Lesson Two
The Water Tribes
The Water Nation consists of two Tribes (Northern and Southern) and a small swamp in the Earth Kingdom Territory. The Northern Water Tribe is located at the North Pole and the Southern Water tribe at the South Pole. A Water Tribe represents a group of people who practice the art of Waterbending, although the people that live in these tribes are not all capable of waterbending. The People of the Tribes are very peaceful people, who live in a complete harmony with nature and the surrounding spirits.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/8/6/12866746/363321502.jpg?213)
Members of the Water Tribe primarily dress in blue, with hints of white, grey, and brown, and often have Water insignias imprinted somewhere on their clothes, as you can see in the image to the left.
The economy and infrastructure of the Water tribes are also rather small, because it is controlled by the ocean and the climate surrounding it. In spite of this however, they have enough to supply themselves and live fairly comfortably. And due to their humble natures, they are content with their state of living.
The economy and infrastructure of the Water tribes are also rather small, because it is controlled by the ocean and the climate surrounding it. In spite of this however, they have enough to supply themselves and live fairly comfortably. And due to their humble natures, they are content with their state of living.
Northern Water Tribe
The Northern Water tribe consists of the biggest community of Water Nation people in the entire world. The massive walls of the city protect the inhabitants that live inside it, making it one of the safest places in the world. After the Earth city of Ba Sing Se (which you will learn about later!) had fallen, the Northern Water Tribe was the only remaining large city that was safe.
The City itself is entirely built of ice, including all of the buildings, architecture, houses, and even the Royal Palace. This is made possible largely because of the waterbenders that live within the city. Northern Water tribe is the home of some of the best waterbenders that exist. The tribe trains the waterbenders that live there, offering classes of Waterbending where students can learn from and practice with real masters and healing lessons too, since some Waterbenders have the ability to heal.
The City itself is entirely built of ice, including all of the buildings, architecture, houses, and even the Royal Palace. This is made possible largely because of the waterbenders that live within the city. Northern Water tribe is the home of some of the best waterbenders that exist. The tribe trains the waterbenders that live there, offering classes of Waterbending where students can learn from and practice with real masters and healing lessons too, since some Waterbenders have the ability to heal.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/8/6/12866746/782895412.png)
Royal Palace
The Tribe is a patriarchal monarchy with a Chief that serves as their monarch.
Before the Hundred Year War, the Tribe had extreme sexist laws. For example, women were forbidden to learn material Waterbending and were restricted to only healing. In addition, it was also traditionally the custom for women to marry young and to arranged partners. When a girl became sixteen and of marriageable age, they were often placed into an arranged--and often loveless--marriage. This all changed however, when Katara first visited the Northern Water Tribe. Because she wanted to learn waterbending from a real master and not just healing, she fought for her rights and proved her worth, causing many other women to follow suit.
Before the Hundred Year War, the Tribe had extreme sexist laws. For example, women were forbidden to learn material Waterbending and were restricted to only healing. In addition, it was also traditionally the custom for women to marry young and to arranged partners. When a girl became sixteen and of marriageable age, they were often placed into an arranged--and often loveless--marriage. This all changed however, when Katara first visited the Northern Water Tribe. Because she wanted to learn waterbending from a real master and not just healing, she fought for her rights and proved her worth, causing many other women to follow suit.
Southern Water Tribe
The Southern Water Tribe, located at the South Pole, is very different from it's sister tribe in the North. Although the city is also built from ice, it's population is drastically smaller, making it more like a village than city. It has a political structure fairly similar to the Northern Water Tribe, but with no monarch and much less sexist laws.
The best Waterbender in the World came from the Southern Water Tribe – Master Katara.
The best Waterbender in the World came from the Southern Water Tribe – Master Katara.
The Foggy Swamp
Unlike the two Tribes, the Swamp is a magical, spiritual, and very hot place. It is also small when compared to either of the Tribes.
The Swamp is actually only one large, old tree; it is believed that it is the oldest tree in the World. The People who live there are very and tightly connected the the nature, and respect in every way. It is not known that there are any economical or political standards, because they live as a large group of people, afterall their swamp was discovered at the end of the Hundred Year War.
The Swamp is actually only one large, old tree; it is believed that it is the oldest tree in the World. The People who live there are very and tightly connected the the nature, and respect in every way. It is not known that there are any economical or political standards, because they live as a large group of people, afterall their swamp was discovered at the end of the Hundred Year War.
The People of the Water Tribes are very dedicated and honest. Also, they have two spirit protectors; their names are Tui and La which translate to push and pull. Tui is the Moon spirit and La is the Ocean spirit. La gives life, while Tui gives power, and strength.