The Northern Water Tribe was the cornerstone of waterbending in the world of Avatar. At the beginning of the series, both Aang and Katara sought out this community during the first part of their journey to master the element of water. Located in the North Pole, this tribe is distinct from its southern counterpart with its traditions and way of life.
The community is quite vast when it was discovered in Avatar: The Last Airbender. There’s a lot of history with the Northern Water Tribe that we have uncovered, so take a look at these facts that we have explored.
10 It Is Ruled Under A Hereditary Monarchy
Much like native communities, the Northern Water Tribe was ruled under a system that is similar to a monarchy that is passed down by family. The head of the government is the tribal chief that can be either gender and rules over the community. When the next in line to the throne is given, it goes to the firstborn. Armed forces and political affairs are taken care of by the chief, gaining full control of the tribe. The leader can also set up martial law if necessary and banish anyone who causes harm to the tribe. There’s also a council that keeps things in check and offers advice to the chief when it comes to the interest of the people.
9 They Once Ruled Over The Southern Tribe
Since its formation, both the Northern and Southern Water Tribe were under a single rule from the North. Despite controlling the South, the people there were given control as the chief would have complete authority over the North. To keep both tribes in line and continue their relationship, the Northern royal family would marry someone from the Southern tribe. This would extend the rule for both sides within the ruling family. It wasn’t until the Hundred Year War with the Fire Nation broke out that ended up breaking contact with both tribes. After the end of Avatar: The Last Airbender, the Northern tribe would continue to rule over the South, but at a limited capacity.
8 An Avatar Was Once From The North
In previous cycles, the Avatar was once from the Northern Water Tribe. His name was Kuruk and he was the Avatar during a time of peace and prosperity in the world. He was known to be a gifted bender in all four elements, but his forward and self-righteous attitude was what made him stood out with is “go with the flow” aspect of life.
With the world in peace, Kuruk would step back and let the nations deal with their problems. He had his way with women, having numerous relationships during his lifetime. However, it was this type of thinking that caused him to lose his fiance, Ummi, to the notorious face stealer spirit named Koh. His death was followed by chaos throughout the world.
7 The Avatar Has a Spiritual Connection With the Northern Water Tribe
The Northern Water Tribe has been conceived as a spiritual community that believed in the connection between the real world and the Spiritual World. Aang and Katara were told of this spiritual link with the Northern Water Tribe by Princess Yue. There’s a forest deep in the tribe where many spirits have claimed as their home, serving as a portal to the Spirit World. The tribe has shown to be connected somehow with the Avatar through the spirits that roam in the community. There is also a Spirit Oasis that lies in the capital city of Agna Qel’a, where the ocean and moon spirits dwell. It is said that the water has some healing properties.
6 The Women Are Put In Arranged Marriages
In the Northern Water Tribe, arranged marriages are a common custom. When a woman reaches 16, they are at the proper age for marriage. Those who are betrothed are given a necklace to symbolize the union. The tradition is somewhat similar to traditional Asian cultures where arranged marriages were part of the tradition. Women were also not allowed to use their waterbending to fight, instead they would use them to heal wounds and illnesses. The rules of the Northern Water Tribe were more strict on the women than in the South.
5 Ice Is A Common Resource For The Tribe
In many of the villages in the Northern Water Tribe, much of the structures were built using ice. As ice is used through a unique style of waterbending, the community would use this technique to create ice in order to make buildings, walls, and other parts of construction for their towns.
The royal palace is perhaps one of the largest ever built using ice. Much of Agna Qel’a is built with ice since they preside over an icy cliff. Around the capital city are icy walls and a canal system that makes great use of the frozen resource to create a bridge to the outside world.
4 The Tribe’s Structure Is Influenced By Venice
While the Southern Water Tribe was influenced by the Inuit people, the North actually took cues from Italy with its many structures. The canal system in the capital of Agna Qel’a was inspired by the canals that are found in Italy. The bridges that connect the canal resemble the ones in Venice. While the people reflect the indigenous tribes, the cities in which they live in do take some liberties from European culture. In a way, they seem a lot more modern as a civilization than the South in some aspects.
3 The Northern Water Tribe Are Very Educated
At the North Pole, the people have studied in various subjects other than waterbending. They are knowledgeable in history, reading, writing, music, and a couple of other subjects. Since the females use their waterbending for healing and ailing illnesses, there are many medical schools and scientific institutions that have taught them these abilities. In a way, it’s kind of like the tribe has its own set of doctors and scientists to help in any kind of situation. They are also well versed in reading maps due to their knowledge of geography. With so much to learn, it seems like the Northern Water Tribe function in some sort of modern society.
2 It Is The Home Of The Moon Spirit
The birth of waterbending first came from the Northern Water Tribe through Tui, the moon spirit. Taking the form of a white koi fish, it is among the first spirits to cross into the mortal world in order to keep the balance for waterbenders. It is the root of these water powers, so without the fish, waterbenders would lose this ability.
Along with its counterpart La, Tui lives in the Spirit Oasis within Agna Qel’a. By using the moon, it is how the waterbenders learned their skill, so in a way, the Northern Water Tribe was the first to bring waterbending into the world as well as connecting to the spirit world.
1 They Have An Organized Military
The Northern Water Tribe has dedicated themselves to the art of waterbending with their warriors in the front lines. It is why the North Pole has perhaps the most organized military other than the South. By using waterbending, the men would use this technique to protect their people from outside forces. They even have their own war room in the nation’s capital whenever the chief and the council would plan out raids and hunts. They were very well defended through the use of man-made structures from ice. It is why they are considered a more powerful force in the Water Nation.