Baby Na'vi and Tulkun
First Breath is a ritual practiced by the Metkayina oceanic clan.
The First Breath is a highly symbolic birth ritual that takes place with the participation of the entire clan. It takes place in shallow water, and the Tsahìk helps the mother give birth to a child that emerges directly from the womb into the water. This is a symbol of Metkayina's deep connection to water, which is her second home. The newborn then has to swim out of the water on its own, which is a symbolic transition from this element to air. The name of the ritual refers to the first breath the child takes after surfacing.
This ritual is usually accompanied by the tulkun, Metkayina's spiritual brothers. If any of the females are also expecting their young, they often give birth at the same time as the Na'vi, emphasizing the spiritual bond between the two species.
Trivia[]
- Although the ritual is not explicitly depicted or named within the film, in the scene showing the return of the tulkun to Awa'atlu, newborns are shown swimming alongside the creatures, one of them surfacing accompanied by the tulkun.
Source[]
- Avatar: The Way of Water: The Visual Dictionary - Ronal's biography
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