Avatar: The Last Airbender completely took over as one of the best animated shows to ever come out in quite a while. Heavily inspired by Eastern culture, the resulting mishmash of different styles and motifs ended up creating what is easily one of the best series to have ever graced our television screens. The story of Aang and his group as they try and loosen the grip of the Fire Nation on the rest of the word is engrossing to witness in every sense of the word.
The detail of this world can be seen in every facet of The Last Airbender, with the Southern Water Tribe being a notable highlight in this regard. To put this statement into context, here are ten secrets about the Southern Water Tribe you knew nothing about.
10 The Southern Water Tribe Was Once Part Of Its Northern Variant As One Unit
While it might be hard to imagine, there was a part when there was just one Water Tribe that was situated in the North.
Unfortunately, internal tensions and differences of ideologies led to a bunch of chieftains and citizens abandoning the tribe and starting their own in the South Pole.
For the most part, this was a bold and risky decision that ultimately paid off in the end.
9 The Southern Water Tribe Prefers Not To Conform To Gender Roles
Unlike the Northern Water Tribe that functions according to the rules of a patriarchal society, the Southern Water Tribe is way more lenient and prefers not to block off roles on the basis of gender. This is why Katara is surprised when she is initially forbidden from learning waterbending in the Southern Water Tribe.
While this doesn't mean that the Southern Water Tribe doesn't conform to gender norms at all — Sokka's regressive attitude is a prime example of this — it must be said that the South is way more progressive than the North in Avatar.
8 The Modern Version Of This Tribe Lacks The Spirituality That Made Them Unique
The resurgence of the Southern Water Tribe after the Fire Nation was overthrown was much required, allowing this almost-defunct section of society to relive its glory days and build a new society from scratch.
However, while living in a modern world does have its benefits, development in a contemporary landscape meant that the unique spirituality of the Southern Water Tribe was hampered as a result.
7 Many Southerners Took Up Piracy To Put Food On The Table
During the time when the Southern Water Tribe was in a stage of infancy, their economy simply wasn't strong enough to give its inhabitants what they wanted.
This forced certain sections of the water tribe to delve into the notorious act of piracy to enjoy the lifestyle they wanted, with the most infamous group of them all being The Fifth Nation.
6 The Leader Of The Fifth Nation Tried To Become The "Guardian Of The North Pole"
The Leader of The Fifth Nation was a controversial figure called Tagaka. People were terrified of the sheer power he wielded on the seas, with his influence in the tribe skyrocketing as a result.
It reached a point where this outlaw tried to become the self-proclaimed Guardian of the North Pole. He would've succeeded in this endeavor as well, had it not been for the following turn of events.
5 The Fifth Nation Was Ultimately Defeated By The False Avatar
The Earth Kingdom has played a huge role in the development of the Southern Water Tribe, even though this isn't discussed in detail in the animated shows.
One major development they were directly responsible for was defeating The Fifth Nation. This was accomplished by an experienced Earth Kingdom squad led by Yun, a man mistaken to be the Avatar.
4 The Earth Kingdom Could've Offered The South A Loan To Aid Their Development
The influence of the Earth Kingdom on the development of the Southern Water Tribe could've been economical as well. After the defeat of The Fifth Nation, a leading politician of the Earth Kingdom — Jianzhu — suggested to provide a loan to the Southern Water Tribe and aid them in their stability.
Unfortunately, politics is a fickle mistress, and internal conflicts prevented this notion from being passed.
3 Another Portion Of The Tribe Relocated To A Swamp In The Earth Kingdom
The Fifth Nation isn't the only portion of the Southern Water Tribe that went rogue. A few members of the tribe who were exploring a swamp in the Earth Kingdom were so enamored by the entire area that they decided to permanently relocate to this area and form their own tribe.
Thus, the Foggy Swamp Tribe was formed — a tribe that has no connection to the outside world and is content on their own terms.
2 The Southern Water Tribe Would've Been Driven To Extinction If Aang Hadn't Been Unearthed
The constant assaults of the Fire Nation on a fledgling Southern Water Tribe prior to the events of Avatar: The Last Airbender turned the once-thriving hub of culture into a disconnected group of villages.
If Katara and Sokka hadn't uncovered Aang, it's very possible that the Fire Nation would've concentrated the bulk of their efforts into destroying what little remained of the Southern Water Tribe.
1 The Tribe Sits On Top Of The Biggest Crude Oil Reserve In The World
A huge factor that played into the resurgence of the Southern Water Tribe was the fact that they were sitting upon the biggest crude oil reserve in the world! This finally compelled the Northern Water Tribe to take an interest in the workings of their Southern compatriots and provide them with the support required to renew their society.
While the results of this integration might've been less than ideal — with the emergence of civil war and whatnot — one can't deny that having a huge natural resource right under them was a blessing in disguise for the Southern Water Tribe.