The Na’vi perception of space, time, and the unity of all things results in the concept of ‘Seeing’. To see just with the eyes and to See are two different words in the Na’vi language—tse’a and kame—which reflects the cultural importance of the distinction. The word kame is nuanced, with subtle layers of meaning that must be experienced to truly be understood. The Na’vi say that one cannot be taught to See.
To kame is to remind oneself to let go of past experiences, particularly negative ones, and perceive new stimuli, as if encountering them for the first time. When one learns to kame, pain and suffering are easier to bear, answers to burning questions are revealed, and fate guides the Seer to fulfill their destiny.
To kame is to open one’s heart to the world, with a childlike wonder. It is to connect to nature, and to each other, on a spiritual level. When Na’vi encounter or greet one another, they use the phrase oel ngati kameie, ‘I See you’. The meaning can encompass ‘I recognize and understand you’, ‘I See who you are’, ‘I appreciate you’, or even ‘I love you’. When one Na’vi asks another to See them, they are asking the other to set aside any preconceived notions they may have.
Oel ngati kameie is often accompanied by its hand gesture: a hand is touched to the forehead before gesturing towards the Seen individual, then downwards.
When a Na’vi hunter makes a kill, they say a prayer for the animal to honor it, which includes saying oel ngati kameie. An example of such a prayer is:
Oel ngati kameie, ma tsmukan, ulte ngaru seiyi irayo.
Ngari hu Eywa salew tirea, tokx ’ì’awn slu Na’viyä hapxì.‘I see you, brother, and thank you.
Your spirit goes with Eywa, your body stays and becomes a part of the People.’