Tsko a'eoio (Bow)

A ceremonial bow made from shaped wood, chitinous banshee vanes, and animal gut for string, it is a true warrior's bow. At 2.9 meters long and 3.7 kilograms, its vanes are used for aerodynamic steering while hunting on the back of a banshee. Subtle movements of the wrist can steer the bow to stay on target, especially when aiming from an upwind to a cross-wind position, while chasing prey at high airspeed.

These exquisite bows are handed down from generation to generation and become powerful symbols of survival, continuity, and tradition. A young leader (usually an Olo’eyktan-in-waiting) must prove oneself with this bow during hunts or war in order to wield it later as a symbol of power.

When Eytukan dies, he passes this bow on to his daughter, Neytiri, with the wish that she, “protect the people.” This bow serves her well during the 13 years between the Battle of the Hallelujah Mountains and the return of the sky people. Unfortunately, in the heat of battle, the bow is broken during the fateful confrontation with Recom Quaritch and his forces aboard the sinking SeaDragon.