In the world of Avatar, the Na’vi people are known for their deep connection to nature, especially through their worship of Eywa, the guiding force of Pandora. But in Avatar 3, titled Fire and Ash, we meet a new group called the Fire Tribe, or the Mangkwan clan, who have turned away from this tradition. Their rejection of nature is a major theme in the story, and understanding why they make this choice helps us see the bigger conflicts in the movie.
The Fire Tribe lives in a harsh, volcanic wasteland, far from the lush forests and oceans we saw in the first two films. Their home is dangerous, filled with fire, ash, and constant threats from the land itself. This environment shapes their beliefs and their way of life. Unlike other Na’vi, who see Eywa as a protector and a source of life, the Fire Tribe feels abandoned by her. They believe Eywa did not protect them when a volcano erupted, causing great suffering and loss for their people[1]. This betrayal by nature, in their eyes, is the main reason they reject Eywa and the old ways.
Their leader, Varang, is a strong and angry figure who pushes her people to embrace violence and self-reliance instead of faith in Eywa[2][6]. She teaches that relying on nature is foolish, because nature can be cruel and unpredictable. The Fire Tribe’s rejection is not just about belief—it is also about survival. In their world, trusting Eywa did not save them from disaster, so they choose to trust only in themselves and their own strength. This makes them very different from the other Na’vi clans, who still follow Eywa and live in harmony with the environment.
The Fire Tribe’s rejection of nature also leads them to team up with the human villains, like Quaritch, who want to exploit Pandora for its resources[3]. By working with humans, the Fire Tribe hopes to gain power and protection, even if it means going against their own people. This alliance shows how far they are willing to go to survive and get revenge for their suffering. Their actions create a new kind of conflict in the story, where the battle is not just between humans and Na’vi, but also between different groups of Na’vi who have very different ideas about how to live.
The Sully family, who are the main characters of the series, must face the Fire Tribe and their beliefs. Jake, Neytiri, and their children are forced to question their own faith in Eywa as they see what happens when people lose that faith. The Fire Tribe’s story is a warning about what can happen when people feel betrayed by the world around them. It shows how pain and loss can turn into anger and a desire for revenge, even against the natural world itself.
The Fire Tribe’s rejection of nature is not just a plot point—it is a reflection of real-world issues. Many people, when faced with disaster or hardship, may blame nature or turn away from traditions that no longer seem to protect them. The Fire Tribe’s story asks us to think about how we respond to suffering, and whether turning against nature is the right choice, even when it feels like the only option.
In Avatar 3, the Fire Tribe’s rejection of nature is a source of both conflict and deeper meaning. Their choices challenge the other characters and the audience to think about faith, survival, and what it means to be part of a community. By showing us a Na’vi clan that has lost its way, the movie explores the consequences of abandoning the bonds that connect us to the world and to each other.
