Much like the ancient campfires and hearths of old Earth, Na’vi communal fire pits, or ylltxep, are centers of clan social life. Ylltxep are not average fire pits, or txeptseng, which are temporary and lack the cultural significance of the ylltxep. Na’vi children grow up near the warmth of the communal fire and hear stories of their ancestors. Not all the discussion is serious. The cooks gossip about potential matings and joke about which hunter brought in the smallest hexapede.
According to Omatikaya lore, their ylltxep has been kept going, at least at ember level, for several generations. Even if this is not the literal truth, it is considered a lapse to have a fire that is not ready to quickly accommodate a successful hunt; the Na’vi believe that it is vital to honor the animal that gave up its life for the good of the clan. A fire turned to ash might indicate a lack of respect for both animal and hunter. Many of the tools used at the fire pit have ceremonial decorations to honor animal and plant life for its role in sustaining and nourishing the People.
Ylltxep range from three to five meters long, consisting of rocks arranged around a sunken earthen pit. Firewood is first charcoaled for use in the pit, and dried leaf fronds are used as tinder. Pits are usually an elongated shape so that the larger cross stones can be placed across the coals perpendicularly. A range of food is cooked over a ylltxep.