially in males, who also possess a slightly different chest structure from mainland males.

Curly hair appears to be the norm within the clan. Their skin also sways to a more green or turquoise color than the traditional blue, with fluid, ripple-like stripes. Like Terran sharks and other marine creatures, the Metkayina have distinct areas of lighter coloration on their underbellies and faces.

## Tonowari (Olo'eyktan)Ronal (Tsahik)Tsireya (Future Tsahik)AonungRotxoNeteyam (new member)Lo'ak (new member)Tuktirey (new member)Kiri (new member)NaiaMiles "Spider" Socorro (new member)Trivia

* The clan is known to be inspired by the Māori people of Earth, with Māori actors from the cast of the *Avatar* sequels working with James Cameron to incorporate elements of indigenous New Zealand cultures into the clan's customs and traditions. Notably, Cliff Curtis and James Cameron worked together to adapt a traditional haka dance into a Na'vi-inspired dance for the clan to perform, incorporating tail and ear movement. The tattoos of the clan also resemble traditional Māori tattoos in placement and style.
* The clan is also partially inspired by Melanesian people.
* In Flight of Passage from the Pandora: The World of Avatar theme park, riders led by Valke fly over a village built on the seashore that is likely the home of Clan Metkayina.*[citation needed]*