During Iknimaya, a young Na’vi must approach the ikran or “banshee” and snap the frond quickly so that it wraps around the creature’s snout and eyes. (It is this temporary blinding of the animal that gives the lasso its name, meresh'ti cau'pla, which translates roughly into “nothing to see” or “nothing in sight to fear so don’t worry.”) With the banshee momentarily disabled, the Na’vi is able to leap onto its back and connect the queues of animal and rider. In that moment, sealed by the subsequent first flight, a lifelong bond is established that allows the Na’vi and banshee to ride through the sky with elegant, seemingly effortless coordination.
It should be noted that an imprecise toss of the meresh'ti cau'pla has led to the death of many young Na’vi at the hands of an angered banshee.
It should be noted that an imprecise toss of the meresh'ti cau'pla has led to the death of many young Na’vi at the hands of an angered banshee.
