Mangkwan Clan

Mangkwan Clan
D3 2024 Concept Art.
Clan Information
Alt. name	Ash People
Location	Ash Village, Pandora
Leader	Varang
Behind the Scenes
First seen	Avatar: The Next Shadow (mentioned only)
Last seen	Avatar: Fire and Ash

The Mangkwan Clan, also known as the Ash People, is a Na'vi clan in Avatar: Fire and Ash led by Varang. They live in an Ash Village.

They are one of the two new clans featured in Avatar: Fire and Ash, along with the Tlalim clan.

History

The Mangkwan clan once lived in ways not much different from the Omatikaya. There once was a gigantic hometree in the center of their village. However, a volcanic eruption has befallen them, turning their hometree into a charred stump and their village into a desolate place of ash. As such, their survivors resent nature and everything held dear by forest-based Na'vi, including Eywa. They have a dark and hostile perspective on the world.

Avatar: The Next Shadow

Following the attempt on Jake Sully's life during the First Blood ritual, Ateyo, Artsut, and their son Arvok were exiled from the Omatikaya clan. They set out on a journey in search of the Mangkwan clan, who could receive them despite their crimes. But during a break, an argument broke out, as a result of which Arvok separated from his parents to go his own way instead of going with them. In turn, Ateyo and Artsut probably came to the Mangkwan clan, but whether or not they were accepted is unknown.

Avatar: Fire and Ash

The stump of a hometree stands in the center of the Ash Village.

The 2025 film is the first time that the Mangkwan clan will be seen/visited by the audience.

Culture

Art of a hooded Na'vi covered in what may be blood.

Very little about their clan's lifestyle and traditions are known before the volcanic eruption. After, it is said they began to accept outcast Na'vi who have murdered other Na'vi. In concept art, they are depicted wearing bags over the heads, and wear either red paint or blood on their skin.

The Mangkwan are atypical of Na'vi clans in that while their brethren revere the natural world, the Mangkwan are 'disconnected' from it. Fire is at the heart of their culture.

In concept art, the clan members seem to have an emaciated and skinny appearance, except for Varang. This portrays this clan as survivors, but also hints that Varang acts as their olo’eyktan whose welfare is prioritized over the rest of the clan. It also hints at the clan's lack of cooperation and sympathy with other clans, as sharing, caring and providing for fellow Na'vi is integral to general Na'vi culture. Their appearance also ties into the clan living in a volcanic area which presumably does not have much plant life.

List of Known Clan Members

Avatar: The Next Shadow

Ateyo ♂

(potential member)

Artsut ♀

(potential member)

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Varang ♀

(olo’eykte)

Trivia

• "Mangkwan" is not standard Na’vi, since kw is not a permitted consonant cluster. Paul Frommer said he would discuss this eventually.
• Prior to confirmation from James Cameron at D3 2024, the Mangkwan clan and the announcement of the Ash People clan were thought by fans to be two separate clans.
• They probably do not care about breaking the Three Laws of Eywa as they do not follow Eywa. In concept art (seen below), some members are seen using human weapons.
• The clan was first mentioned in Avatar: The Next Shadow. Ateyo and Artsut traveled to the Mangkwan clan expecting to be welcomed only there, after they were exiled by Jake Sully. Artsut mentions that the Mangkwan clan is willing to welcome into their clan someone who has murdered another Na'vi. The reason why this clan would accept outcasts in their clan is unclear.
• The Mangkwan clan losing their connection to Eywa via a volcanic event draws a parallel to the known past history of the Omatikaya clan. In Toruk - The First Flight, around 3000 years ago the Tree of Souls was almost destroyed by a lava flow from a volcanic eruption. The effort of saving the tree led to the creation of first Toruk Makto.
  • Speculation: This similarity of the Mangkwan may represent a juxtaposition / an alternative version of what the Omatikaya could have potentially become had the Omatikaya failed in their mission.

Themes

• According to James Cameron, the Mangkwan are a reflection of the worst elements of the Na'vi. He has indicated that the clan is inspired by the real world, noting that "We [humanity] have a lot of anger and a lot of rage in the world we live in right now."
• Thematically, the Mangkwan represent disconnection from nature, whereas other Na'vi clans represent connection.

Gallery

Riding nightwraiths and banshees

Concept art

Appearances

Title	Format	Release date	Details
Avatar: The Next Shadow	Comic book	April 14, 2021	Issue 4
		September 1, 2021	Trade paperback
Avatar: Fire and Ash	Film	December 19, 2025